Is it possible to be a good Christian and a Buddhist? How about being a good Buddhist and a Christian?

Question

Let's take the first case under consideration. In my view, it is possible to be a good Christian and a Buddhist, because Christianity tends to be dismissive of the Buddha as a "mere mortal". The practical doctrines of Buddhism (the precepts and the Eightfold Path) are consistent with the Ten Commandments or monastic vows. The spiritual doctrines of Buddhism (Enlightenment, Samsara and Nirvana) are treated as mistaken, but essentially harmless.

However, it is my view that it's impossible to be a good Buddhist and a Christian. A true Buddhist would have to reject the dominance of the Holy Trinity (although not necessarily its existence), because it would imply that the teachings of Buddha were wrong. A holy being (deva or god) is still a subject to rebirth and suffering, and cannot be the ideal towards which people strive. Also, the true salvation comes only after a person dies and is NEVER reborn, which directly contradicts the idea of Heaven.

Any thoughts?

Answer 1

First of all I think many Christians don't really know what Buddhist philosophy is. To many followers of Buddhist teachings they see it as a philosophy to living one's life and not a religion. There are many Buddhist that do see it as a religion. Studying the teachings of Buddha is not worshipping Buddha as a god. Buddha never claimed to be a god in the first place. Buddha came way before the birth of Christ and Jesus taught many things that were buddhist philosophy and excepted truths for many of years. Buddhist teachings are very clear and understandable where as Christianity is based on Christ's teaching's which many are in parable form leaving endless debate over his true meaning concerning many issues. I know many people who follow buddhist teachings and are Christians and believe that Jesus offers the only way to true salvation. This is not worshipping a false god because Buddha was not a god. I feel studying buddhism has made me and others I know better Christians. I know some of you will find this concept hard to understand. I find people who study buddhism are more a peace with themselves and others being more Christ like in their walk than many self proclaimed bible thumping Christians. True Christians and Buddhist can co-exist together in this world because the basic teaching's of moral behavior is the same.

Answer 2

No. True Christians (as opposed to 'good' Christians) do not believe in any other diety or Holy Book. There is no such thing as a 'good' Christian, we are saved by recognizing our badness and accepting Christ's salvation. While a Christian can learn about Buddhism, and agree with it's general precepts, they will never be a 'Buddhist'. If they are a Buddhist, they are not a Christian. The 2 are mutually exclusive.

Answer 3

There are certainly synergies between Christianity and Buddhism - both religions teach the idea that we are not separate from our surroundings - Jesus through the apotheosis of selflessness, and Buddha through the idea that ego is an illusion.

I think it is possible for people of each religion to learn a lot from the other. But in the end, they are different religions. Other than by synthesizing a new hybrid out of syncretism, I don't see how you could truly practice both... which is why the monk, Thomas Merton, never really tried.

Answer 4

Buddhism had been around for about 300 years and was actually a really popular religion in Jesus' time. Much of what Jesus teaches seems to have more in common with Buddhism than it does with Old Testament scripture. Unfortunately both religions deviated so far from the original teachings that they now seem very different. Jesus and Buddha both preached that we are born into sin and that the only way to escape is through spiritual atonement. They both preached that we can have eternal life (Nirvana/Heaven). I'm sure neither one of them wanted little statues made of them and I don't think either one of them expected to be worshiped either. Neither one of them claimed to be a God but they both said that through them humans could find the way.

Answer 5

you will run into some problems, yet there are a pair issues you're able to observe of. there are various categories of buddhism, a lot of which mimic christianity exceptionally much to the letter and others that look exceptionally much pagan. In background, buddhism constantly welcomed innovations from different cultures and ideologies. answer: confident, you're able to be a buddhist and shop on with yet another course to boot. the vast majority of buddhism is with regard to the belief and reverence, no longer approximately worship, and is an extremely risky concept equipment. those are 2 quite a few issues.

Answer 6

A true Christian does not worship idols.
So being a Buddhist is not acceptable to
true Christians.

God send His Son Jesus Christ so we
could get to know God.

WAKE UP
Buddha is a graven image made by man.
That's right
they have to pour it in a mold,
or beat it to look that way.

Our God is a Jealous God.

I just Prayed for you.

You need to read
Exodus in the King James Bible.
Read about Moses,
and see the Movie
" The Ten Commandments ".

AMEN
CK PHILLY, That touched my Soul. :-)
I thank God for Souls like you
that have understanding of Gods Word.
We are growing in number.
It is written.

Answer 7

Don't claim either of those groups. Learn from both of them, practice the teachings and form your own beliefs. Kind of a hybrid of beliefs is what I'm leaning towards. Hey, if people can believe in Xanu and be happy I can't see why the lessons of Christianity and Buddism can't form another religion/belief system. Be a pioneer, Jesus was. Oh, so was Koresh. Good luck.

Answer 8

I am a Christian and I study the Bible every day (for about 10 years now). I can say with all certainty that you CANNOT be a committed Christian and follow any other religion. The deal with Christianity is professing belief in Jesus Christ as the ONLY way, the ONLY Truth, and the ONLY way to God the Father.

Answer 9

I think "good" Christians share a lot of similarities with Buddhists... but in reality Buddhists believe a lot of things that are incongruent with Biblical faith.

For example, Buddhists generally dismiss the high value we place on things of this world... including the Christian's obsession with good & evil, and converting those that need converting.

Answer 10

In Christianity, the Bible says "do not worship any other God's" You can be a good Christian but not both.