Looking for info on Buddhist/Christian teachings.?

Question

I'm looking into Buddhist/Christian teachings, and I'm not sure where/what to look for. I like the Christian faith as far as accepting and worshipping Christ as my savior, but I'm not very comfortable in churches (and I've tried many different ones) I also like the fact that Buddha's teachings don't reject homosexuals. Can anyone point me towards some books or websites that share info about what I'm looking for?

Answer 1

Here are two things that might be helpful to you:

First, check out the book "Living Buddha, Living Christ" by the Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh. This book describes how Christianity and Buddhism share common values of compassion and wisdom.

Second, check out the Catholic priests who have found wisdom in Buddhism. At least two priests have become authorized Zen masters (link below). And, of course, Thomas Merton wrote movingly about the core truth of spirituality found in both Christianity and Buddhism. Of his many books, check out "Mystics and Zen Masters."

Answer 2

Here's a few age-appropriate books: Kindness: A Treasury of Buddhist Wisdom for Children and Parents by Sarah Conover Buddhist Animal Wisdom Stories by Mark McGinnis Buddhism (Eyewitness Books) by Philip Wilkinson Prince Siddhartha: The Story of Buddha by Jonathan Landaw

Answer 3

Nitch That Hahn wrote several books covering this interface. He's a Buddhist monk.

Thomas Mertaon was mentioned. He found the two to be equivalent. He was a Catholic monk.

There is a Yahoo Group called Christ and Buddha that debates and wrangles with this overlapping space of these religions. And have a look for Tom Ragland, he wrote a book comparing the sayings of Christ and Buddha.

Its really amazing how similar the two religions are. Not that many people can see it.

Answer 4

Find and read everything that Fr. Thomas Merton wrote.

Thomas Merton (1915-1968) was a writer and Trappist monk at Our Lady of Gethsemani Abbey in Kentucky. His writings include such classics as The Seven Storey Mountain, New Seeds of Contemplation, and Zen and the Birds of Appetite. Merton is the author of more than seventy books that include poetry, personal journals, collections of letters, social criticism and writings on peace, justice and ecumenism.

[Edit] You are wrong about Buddhism and homosexuality. When asked about homosexuality and Buddhism the Dalai Lama has said that homosexuality is not allowed in Buddhism--but he has never explained why not.


The Fourth Step on the Eightfold Path is Right Behavior: "Do not destroy any living creature; take only what is given to you; do not commit any unlawful sexual act."

Nowhere in Buddah's teachings or sayings does he fully define what an "unlawful sexual act" is. So all we can get from this is that there are some sexual acts that are unlawful--and thus should not be engaged in. The question is then, are homosexual acts unlawful?

By the way, here is a point of agreement between Buddhism and Christianity. It is the action that is unlawful. Having homosexual feelings and desires is not sinful.

Answer 5

find the book 'Awakening the Buddha Within' by Llama Surya Das. If you want a good introduction to Buddism this is for you. Remember there are some differences between what the Buddha said and the Buddhist traditions which have developed since.

Answer 6

Ok Father K is a known biased dumb *** so don't listen to him.

First of all...Buddhism isn't a religion...It's a philosophy on life..You can be ANY religion and follow Buddha's teachings. I suggest you pick up the Dhammapada to start. Preferabally one with a good introduction and commentary so that you better understand it.

And honey I've been there done that with the christian faith and searching for churches and its always something.

Answer 7

The Vietnamese monk, Thich Naht Hanh, has written a couple of books that talk about the similarities between Jesus and the Buddha:

- Living Buddha, Living Christ:
http://www.amazon.com/Living-Buddha-Christ-Thich-Nhat/dp/1573225681/ref=pd_bbs_7?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198090368&sr=8-7

- Going Home: Jesus and Buddha as Brothers:
http://www.amazon.com/Going-Home-Jesus-Buddha-Brothers/dp/1573228303/ref=pd_sim_b_img_1

Thomas Merton is a Catholic Monk who embraced meditation and Buddhism.

- Mystics and Zen Masters:
http://www.amazon.com/Mystics-Zen-Masters-Thomas-Merton/dp/0374520011/ref=pd_bbs_sr_10?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198090797&sr=8-10

Wisdom Publications is a well established publisher of Buddhist books. They have a whole category for Buddhism/Christianity books:
http://www.wisdom-books.com/Subject.asp?PG=B&SHID=8&SID=9

Robert Kennedy is a Jesuit priest and a Zen master. He teaches at the Morning Star Zendo:
http://kennedyzen.tripod.com/

Hope these help get you started.

Answer 8

There is a lot of free information on here-

Answer 9

One has nothing to do with the other.