I'm Roman Catholic, and yesterday I asked about Buddhist Meditation, chanting sutras, and stuff like that and asked if doing this would be sacreligious. After hearing the feedback, I now have another question:
Are there any Catholic Sutras/Mantras/Something you meditate on and maybe chant? If so, what are there names? Then, are there any websites that I can look them up on and learn them?
If you want to get a better understanding of what I am asking, my question is still open on my profile.
2007-02-09 07:51:49 · 6 answers · asked by George 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
When I say sutras, I also mean stuff like chants and other stuff like that.
2007-02-09 08:43:59 · update #1
I read your other question before answering. I think we do have such things. I use the "Hail Mary" a lot and my rosary. Unfortunately I know so little about Buddhist terminology that I am not exactly sure what a Sutra is or if it is close to the same as our prayers and meditations. I do agree that there is absolutely nothing wrong with taking a meditation practice that you learned from Buddhists and adapting it to our faith. I also think that there is absolutely nothing wrong with making your own prayers/mantras/sutras up. God is really cool and in the end it is the thought that counts. Maybe you could modify a prayer that you know to suit your meditations.
2007-02-09 08:01:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Magisterium has put the word out that Catholics aren't supposed to engage in anything Buddhist... however... ahem... according to MY viewpoint, with respect for others, you could consider Jesus' teachings like the sutras. You don't need to chant or do mantras... but whatever helps you gain wisdom and altruism, I say go for it... and so do a few Catholic nuns and priests who still teach meditation in their churches.
Maybe my teacher Venerable Thubten Chodron's website will be of assistance? www.thubtenchodron.org
Hope this helps. Also you might try buddhanet.net Like many of our teachers say... you don't have to be Buddhist to benefit from the Buddha's teachings.
_()_
2007-02-09 16:00:24 · answer #2 · answered by vinslave 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am not sure what a Sutra is.
Catholics, especially Benedictines, practice Lectio Divina.
Lectio Divina is when you read a psalm and read it very slowly. You read one line aloud and then slowly keep repeating it in your head and something will come to you, go from there. You may need to do anywhere from 1-4 lines in a session of 15- 60 minutes depending on what comes to you. You could probably get a better explanation of Lectio on a website.
2007-02-09 16:02:30 · answer #3 · answered by Maurus B. 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sutras are unique to Indian (Hindu and Buddhist) tradition, to my knowledge.
I don't say that to be nit-picky, as I'm sure there are Catholic meditation phrases out there, but to help you in your search - you wouldn't find much looking for "Catholic sutras."
Check out Taize, a Catholic form of guided meditation.
2007-02-09 15:56:31 · answer #4 · answered by somebody 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try Gregorian Chants
2007-02-09 16:06:06 · answer #5 · answered by rbarc 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Are there Catholic sutras?
YES!
2007-02-09 15:55:20 · answer #6 · answered by whynotaskdon 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋