Sainthood is more like an honor after death. Enlightenment can be reached during one's life, so can change of heart. There is something like "complete change of heart." The Latin or Greek for this is "metanoia."
2007-12-10 19:28:59 · 9 answers · asked by ? 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
No. Please read the book the Lotus and the Cross, by Ravi Zacharias.
http://www.amazon.com/Lotus-Cross-talked-GrandesConversaciones/dp/0829743189/ref=sr_1_1/00292308230327265?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1175224945&sr=8-1
They are fundamentally opposing viewpoints.
2007-12-10 19:32:18 · answer #1 · answered by Last Ent Wife (RCIA) 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Having read one answer about Buddhism, I would say that most definitely 'change of heart' in Christianity has nothing in common with 'enlightenment' in Buddhism!
As a Christian, a person can believe sincerely in something that they have learned from The Bible, but at some point 'enlightenment' from The Holy Spirit can help them to see a spiritual Truth that perhaps was hidden before! It brings a clearer understanding about God, Jesus, or The Holy Spirit and Their Holy Word, The Bible.
'Enlightenment' in Buddhism, it would seem, is when someone has gone through a series of experiences that bring them to believe that they are above God! That is SO dangerous and arrogant!!!
As for 'sainthood' which is confered upon people after their death, that is a manmade award!
However, those who are followers of Jesus Christ ARE already 'saints'! They are fully human, make mistakes, etc, but have been sanctified by The Holy Spirit, because they have repented of their sin, accepted Jesus as their LORD and Saviour, been baptised in The Holy Spirit and use The Bible (God's Holy Word) as their final authority!
It is not a reason for arrogance, but rather a heartfelt thankfulness for the Goodness and Grace of God, through Jesus and The Ministry of The Holy Spirit in our lives, to make us so!
Love in Jesus,
Margi
2007-12-11 10:41:19 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Enlightenment in Buddhism can only be attained while one is still alive and if one has attained 'Nirvana' in a lifetime there is nothing else to achieve. Change of heart can not be equated with Enlightenment and sainthood is a man made institution that has got nothing to do with knowledge of truth that comes through enlightenment only.
2007-12-10 20:03:01 · answer #3 · answered by crewsaid 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a change of heart is a cold mind willing to enter a path begin to walk as Christ ..although i have heard reports of rapid transformation of Christians to a new life it is not generally so ,and a simple rebirth of will begins...as with enlightenment of the Buddha this is most often the one enlightenment of Gautama as true and full enlightenment refereed to ,but as individuals coming to enlightenment in modern Buddhism is also to understand the path as revealed by the teacher Gautama or a living master on occasion also some bud dist have as well held a greater enlightenment ..meaning revelations of the unknown path that lies buried in the wisdom of all the ancients and found by true seekers...so truth beyond the observed can be found as it is also written in the bible ..a true seeker of either path relents of self ego to know the truth unseen
2007-12-10 19:42:42 · answer #4 · answered by ronald j 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Enlightenment in Buddhism
-----------------------------------------
It is believed that deeds & misdeeds of a person remain stored somewhere and after death one has to take a rebirth due to unfulfilled desires gained in various actions. Every rebirth is painful as the life is full of sorrows,disease,death of near & dear ones. It is said that there is no God but the devil exists who makes everyone go into rebirths. The devil tempts everyone with desirable objects and situations & so everyone remains caught in the cycle of birth-death-rebirth. And the no. of worlds are many , the world of gods & angels (heaven) is also painful because it is not eternal, one has to leave after enjoying it after a fixed time. And there is also the world of sorrow in hell & of ghosts where one has to go for punishment.
At the time of enlightenment after a long meditation, the devil appears before a person and asks him to stop and in return tries to give him anything he wants. Even if he persists then the devil shows him various frightening sights in order to scare him. But if a person remains steady the devil leaves defeated. Then 3 things happen :
(1) That person remembers all his previous rebirths like a chain of movies & their causes based on unfulfilled desires or wrong actions.
(2) He sees rebirths of various other creatures and their causes
(3) He comes to understands that all his desires have been eliminated and there will be no further rebirth. He is liberated. Now he/she is free to do anything. He becomes an arihant. Arihant= Ari(enemy/devil) + hant (killer) i.e one who defeated the devil. He is now greater than any god. Gods/angels worship him and seek his advice. He/she can read thoughts of others, can look into past or future. Nothing is impossible for him as he/she is equal to God.
Change of Heart in Christianity
-------------------------------------------
I think this means conversion of an stubborn atheist/ nonbeliever/ wrong doer/ criminal to good person , a believer.
2007-12-10 21:07:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
not really. the concepts of the religions are completely different.
'enlightenment' would have more to do with an inner peace and joy of life. it is a personality effect.
a change of heart can be about a particular thing/incident/person and not about any effect on the personality of the person in question.
2007-12-10 19:34:17 · answer #6 · answered by sujata g 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"Change of heart" doesn't, to me, imply a clearness of understanding, or some kind of oneness with the universe that Enlightenment implies. Unless I'm not picking up on a reference you're making, it certainly doesn't seem like it on face value.
2007-12-10 19:32:25 · answer #7 · answered by STFU Dude 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Its another way of saying you changed your mind so no its not
2007-12-10 19:31:24 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
let's me think!!!!
2007-12-10 19:32:18 · answer #9 · answered by sawyer 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋