Christian Buddhist?

Question

Can you be Christian, AND Buddhist if you don't accept Buddha as a God, just a great teacher?

Answer 1

Yes I think so absolutely. I don't regard Buddha as a god at all. In fact, I don't see Buddhism as a religion, but rather a way of life. I enjoy the lifestyle very much. I don't claim to be a Buddhist Christian, because I'm not, but my girlfriend is. Very much so. I learn a lot from her. It's good to open your mind.

Answer 2

Buddhism does not have an atheist metaphysics, but it does deny the existence of a personal creator god. The gods in Buddhism are beings with incredibly long life spans that exist in the higher realms of subtle form. Their lives, like ours, are governed by the laws of causality and karma, and they are still caught up in the cycle of birth and death.

The Buddha is not considered a god, even by Buddhists. The Buddha is one who has completely escaped the cycle of birth and death. For this reason, he is called the teacher of gods and men, for even the gods wish to find liberation.

So to answer your question, yes, you can be a Christian and a Buddhist. Buddhism, at its core, has little to do with cosmology and metaphysics. It's about living ethically, developing your mind, and pursuing wisdom. This basic skeleton can be (and has been) fleshed out with any world-view that you like. As long as that world-view doesn't obstruct your insight.

In my opinion, Christianity has certain doctrines, as well as a certain attitude towards their doctrines, that precludes a deep and fulfilling Buddhist practice. Nevertheless, many Christians have found Buddhism to be very beneficial, and therefore I cannot say it won't work.

Best wishes.

Answer 3

Buddhism is an atheistic religion; the historical Buddha was not considered to be a god but a person who attained complete enlightenment and release from the cycle of existence (and you have to understand Hindu and Buddhist philosophy and mysticism to understand what this means.) Buddhism, like Christianity, is a moral religion--its doctrines espouse ideas about compassion and sympathy toward others and of selflessness. Superficially, Buddhism and Christianity go well together, but once you get very deeply into the dogma of one or another--and it also depends on which sects of one or the other you are dealing with--you may become tripped up by the dogmatic differences. Buddhism and Hinduism are much more similar than Buddhism and Christianity (Hindus, in fact, believe that Buddha was an incarnation of God). I tried following a form of Hinduism (Advaita Vedanta) and a form of Tibetan Buddhism. It ultimately didn't work and I went whole-heartedly and single-mindedly back to my Vedantist practices.

In all, there are practices, ideas, and techniques within Buddhism that may be inspiring and beneficial for Christians. Many contemplative Catholic clergy have an interest in Buddhist and Hindu mysticism and meditation. This does not mean that they are adherents of these Eastern religions; it means they respect them and find inspiration in them and some of their practices. You can do that, too.

Answer 4

You sound like a Jesuit, did you pass to Loyola or Marquette or Georgetown? you may nicely be conscious that the Jesuits have had basically slightly a run-in with the Pope over this remember. To over simplify the Jesuits suggested that because neither Obama nor McCain thoroughly believe Catholic coaching (Obama is professional abortion and McCain is professional war and professional loss of life penalty) then Catholics are left with a predicament. Can a Catholic vote in stable wakeful to end the war in Iraq and for abortion? Can a Catholic vote in stable wakeful for the war and against abortion? The Jesuits say those are valid matters for debate. The Pope, and a brilliant style of of the Catholic hierarchy, says that the abortion project trumps all others. The Jesuits counter that the Pope could then project an infallible coaching. Absent an infallible coaching that's an open question. As you may think, that argument did not pass over nicely together with his Holiness. The Jesuit-run information magazine u.s. now has a clean editor in chief. advert Maiorem Dei Gloriam

Answer 5

I would agree with that statement. Buddha isn't going to save you from sin but I think his teachings can help you lead a rewarding life and I have been able to understand Christianity a little bit better when making comparisons to the two.

Answer 6

buddha isn't a god so yes, a person can be christian and a buddhist.

Answer 7

Yes. Buddha was never a God. Buddhism is a philosophy that anyone can live by.

Answer 8

Buddha himself said he is no god nor any representative of god. He is a great philosipher, who saw things practically. He teached things that can be practiced. He never asked to pray him. And he believed and teached rebirth, its so because he saw humans as people filled with energy. So he teached these humans(energy) can not be destroyed, but can only be transformed into another shape.

Answer 9

Some Buddhist teachings go against what the bible says like reincarnation. So if you know truth deep in your heart, you will be able to see through any false teachings.

Answer 10

This is (probably) America and you can be whatever you want! (But it doesn't mean it's going to help you any getting into Heaven.)