Can a person consider themselves to be both Christian and Buddhist without compr

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   BobMongerposted 9 years ago

   Can a person consider themselves to be both Christian and Buddhist without compromising themselves?
   
   In their purest form the teachings of both Buddha and Christ for virtuous living are identical. The great difference, as I see it, is Christ's teachings on the Kingdom of Heaven-a subject The Buddha did not delve into. As he was dying (as I understand the tale) Buddha's disciples asked him, "Teacher, you have taught us all we know about living in this world, but what is in the next?" To which the Buddha answered, "How can I teach what I do not know?"  Was not Jesus the logical continuation of Universal Truth?

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   jlparkposted 9 years ago

   I'm neither, but I thought I would try and answer for you.
   
   I'm thinking that Buddha and Buddhist teachings wouldn't have too much of a problem with a person identifying with both Buddhism and Christianity. And to me, Buddha not talking about that which he has not experienced such as afterlife etc, is pretty interesting.
   
   Christianity has issues with 'worshipping false idols" - so, worshipping anything/one that is not the Christian as a God. So, I'm thinking that Christianity would have a problem with the "worship' of Buddha as a God. Particularly when Buddha is believed to have been a man, prior to his death, so worshipping a man as a God.
   
   I could be wrong, it's just my agnostic two cents!

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      jlparkposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Yeah true. Though, in the God thing - worshipping an 'idol' is just as bad apparently, even if they aren't considered a God. No one says that they have to combine completely...not all Buddhists follow all rules, nor all Christians.

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      BobMongerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Interesting, but not surprising, that my Christian friends have more of a problem with this than any of my Buddhist friends.

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      M. T. Dremerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      It's my understanding that Buddhists do not regard Buddha as a god. He is an example to live by, to help them reach enlightenment, but was never a deity.

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   Cruella Dvilleposted 9 years ago

   Oh!
   Why take life so seriously?
   Why take 'yourself' so seriously?
   In place of being earnest, just be a Hypocrite and to Hell with Buddha and Christ.
   
   Jesus Christ says ‘Seek And You Shall Find’ (Mat 7.7); but you’ll have so much more fun - playing ‘hide & seek’ with The Lord and dodging 'The Law' - or any other given authority or authority figure.
   For the female Hypocrite, Yogi’s and Yoga classes will enable you to join Shabba Ranks’ Trailer Loada Gyal at the 'Wharf’ when you get that 'Coca-Cola Bottle Shape’ - that ‘hour-glass’  figure you always wanted.
   For the male Hypocrite, you can be as macho as you want to be - because women are to subject to your authority.
   
   Hypocrites Play The Game Of Life by their own rules.
   The life of a Hypocrite is so enriching, productive and successful - until - caught!!!
   
   So Go On!
   Be A Devil!
   Don't Worry! Be A Hypocrite.
   
   
   Thank You!

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      BobMongerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      You have a very strange way of looking at life,the universe, and everything.

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      Cruella Dvilleposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Life is for the living. Jesus is dead,  Buddha is dead - Goodness Gracious! That's what matters to humanity & The Universe (TU). Religion matters to state and country.
      So as Homer Simpson says, "Doh" or in a young person's vocabulary "Duhh".
      
      Tha

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   Penny Gposted 9 years ago

   Faith….. To be faithful. I am a Christian and have no other God, Idol or anything that I would put first or worship , this could be money, fame even.

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      BobMongerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I'm a lay servant for the United Methodist church and as such I am also a follower of John Wesley and his teachings.  So what, for you, is the big difference?

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   WiccanSageposted 9 years ago

   I am neither Christian nor Buddhist, but I don't think they are very compatible. Of course, the western understanding of Buddhism is a very watered down version that is often thought can go with everything and anything. But Buddhism tenets seem to conflict with Biblical teachings.
   
   The 4 Noble Truths teach Buddhists that suffering is a result of expecting the world to conform to expectations, and that by eliminating your attachments and aversions, you can eliminate suffering.
   
   Meanwhile, in Christianity, you are supposed to strengthen your attachment to God/Christ/the Bible, and avert Evil/any contrary teachings. You are not supposed to eliminate these things, but reinforce them.
   
   Buddhism also teaches this journey to enlightenment comes through the self, and is attained over many lifetimes, and that there are many masters worthy of reverence.
   
   Christianity teaches salvation, not enlightenment (in fact, God attempted to knowledge from people in the garden of Eden), and you have one life and one shot in which to acquire that salvation, and it is only obtainable through Christ.

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   M. T. Dremerposted 9 years ago

   I don't think Buddhism and Christianity could go together. Buddhism teaches self empowerment and enlightenment, whereas Christianity emphasizes the inferiority of man with jesus/god as the only way to overcome it. Also, Buddhism does not worship any kind of deity (Buddha was not a god) and in that regard it could be described as an atheistic religion. Gods aren't important, personal enlightenment is. Christianity, on the other hand, can't function without theism.
   
   I think that there are aspects of each religion that one person could agree on, but if they adopted them all, they wouldn't be enough of either to be considered a Buddhist or a Christian.

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   BobMongerposted 9 years ago

   I really can't give a " best answer" to a question that, in all probability, will never have an answer. I thank each contributor for their input, both pro, con, and a few I'm not quite sure about-and never will be.  You have given me food for thought and opened a few windows that had been closed. God bless you all.

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