practising buddhism and catholicism?

Question

Is it possible for a person to practise both Roman Catholicism and Buddhism? Please note there is no god in Buddhism and we do not worship idols. They are used as meditation tools.

I am Buddhist, but for some reason, have found myself drawn to Roman Catholicism lately as well.

Answer 1

My advice: find something else to be drawn to lately.

Catholicism isn't something they allow you to cherry-pick. You're either in, or out... unless you're Opus Dei, then you're just ________.

Answer 2

You have theistic Buddhists and non-theistic Buddhist. Either way, it a philosophy that I found incompatible with Catholicism having practiced Catholicism for 27 years. The doctrine of the Church and the basic tenets of Buddhism will clash at some point. I do not say this to try and make you decide one over the other, I just use it as a personal reference point. I wish I could have combined the two but in the end, with Paulian Christianity, the two are extremely incompatible. I gave it a go and felt the logical choice was Buddhism with an honor for Jesus as a spiritual ancestor. Feel free to email me:)

Answer 3

Buddhism revolves around the yin/yang theory , I guess you could view God/Satan as the two. Only problem is, the Buddhists believe the yin/yang energies are combined in one being, not separate. The OT (Isaiah 45:7) does say God creates both evil and good. The satan in Job is not the NT character that is God's nemesis. The Catholics are based on the NT, which says the two are separate (which would be anti-Buddhist) but the OT God doing both would qualify. I think Buddhists don't believe in violence, which contradicts a lot of the OT. But, you could combine them to fit however you want...just don't go around preaching to others that they're 'wrong' in their beliefs and will be punished eternally for it. It is kinda insulting. Although, I am glad to say I have no fear that any Xian I know is going to try burning me at stake.

Answer 4

their is nothing stopping someone from practacing both,
buddhism may have no god as catholics do and the views may differ in areas but the main tenants of both buddhism and catholosism are the same such as the ten comandments and the eightfold path are very similare if not the same depending how you look upon them possibly omiting or adding worshiping god and no other, and working on a sabath comandments they are the same essentially.
also their are gods in buddhism but they are not seen in the same way as christians or other god/s based faiths see them their are christian practices such as meditation mindfulness to name a few which are compatible with buddhist and reciting mantras or other texts are compatible with catholism.
although i would discourage mix and matching religiouse practices some practices can be altered slightly or left the same between religions.

Answer 5

There are at least two Catholic priests who have received dharma transmission as Zen masters: Robert Kennedy, S.J., and Fr. Kevin Hunt (see the link below for more details).

The accomplishments of these men make it clear that there is no contradiction between Catholicism and Buddhism. One only needs a clear, spacious, and non-judgmental mind. This mind is fundamentally spiritual and thus forms the basis for all truly religious experience. Really, there is no name for this experience -- not God, not Buddha, not Mohammed. It's just -- this!

Good luck on your quest.

Answer 6

As you said Buddhists don't worship idols.
Catholics use "Idols" as meditation tools as well.

No i don't see any reason why you cannot be both Buddhist and Catholic. Buddhism is a Spiritual Practice not a religion unto itself.
The Japanese Mix Buddhism with Shinto, and the Chinese mix Buddhism with their Folk religion(s) and the Indians mix Buddhism with Hinduism.

I don't see why you can't mix Buddhism with Catholicism :)

Answer 7

Read a book called 'The Cloud of Unknowing.' It is the most amazing melding of Catholicism and something akin to Buddhism I have ever seen. It was written by an English monk in the 14th century. You can find it on Amazon. You might also look into the works of Dionysius the Areopagite. He is more neo-Platonic, but you might find thoughts of value in his work, too.

I have no trouble understanding how you can be attracted to both.

Answer 8

Yes it is. Buddhism and Christianity are not mutually exclusive. Some Christians may tell you otherwise, but this is because a lot of Christians have no understanding whatsoever of Buddhism, which kind of renders their viewpoint null and void. I really don't see how believing that human suffering is caused by materialism, and that ending our materialistic attachments can reduce and even eliminate our suffering conflicts with Christian teachings in any way. Jesus actually preached a very similar world view...

Answer 9

It depends, there are different types of Buddism, just as there are different types of Christianity.

Like most monotheistic religions, most forms of buddism DO have a divine being, but it differs in that it is in a sacred collective, a state of divine nature of understanding and compassion. This belief is incompatible with Catholic thought (including teaching on reincarnation).

Zen buddism, however, recognizes the benefit of enlightened living but lacks the strict doctrinal adherence to the divine nature of enlightened existence and allows members to disavow the concept of reincarnation. In this sense, if one studies zen buddist philosophy they can be Catholic as well, though the general forms of traditional buddism and Catholicism are non-compatible.

Answer 10

Catholics are not buddhist & do not practice buddhism. I dont know about buddhist eating pancakes. Purpose of pancakes in the catholic 's meditation: The main ingredients used to make these flat cakes are believed to symbolize four crucial elements at Lent: eggs for creation; flour for life; salt for wholesomeness; and milk for purity. Because the Catholic Church forbids the eating of meat and meat products every Friday during Lent, and because Catholics are required to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, it became common to make Fat Tuesday a day of feasting and celebration.

Answer 11

With respect and kindness...

If this is your concern, YOU should find the answer.
What good is someone else's opinion?

I will be a hypocrite and answer anyway...
I think that the bible may represent the truth, like many religious books. I do not think its a good idea to attach to the characters in the bible and worship them. Its better to learn from what the book teaches us. Worship the lessons you learn from the bible. See if you notice the lessons in your own life.
OR
Worship the characters from the book, if it helps you in some way.