I am into Buddhism but lately I am finding Catholicism interesting? Is that normal?

Question

Buddhism is very good but I still feel that empty hole in my life. Common people, just admit it, don't you feel that empty hole. Yet when I read about Catholicism, it seems that the hole is getting filled.

Answer 1

Buddhism and Catholicism are not at odds with each other. At their cores, both traditions point to the same spiritual experience -- call it Buddha Nature or Christ Consciousness.

It's like food. Some people love steak. Some people love sushi. Both types of people can get a full belly if they eat a good meal.

So I hope you can go deeply enough into one or both traditions to get a belly full -- this will fill the hole in your life.

BTW, there are at least two Catholic priests have have received dharma transmission as Buddhist Zen masters (see link below). The two traditions point to the same thing.

Answer 2

There are some fundamental differences between Catholicism/Christianity and Buddhsim. Here's one:

(1) Buddha: "Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it. "

(2) Nowhere in Christianity does it say we can exercise our own free choice without the punishment of hell.

(a) "I am the way the truth and the life; NO MAN cometh unto the Father (or heaven) but by me." (John 14:6)

(b) Most churches teach that hell is a place where sinners really do burn in an everlasting fire (unless they're Christian and repent), and not just a religious symbol designed to galvanise the faithful. According to Pope Benedict, hell “really exists and is eternal, even if nobody talks about it much any more”, he said.

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Very few people have problems with Buddhism. For some crazy reason they call it a thoughtful religion that respects different points of view. You'll find a lot more objections with Christianity for some reason.

Answer 3

The word Catholic simply means Universal. And the original faith is the closest to real Christianity.
As many Christian faiths are just now accepting that Christ is not taught with words, but Power!
Nevertheless, things were not to be revealed until now. Because if we knew how powerful we are as physical/spiritual beings. Along with human nature to be jealous and vengeful. We would have destroyed each other by now. The Earth is about to go through a major physical upheaval. And there will be spiritual repercussions. So what we accept and use now, will determine our chances of survival.

Answer 4

You probably feel a hole in your heart because you're not getting filled up on the Holy Spirit. You may be unfulfilled and maybe Buddhism is not filling that part of your life. It's not wierd that you're attracted to something that gives you more satisfaction. Follow your heart... here's a great website, www.gotquestions.org. God Bless.

Answer 5

Have you looked into other schools of Buddhism, like Zen, Pureland, Tibetan etc? These Mahayana teachings might fill your empty hole, and you are still on track towards Buddhahood enlightenment.

Answer 6

I will not give up my religion.

I am a Catholic...but I don't agree with everything.
Yet, I love alot about Buddhism..so I read about it...

There is noting that says you cannot combine the good you know from any religions.

Each religion is just a different interpretation of the Bible..and a bunch of man made rules.

If you are SPIRITUAL, follow your heart.

You can watch EWTN, talks about why people become Catholic..You can attend Mass.

Answer 7

Don't worry about what is "normal". Worry about what is right. For you. Both Buddhism and Catholicism offer good guidance for our lives. If Catholicism makes sense to you, as it does to millions of people, then go for it.

For my part (I live in Taiwan), I find that Buddhism is a bit too introspective for my liking, and some of its ideas are very strange and foreign to a western person.

Answer 8

I agree w/ tebone, Misty and all the other Catholics on here who tried to help you. Since they've covered so much of the Catholic faith, I won't really explain much more, since I'll only be repeating them. Catholicism was indeed founded by Christ, before he ascended into Heaven. Only hundreds of years later did Martin Luther revolt against Catholicism and its Church because he did not agree with many of its teachings. After him, many other reformers started forming their own churches and beliefs and claimed that theirs was the true church, when in fact, the Catholic church has remained universal in its teachings. Yes, there were errors the CC did, but every church, Protestant/Catholic, has made them. Don't listen to the Catholic bashers on here, especially Chris. And if anyone says that we worship Mary and the saints and not God, they really should look into the Catholic faith before they condemn/criticisize. The Catholic Church also has devotions to Jesus, such as the Divine Mercy Chaplet. If you convert to Catholicism, try going to the Latin Mass. It is very beautiful, has a more reverent form of worship, and it was the first form of Mass before Vatican II.

Answer 9

read Thomas Merton. Catholic mysticism and Buddhism are really quite compatible.
Remember, the Buddha didnt even comment on the existence of God or Gods. People of many faiths have been able to include Buddhist elements in their lives, I believe.

Answer 10

I am an atheist and a Buddhist, and I find Catholicism to be an extremely Beautiful religion.