My husband recently came to me saying that he wanted to practice Buddhism, but he still wants hold on to his Christian upbringing. I want to know if a person can practice Buddhism and still be a Christian, or should they just pick one and stick with only that.
2007-09-18 20:07:52 · 10 answers · asked by the_soulful_bohemian 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
well, it depends on what exactly your husband wishes to practice. if it's just meditation (dhyana) - no real problem in most cases for it's not much different from christian prayer. some schools, in my experience specifically tibetian, use during meditation mantras, which will confront christian faith, while say chan' (zen) meditation is just fine.
if say it's studying texts - i see no problem. many christian priests study quran, tora, buddhist texts, etc. buddhist texts, unless you take those of vinaya, generally do not declare any rules or dogmas to obey, so no problem with any other faith. plus, as historic writings, they are quite good. i can recommend prajnaparamita (diamond) sutra and lankavatara sutra. i'm sure there are well more of them, yet i can recommend only of those i've read.
trick is, when your husband studies buddhism more, quite likely he will visit church less often. buddhism is a different way of living & thinking you see. at least this happened to number of people i know.
good luck to you.
Mickael
2007-09-18 20:39:05 · answer #1 · answered by mickael 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If, by practicing Buddhism, he means practicing meditation and good deeds and loving compassion then I guess so. But it would be good to remember still that Christianity has a sole God as its key concept and Buddhism doesn't believe in such creative force.
2007-09-19 05:16:20 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. I know Christians who practice Buddhism. Buddhism is an education anyone can be versed in.
2007-09-19 03:11:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would think that by practicising Buddhism, it will aid him in becoming a better Christian.
Buddha never required anyone to worship him, so it does not go against the basic tenet of Christianity.
The Four Noble truths and the Eight Fold paths would also help your husband in achieving Nirvana, in this case, Heaven, as one accumulates the good karma.
2007-09-19 03:26:30 · answer #4 · answered by Dumbguy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry to say your husband is on the broad path that leads to destruction. The way to heaven is narrow and the gate is small. The only way to God is through Jesus Christ's sacrificial atonement on the cross for God and you. The only path is continual repentance and faith that says I will trust only in Christ to save me from God's wrath, and if Jesus Christ is not enough, then I'm going to Hell, but I'll trust non other.
Doctrines between Buddhism and Christianity are polar opposites. A buddhist Christian is an oxymoron, incompatible. Buddism believes that a person should remove desire through emptying everything so that eventually the practitioner be one with the cosmos and disappear. Christianity says fill your mind with God's words and think and believe and repent of your evil ways and turn to God to save you from God's wrath. Total opposites.
2007-09-19 03:29:28 · answer #5 · answered by Sam L 3 · 0⤊ 4⤋
NO!
A Christian should have unflinching faith in the Lord Jesus. Likewise, a Buddhist should follow the path of the Buddha.
If your hubby wishes to 'practise' Buddhism, then he ipso facto ceases to be Christian! It is also inadvisable for a "true" Christian to dabble with non-Christian beliefs...
2007-09-19 03:14:46 · answer #6 · answered by The Maulvi Who Sold His Maruti 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
They are not philosophically compatible.
may I recommend:
The Lotus and the Cross: Jesus Talks with Buddha (Hardcover)
by Ravi Zacharias
http://www.amazon.com/Lotus-Cross-Jesus-Talks-Buddha/dp/157673854X
2007-09-19 03:16:06 · answer #7 · answered by wefmeister 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Considering that Buddhists do not believe there is a god I wouldn't think so. But delusion is delusion.
2007-09-19 03:13:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
I believe he need to choice one because according to the bible you don't have to serve two Gods.
2007-09-19 03:22:47 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Don't worship Buddha and you should be just fine.
2007-09-19 03:12:58 · answer #10 · answered by Lacey 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋