Christianity & Buddhism?

Question

i was reading Being Peace by Thich Naht Hanh a while back, and he mentioned that he believed Christianity & Buddhism together could possibly be the future of Western religion, and together they could do many great things. Are there any other sources that go into more depth about this?

Answer 1

Pope John Paul II meet with the Dally Lama (Taoist I think)four times; since the death of JPII (we love u) ... Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu has continued the open dialog with the Dally Lama. Ah, since the Dally Lama doesn't get along with China ... well, we need bonds of friendship & open dialoge with these people.

There are many commonalities, and it's when we focus on what is common than what is different that brings a true dialoge to us.

Answer 2

Thay Hanh wrote two other books on the subject that are quite good: "Jesus and the Buddha as Brothers" and "Living Buddha, Living Christ." His Holiness the Dalai Lama is also very big on the idea of diverse spiritual traditions working toward a common good and you will find these thoughts sprinkled throughout such books as "Kindness, Clarity and Insight" and "The Universe in a Single Atom."

To correct an answer above, this is how you spell Dalai Lama. He is Tibetan, not whatever you called him. He does not hate the Chinese and has repeatedly offered to meet and discuss China's illegal occupation of the sovereign nation of Tibet on many occasions -- always being kind, polite and respectful toward the Chinese despite their destruction of hundreds of Buddhist temples in occupied Tibet and the murder by the People's Liberation Army of more than a million Tibetans, including some 100,000 monks and nuns.

Answer 3

In all technical means. Buddhism as it is known today predates an Abrahamic religion by a large margin, since in truth, it is "truth in the way things are". The Buddha who is most known for teaching is technically the third major Buddha. Christianity did not exist until actually after the proposed death of the CHristo and not in it's current form and writings till much later. No Abrahamic scroll predates buddha's teaching in this form. Before Christianity and it's claims, you were a Jew. Christianity did not exist. Even if you attempt to relate it. The question becomes, which is best for mind?

Answer 4

If and when Christians turn to the altruistic example of Christ, exuding compassion, patience and wisdom (some already are this way, others are not), the two can work together. That's what Buddhism's about, non-harm, not causing suffering etc. Many of his books and a few other teachers discuss this, but they mean working together in a way like two classmates from different houses work, not like both can be "meshed together" into one religion right now.

_()_

Answer 5

What he might be saying that the social consciousness that has its roots (somewhat) in certain developments of Christianity could be combined with the ontology of Buddhism which can be argued is more reasonable than Christian doctrine. These elements together might be powerful in the modern world.

Unfortunately, I do not think that this is a reasonable proposal given the realities of both Christianity and Buddhism.

Answer 6

I can see Buddhist working with Christians, but I often wonder if Christians could work with Buddhist. Having grown up SoBapt, i have a hard time believing they could set aside their preconcieved notions long enough to see the reality before them.
But, as a buddhist now, I would give it a shot.

Answer 7

Christianity could never accept the peaceful ways of Buddhism.

Answer 8

Proof that any wise person is still as fallible as any other.

Answer 9

Interesting thought,,,I'll have to read that book,,,thanks