Christian Buddhists: How can you be a Christian and Buddhist at the same time?

Question

Aren't they mutually exclusive, since Christianity is a theistic religion, and Buddhism is a non-theistic religion? How can you possibly reconcile the two?

I can certainly see the connections between Buddhism and esoteric Christianity, in terms of the enlightenment experience, but one experience is the "Void" and one is a loving "God", which are different in themselves.

So how to reconcile?

Answer 1

*smile*

Answer 2

Since you don't have to believe in any doctrine or creed to be a Buddhist, many people wouldn't describe Buddhism as a religion. Rather, Buddhism might best be viewed as a practice. We practice meditation, chanting, and other techniques to help our natural wisdom and compassion emerge in daily life.

Some Buddhists also maintain religious faith. Just this morning I had coffee with a long-time Zen student who is very active in a local Catholic church. Indeed, some Catholic priests are also recognized Zen masters. Again, Buddhism does not require any faith of its followers -- just practice.

On the other hand, some Christians maintain that Buddhism involves worship of false idols or other practices that contradict the teachings of Jesus. They're wrong, of course, but they still condemn those who mix Buddhism and Christianity.

After Jesus was baptized, he went into the desert for 40 days and nights. A retreat. And during this time he attained something because when he returned, he was completely different and began to teach people.

So Christians might ask themselves how they can attain this "Christ Consciousness" -- the spacious, open mind that Jesus brought into this world. Enlightened Buddhists recognize Jesus' mind, as exemplified in his teachings, as very similar to their own. It's a mind filled with compassion for all beings, generous to all suffering creatures, and wise in understanding how to help.

So how to reconcile? Attain Jesus' mind, attain Buddha's mind. Then you'll understand.

Answer 3

In Buddhism, it's important to start where you are. People will practice according to their level of understanding.

Buddhism is open to many religious beliefs, while at the same it forces you to question all of them. For some, Buddhism is a noble, non-theistic way of life. For others, Buddhism helps them become better theists. It depends on a persons level of commitment to their chosen belief system.

Ultimately, in Buddhist terms, God is irrelevant to the goal of Buddhist practice: the elimination of existential suffering.

Answer 4

The two religions can co-exists in harmony with mutual respect.

Nonetheless, Buddhism teaches two main path:
(1) the worldly path by practicing good acts so that one remain as human or heavenly being;
(2) the Nirvana path by realizing the three law: (1) all things are impermanent, (2) all things lack inherent existence (no-self), (3) and that nirvana is perfect quiesence. It is attained via Prajna Wisdom.

You can mix the first path with Christianity to a certain extent (or other religions as long as you do not violate good acts), but not the second path.

Answer 5

I think of myself as a Christian Buddhist. I can reconcile the two, and I don't regard them to be mutually exclusive.

I don't see Buddhism as non-theistic, it simply and wisely restricts itself to a universe within mans reasoning, choosing to leave the unanswerable questions unanswered.
The 'loving God' of Christianity is the faith of the Church and belief in the Word of God through Christ. In today's questioning world it is easy to loose the strength of Christian faith in the triviality of historic fact. What does it matter how long Methuselah lived, or whether Mary was a virgin, or indeed whether Christ rose from the dead?

Christianity could gain from Buddhism recognition that "desire" not the "devil" is the cause of suffering, and Buddhism could gain from Christianity recognition that man is not his own master, but what else? In practical life there are few differences. We share common ethical codes, we comfort the weak, and we are a constant reminder to the powerful of their frailty.

Answer 6

Buddhism is actually a very varied system of beliefs. Mathayana Buddhism (I'm pretty sure I spelled that right...) has Buddha as a deity, and so no, it probably wouldn't be possible to be both a true Christian and a true Buddhist. But Theravada Buddhism looks at Buddha's way of life as an example... they don't see him as a deity, but they see him as sort of a non-holy Jesus. It would be possible to be both Christian and Theravada Buddhist. There is also Zen Buddhism, which is more about peace of mind than any sort of deity... so I imagine it would be possible for Christianity and Zen to combine, too.

It all depends on what you want to believe... Buddhism is an amazingly tolerant system.

Answer 7

in case you formally convert to Christianity via transforming into to be a member of a particular team, they are going to probable discourage you from practising specific "religious" factors of Buddhism. yet maximum of them won't have a difficulty with you accepting the effort-free tenants of Buddhist philosophy. despite the fact that, in case you in basic terms come to a determination to income and prepare Christianity on your very own (without transforming into to be a member of a particular team), there is not any reason which you would be able to no longer do the two. Protestant Christianity is less complicated to connect, demands much less useful dedication, and includes much less dogma. mockingly, despite the fact that, Catholic Christianity will certainly be closer to Buddhism, particularly interior the experience that many Catholic saints have direct correlations in Buddhism. Your connection with Guan Yin, as an occasion, is at abode in Catholicism, yet Protestants do no longer venerate the Virgin Mary.

Answer 8

Does being a Christian and a Buddhist at the same time make you a better person? If so, go for it.

At the very least the inner struggle ought sharpen your understanding of what it means to be Christian and what it means to be Buddhist -- that ain't half bad!

Answer 9

You really can't...unless you ignore the basic tenets of both faiths.

Some Christians are impressed with the outward tranquility of Buddhists, especially Buddhist monks, as they strive to get beyond earthly suffering and misfortune through meditation.

But the Christian faith has always viewed suffering as a reality of life on earth, embracing suffering as God-sent for the purpose of showing our patience and our compassion (love). Wouldn't it be easy to pretend to be loving if there was no suffering in life?

Answer 10

I'm going to recommend two books, one from a Buddhist perspective, and one from a Christian perspective:

http://www.amazon.com/Living-Buddha-Christ-10th-Anniversary/dp/159448239X

http://www.amazon.com/Zen-Birds-Appetite-Thomas-Merton/dp/081120104X/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b/002-9708745-0555206

You're right that there are differences. But they are, properly interpreted, COMPATIBLE differences, and that is the key. Buddhism is at its core about bringing mindfulness into our daily experience. Christianity is at its core about the transcendent-immanent nature of the Divine. The thing is, you have to be able to apply mindfulness to the teachings and doctrines, and find out why they teach what they teach, and not get bogged down in "dogmas" or "notions."

Peace to you.

Answer 11

Generous, balanced life, peaceful mind, and patience are the idea of Buddhism. There isn't really any idol to worship or believe in Buddhism.

I don't see any conflict between Buddhist and christian.

What else? you don't' have to believe in anything in order to go to heaven in Buddhism.