When they think of the term "holy man" most people think of the Dalai Lama or Buddhist monks...?

Question

...and maybe Jesuits. But the term is hardly ever applied to American clergy of any denomination. We may think of individual pastors or priests as being very righteous, even holy, but we don't apply the term "holy man" to the Protestant or Catholic clergy in general. I have my own ideas about why this is, but I'm curious to see what others think. A pastor I know posed this question to his religion class once - he was very indignant that no one thinks of preachers as holy men!

Answer 1

An excellent book on The Noble Eightfold Path to Happiness is: 'Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness'
By: Bhante Henepola Gunaratana. He was ordained as a Buddhist Monk at the age of twelve in Sri Lanka. He earned a PhD. in philosophy from the American University and teaches courses on Buddhism at many major american universities. He lectures and leads mindfulness meditation retreates throughout North America, Europe, and Australia. Bhante Henepola Gunaratana is the abbot of the Bhavana Society monastery in West Virginia, where he lives. This background information on the author is helpful to know.

Bhante Henepola Gunaratana explains that the word 'Right' in Sanskrit and Pali {the languages of The Buddha) means 'Skillful'; Skillful to Perfect.

According to Buddhist Philosophy - there are levels of Happiness which a human being can attain by following the Noble Eightfold Path. Henepola Gunaratana goes into these various levels of Happiness, and explains that The Buddha taught that there is a level of Happiness which every human being 'can' attain which brings ultimate happiness.

'Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness' effectively encorporates Mindfulness into the practice of the Noble Eightfold Path in such a way that as we read this book - we realize that we can not understand and walk this path without practicing mindfulness moment by moment in our daily lives.

Answer 2

"Clergy" is a profession. It states nothing about the moral character of the person in question. Also, Protestants stress that we're all sinners and generally object to any hierarchies of holiness.

Catholic belief, however, traditionally DOES place its priests as superior to normal people in terms of holiness. Its one of the reasons they are expected to be pure and chaste - they are following a higher calling. They have, however, been playing that down of late (since Vatican II), particularly in countries like the USA which generally don't like hierarchies.

Answer 3

I can describe my Catholic pastor(a diocesan priest) as a holy man and i have met clergy of all groups that i know to be holy men and i have also met rogues in the ranks of most of the religious people i have know

Answer 4

Hi Anne!

I think most people do think of priest or pastors. but it sounds a little presumptuous to me. I am holy by the blood of Christ only. Even if I held some kind of office like that I would feel uncomfortable if people referred to me in that way.
If they said "the man who knows he has been made holy by the blood of Christ" that would be cool but a little impractical.
I think brother is a much better term.
As for that pastor who seems to want that title...
keep your eye on him. Is he laying his life down for others regularly, aside from the fact that he chose that profession?
To the degree that he is doing that, he may be worthy of the title.
I still wouldn't like it. but for sure we are holy in Christ!

Gypsy Priest

Answer 5

When I think of the term "Holy Man" I think of the Eddie Murphy movie by the same name.

Answer 6

i'm the only Buddha in u.s. and that i got here into my buddha hood without practising Buddhism. i grew to become into wakened at some point with the Buddha capability. It easily got here in at the same time as i grew to become into wakeful it relatively is very particular. i grew to become right into a born Buddha by way of fact i grew to become into the kali Ma in a prior life. i could be touched by making use of Buddhist priests and because i'm the divine mom i'm allowed to have toddlers as long because it relatively is with my soul mate. yet i'm the only woman Buddha who already had 3 childrens before getting into my buddha hood. I in no way reject presents the two. I easily have leather-based boots that are uggs and that they are fireproof so I the place them while it relatively is chilly or while i'm going to be going places with fireplace. i've got been gifted 2 pairs of them. i'm additionally allowed to do despite i want as long as i'm chuffed. it relatively is lord Krishna's rule for me by way of fact i'm his first born daughter.. I. Have had inner physique reports with different Buddhas and Lamas that purely get my permission before getting into me and technically it relatively is no longer bodily touching me yet they're nonetheless interacting with me from with in

Answer 7

C'Mon. Geoge Carlin is the only true holy man around today.

Answer 8

The bibles says God alone is holy.


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