Christians: Do you think you might be able to learn a thing or two from this Buddhist story?

Question

The Anger-Eating Demon

http://www.buddhistinformation.com/anger_eating_demon.htm

Before you criticize me for attempting to call you all hateful individuals, know that it is not my wish to generalize. However, much of Christianity does allow for equal retaliation and the belief that there is eternal torment for the non-Christians, and there are many who hate others who seem to be deep in "sin." This is so bad at times that some will even take delight in the thought that non-Christians will go to Hell.

What good is this thinking? This is not what Jesus taught. Should you not learn from his example and the example of other peaceful individuals, i.e. Buddha, Gandhi, etc?

Retaliation only begets more suffering, and your mind itself may do harm to you and others.

I'm not trying to convert anyone, nor am I trying to praise Buddha. I'm providing you all with a nice story that mirrors the teachings of Jesus, asking you to consider what Jesus REALLY stood for, not what people today might tell you he did.

Phaesk P: I have no idea. If you read the stories, though, he is anything but "huge." It might be a cultural thing.

sybil: Of course - I should not leave anyone out. However, the Christians claim to follow Jesus... so their actions should conform to their words.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to say that no one else should follow these rules. It's just that some are hypocrites and do not realize it.

I am glad that Christians are responding kindly and understanding the story. This is a break from all the fighting that goes on among the different perspectives in the rest of this section.

Bobby Jim: If you let go of your search for conflict, you would see that I am not saying this is true for all Christians, nor am I saying Hinduism and Buddhism are 100% peaceful. I brought Buddha and Gandhi, not Buddhists and Hindus. However, I must admit that I have never heard of Buddhist violence... but I could be wrong.

I did not say religion begets more suffering. I said retaliation does. Please re-read what I have written, because you seem to be imposing some ideas upon me...

Also, there is Biblical support for no eternal torment, i.e. Hell and the Lake of Fire (yes, two different things) are merely death, separation from God.

Sorry; that should read: "I mentioned Buddha and Gandhi," not "I brought Buddha and Gandhi."

WillRogerswannabe: Care to elaborate?

Graciela: Yes... it is very sad. We are all human and can learn from each other, but some of us like to either deny their own humanity or that of others and subsequently create a hierarchy that places themselves above those not like them.

Answer 1

I have long thought that Buddhism and a true reading of Christianity are not at all incompatible. If one views Buddha as a philosopher, instead of a religious leader, what he had to say is interesting, instructive, and compatible with Christ's injunctions.

One of the biggest issues confronting "the Church" in the United States- and by the Church- I am referring to the overall group of people who self-identify as believers in Christ, is the idea that all sins are not equal, and some of them need to be singled out for greater approbation. When I refer to "the Church," I am referring to the organization of people who call themselves believers, not to people who actually put Christ's injunctions into action and live a christian life.

I find it particularly galling, as a Christian, that certain people who identify themselves as such, want to impose their version of "religion" (religion is the organized practice of faith as opposed to the faith itself) on others regardless of legitimate disagreements about the manner, means and logic of such imposition. Christ called for humility in dealing with others, and the opposite seems to be the case in the case of many evangelicals...

Another thing that bothers me, is that while these people want to impose public displays of religious relics (displays of the 10Cs for example) they turn around and ignore many of the injuctions in their relics... for example, I seem to remember in the 10Cs something about thou shalt not covet, and yet we've built an economy around coveting what others have, another about not worshipping graven images, and yet many evangelical Churches pledge allegiance to a flag, when a reasonable interpretation would be that this would constitute pledging allegiance to a graven image.

The problem that you have is that many self-professed Christians do not lead lives in line with the beliefs that they profess. The best way for Christians to move people is by the example of the lives they lead rather than by professions of believing in something then acting in a manner that gives lie to their words of affirmation of their faith.

Answer 2

"What good is this thinking? This is not what Jesus taught. Should you not learn from his example and the example of other peaceful individuals, i.e. Buddha, Gandhi, etc?"

Not all Buddhists and Hindus are peaceful people. Why do you point to Christianity as a violent faith when it is only some members of the Christian faith that tend to violence? Jesus Christ always taught peace and contentment within our own situations. The only displays of anger He showed were when faith was used to manipulate and control the people.

How are political relations along India's northern border with its neighboring countries. Is not the Hindu religion the national religion of India? Which of its 6 million+ gods are responsible for the lack of peace and tranquility, and the violent nature of its army along the border? Which of the gods is responsible for the killings and persecution of Christian missionaries in India's Eastern Provinces?

According to the Christian faith, Buddha and Gandhi are in hell, and not in peace at all. By not choosing Jesus, they reject faith in Him who we believe to be God. This may sound harsh, but no one coerced them to reject Jesus

If religion begets more suffering, then look to the starvation and poverty that keep India and Southeast Asia as members of the elite group of Third World Countries. Look in the streets of Calcutta and Bombay where suffering humans are avoided and stepped over, and left to die, rather than get the help they need. If religion begets more suffering, then "Physician, heal thyself."

Answer 3

That was a wonderful story. I could use that moral in my own life when little things make me angry. Anger never helps a situation resolve. That is what upsets me about some Christians that portray their God as an wrathful monster flinging teenagers into hell for premarital sex, kind humanitarians who don't believe in God, or depressed people who self medicate with alcohol and drugs. A God should be above such cruel and unusual punishments. Jesus himself did not act like an angry god burning people alive for their mistakes. He just wanted people to learn from their mistakes. The angry, vengeful God portrayed by some churches would make that anger eating dragon need gastric bypass surgery. What a terrible thing to make of a religion which was supposed to be based on love.

Edit: Yes, Morath you are right. Anything that makes people view the world as us vs. them is not a good thing in my book. We are all humans deserving of love and compassion just for being human.

Answer 4

Already have from studying other religions it is clear when God Almighty incarnated he made sure all peoples beliefs where in the Bible so all could be saved. This is why Jesus teachings are like Buddha's and he let himself be tested in the desert by the devil as Buddha was tested by Maya under a tree.

Answer 5

I think it's a very good story. However, I do believe it goes with what Jesus taught. Christians did torture others because of their unwillingness to conform, but they were not following the teachings of Christ. Christianity, like many religions, has corruption in its past. Christ and Buddha actually had very similar teachings, and I would like to think they both love each other and that Christians and Buddhists can look past the little differences and see that we actually hold the same virtues close to our hearts, such as this one.

Answer 6

Im a christian and i never thought that my religion stood for that, and if it did, id have no part in it! I always thought that christianity was a way of life, that if you conducted yourself in a wholesome, truthful manner, that we would go to heaven.

And that those who didnt necessarily believe in god, so long as they didnt murder anyone etc... cos they were not informed or educated in the way of god, it wasnt their fault, so they end up in heaven..... if this is the only religion....

Answer 7

Its funny that story find of reminds me of Jesus's teaching love your enemy, or love your neighbor as you love yourself. A (TRUE) christian does not hate anyone even in sin. Jesus dined and hung out with sinners, showed them love. That is how you spread your faith. I also find what you have asked to be true, i know of Christians that pray that (god do something to them they have offended me) that is not gods will. It should break every Christians heart that someone goes to hell, if it breaks are gods heart it should break ours.

Answer 8

Buddha is the Prophet of THE LORD GOD to the enlightened peoples as Mohammad is the Prophet of THE LORD GOD to the Islam faith; THE LORD JESUS CHRIST is the Prophet to the Christians but the highest among all the Prophets called THE ALFA AND THE OMEGA. Thus, Matthew is a Prophet to the Kingship of THE LORD JESUS CHRIST; as Mark the gospel writer is the Prophet among the peoples; as John (of the book of Revelation) is the Prophet to the Omega;as Luke the gospel writer is a Prophet to the workers of the LORD GOD; as Isaiah is the Prophet to the new Earth and the New Heaven; as Jeremiah is the Prophet to the keeper of the throne of David;as King David is a Prophet to the divine monarchy of men, Daniel is the Prophet of the Kingdom of heaven; Zechariah is the Prophet to the 2nd coming of THE LORD JESUS CHRIST; Paul is the Prophet to the non-jews or gentile peoples; Abraham is the Prophet of all nations; Jacob is the Prophet to the house of GOD; as Zoroaster is the Prophet to the Zoroasterism; as Bahai is the Prophet to the Bahai's peoples, etc. THANKS GOD; FEAR GOD; PRAISE GOD; GLORIFY GOD; HONOR GOD; LOVE GOD AND WORSHIP GOD. Pls visit my website-THEGOODNEWSOFTHEKINGDO

Answer 9

As a Christian, I think anyone could learn something from this story. It is a great morality tale. And, personally, I have great respect for most other religions.

Answer 10

i do agree to some extent. i follow Christs teachings very closely. i would never go to war. or pick sides i do have some bouts of anger but i try to keep them in check. i don't like generalizing a category of people although we all do it at times.