Christianity is based on believe that Christ being our saviour, right? Buddhism is based on Karma and it's more of a way of life than a religion. So Can I be both?
2007-03-29 16:17:33 · 16 answers · asked by mozart8 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Short answer: yes. I believe that many of the "nay sayers" above are confusing the issue of whether or not Buddhism is a religion. We could argue this point all day long until we are blue in the face, but I do not see Buddhism as a religion, but a philosophy.
It is difficult for most Westerners (I am American myself) to see the Buddha as anything but a God. In fact, Buddhists do not consider the Buddha a God, but a role model (for lack of a better description).
I do not see why one cannot believe in God and Jesus and also follow Buddhist philosophy. An answer above mentioned a book entitled "The Lotus and the Cross." I have not read this book and so I can not comment on it, but I have read a few other books concerning blending Christianity and Buddhism and both Buddhist monks and Catholic priests seem to agree that the two are compatible.
That is not to say that there are not those on both sides who feel that they cannot be practiced together. You must decide this for yourself. I suggest taking a look at this short article http://www.frimmin.com/faith/lotuscross.html
I myself am caught in a similar paradox. I believe in a Christian God and appreciate the teachings and ideas of Buddhism. In addition, I think I am more inclined towards science than most Christians. In short, I am not quite sure where I stand. So, if it makes you feel better, you are not alone.
2007-04-01 09:12:41 · answer #1 · answered by btmead21 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Can you be black as well as white?
Buddhism by definition is a dharmic, non-theistic religion, which is also a philosophy and a system of psychology, and is considered a major world religion. (wikipedia definition)
As well as being non-theistic it has teachings such as re-incarnation which directly contradict the teachings of the Bible.
Buddhist teaching through the 'four noble truths' and the 'noble eightfold path' is all about self - self enlightenment, self help if you like, whereas Christian teaching would be that all have sinned, all are helpless in this situation without God.
Buddhist teaching would, loosely speaking, suggest that by our own efforts we could, for example follow the 10 commandments, through discipline of self and our minds, yet as Christians we know that we all fail and as such are in need of God's forgiveness.
As a way of life/lifestyle for a Christian, in my opinion, there are no better guidelines than that which, for example, is contained in the sermon on the mount.
Also if we study the sermon on the mount we will very quickly realise that this is not something that we can do, in and of ourselves, but rather we need the power, leading and influence of The Holy Spirit in and through our lives, in other words a total dependence on God and God alone.
So in my humble opinion, no the two are not compatible for the above mentioned reasons and more.
I hope this helps
JB
2007-03-29 16:47:00 · answer #2 · answered by J B 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You sound like a Jesuit, did you bypass to Loyola or Marquette or Georgetown? you are going to be able to word that the Jesuits have had in simple terms a splash a run-in with the Pope over this rely. To over simplify the Jesuits reported that via fact that neither Obama nor McCain thoroughly believe Catholic coaching (Obama is professional abortion and McCain is professional conflict and professional loss of life penalty) then Catholics are left with a seize 22 issue. Can a Catholic vote in stable wakeful to end the conflict in Iraq and for abortion? Can a Catholic vote in stable wakeful for the conflict and against abortion? The Jesuits say those are valid subjects for debate. The Pope, and various of the Catholic hierarchy, says that the abortion subject trumps all others. The Jesuits counter that the Pope ought to then subject an infallible coaching. Absent an infallible coaching that's an open question. As you may think of, that argument did no longer bypass over properly together with his Holiness. The Jesuit-run information magazine u.s. now has a clean editor in chief. advert Maiorem Dei Gloriam
2016-11-24 22:55:11 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If u live according to the Buddhist way of living, if u understand the concepts well,why should u afraid to become a Buddhist.
Christianity is very different from Buddhism.
2007-03-31 06:47:33 · answer #4 · answered by Shehan 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
surely you can: the concept of Buddhism is not to convert you but to save you from suffering. Even though, some principles of Buddhism may conflict with Christianity: for ex: Christianity doesn't have the notion of reincarnation into new life... so that you may have to compromise these two if you want to be both!
2007-03-29 17:59:17 · answer #5 · answered by holyfire 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Honey, you can be anything you want to be. I do think if you
follow them both (sincerely) and at the same time, you will
have inner and outer conflicts. I do believe in Kharma, and I'm
a Christian. Kharma is nothing more than--whatever you put
in the universe will come back to you. Jesus taught the same
thing. "whatever seed you plant, that's the seed you will
harvest (only it will be multiplied.) This covers the GOOD things
you do- and the BAD things.
2007-03-29 18:02:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Buddha never denied the existance of a God. He taught a way of life just as Jesus did but 600 years earlier. You can follow the teachings of the Buddha and still believe in a God if that is your choice
2007-03-29 16:54:14 · answer #7 · answered by Buck 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no need to label yourself. It's your life, do whatever makes you happy.
Go to church on Sunday and the Zen temple on Monday, for as long as you feel like doing it, if that's what makes you happy.
When someone asks you what religion you are, you don't even have to answer. Tell them your all and nothing, whatever. Don't take your self to seriously, or allow other people to define you.
2007-04-01 11:37:45 · answer #8 · answered by Teaim 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can. There are many people who are Christian and follow the Buddhist philosophy. The teachings of Jesus and Buddha are very similar.
2007-03-29 16:24:05 · answer #9 · answered by Justsyd 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, For you cannot serve both God and Money. So you cannot serve to master's. You have to make a choice. There is a verse in the Bible. Do unto other's as you would have them do unto you. And no you can't be both religion's.
2007-03-29 16:50:44 · answer #10 · answered by jrealitytv 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋