Interesting turn of events...
buddhakai
Explorer
So... I was married for almost ten years. A few years into my marriage I discovered Buddhism, and felt that it saved me in many ways. I read and sought teachings and deepened my practice throughout the years. Ultimately, I ended up divorced. My ex-wife kind of lost her mind and ended up dating a mysogynistic, women-beating, meth-addicted psychopath. I took my two children and moved on with my life, leaving her to her own devices. Well, her father inherited close to a quarter of a million dollars and she's now trying to get some visitations with our children. My wife and I had starting going to a Christian church with our children for appearances a while ago. I am now employed by said church and have increasingly started to feel that between the people there that have lovingly accepted my family, and the seemingly undeniable turn of events that have benefited my family and I, that maybe there is something legitimate here. I was raised Catholic and lost faith in that establishment YEARS ago, but this feels legitimate. I fully believe in the Buddhist teachings, but now I feel that there may be a god. I feel that I'm being called upon to have faith and that there is a god, one whom I have denied for years. I still meditate on a daily basis and provide water offerings, but I wonder if god can exist in a Buddhist's life. I was so sure about what I believed after I found Buddhism, I still believe that meditation, karma, reincarnation, and the Dharma are the way, but I feel an undeniable draw here that I can't ignore. I'm immensely confused by this turn of events and don't know what to think of it.
Comments
Quite a few catholics have been involved in and interested in Buddhism, practiced meditation and mindfulness. Thomas Merton to name just one. No need to be conflicted, I know others on here will know a lot more about this than I do
Although that path is not for me, I found it interesting to read Thich Nhat Hanh’s Living Buddha, Living Christ, in which he draws a number of parallels between mainstays of the Christian faith and Buddhist concepts. It seems more than a few people do combine the two. Perhaps @federica will have a few things to say about it, she has mentioned in the past that she has some ties to the Christian faith.
I guess auto correct changed the heading to turn *off (of) events, which drives me nuts, as I'm majoring in journalism/mass communications. But anyway, I can't edit it so I guess I just want you to know that I know it's wrong ?
Moderator note: Have no fear, it irked me too, so no worries - I "helped"!
In all honesty, I do think they are quite different, although I know some traditional Christians (non-gnostic/non-mystic) who may have taken on aspects of Buddhist ideas or taken inspiration, or made their own thing.
One is about getting salvation from God/Jesus (or slightly different) without having to do much extra work (salvation is given once you fufill a few requirements). The other is more 'salvation' through more intentional doings requiring your own effort/input and not so much through a god figure as such (or well that depends exactly what you are practising already), the sort of faith that is required is different.
But if you are drawn to something, likely you may want investigate what it is as much as possible and why.. my view of such things in general quite negative, I do not think any external separate god is useful to look upon for several reasons as well as the contradictions in such teachings.
Overall you need not know labels and you find out for yourself what works for you, what understanding is. Be careful in seeking comfort in something, challenge yourself to find out what you are looking for, if anything at all.
Does this desire to believe come from intuition or from the external world?
Do you suppose an unconditional love would care if you are Catholic?
OM MANI PEME JESUS H CHRIST (Tibetan Mantra - sort of)
LORD BUDDHA HAVE MERCY ON ME A BUDDHIST SINNER (Jesus Prayer - sort of)
Here is how this has been answered previously ...
http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/15908/christian-buddhist
http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/16918/paul-williams-from-buddhism-to-catholicism
good luck - COD be with you ...
@buddhakai , cease your conflict. What you feel, see, perceive and follow, is what you feel, see, perceive and follow. Be of gladdened heart that you are covering all bases, so to speak.
Because Buddhism does not subscribe to a Creator God, or a Deity as a central tenet, you are quite free to be Christian and Buddhist, because Buddhism embraces whatever is in your heart and mind.
My personal opinion or view - and of course, if you disagree, it's perfectly all right that you do, I'm not trying to convince you! - is that you can wholeheartedly embrace Christianity and incorporate Buddhism completely, but you cannot wholeheartedly embrace Buddhism and incorporate Christianity completely.
Aty times, you may feel stirrings of conflict, or slight unease.
This is perfectly natural and acceptable, but always do what FEELS right.
Don't go against your instincts, or do something because you feel you ought to, or that it's expected of you, or to maintain face. Don't 'perform'.
Be true to yourself, because by being true to yourself, you cannot lie to others.
And please be assured, you are always, and always shall be, most welcome here, to share your views and experiences.
Outstanding answer from @federica
Metta, Maitri bhavana, compassion, friendliness, puja, meditation, contemplation, mantra can all be found in Catholic practice. Some Buddhists do such things too ...
... should keep your journey inward ...
http://www.frimmin.com/faith/lotuscross.php