Buddha and Jesus: Could Solomon Be the Missing Link? (41 page)
Read Buddha and Jesus: Could Solomon Be the Missing Link? Online
Authors: R. E. Sherman
Q: What are some ways that Christians could stand to learn from Buddhists, and vice versa?
Buddhism and Christianity are both deep and comprehensive religions, and followers of each could stand to learn much from one another, regardless of whether or not they are trying to somehow merge the two in practice. For example, most Christians could stand to benefit from the example of Buddhists in terms of:
- A more tolerant, respectful attitude toward those with different beliefs.
- A range of proven practices in meditation.
- A deeper respect for the environment.
- A commitment to practicing self-denial.
Correspondingly, most Buddhists could benefit from the example of many Christians in:
- Being more liberal in actively helping people in need.
- Going beyond adhering to nonviolence and forbearance to giving and receiving mercy, grace, and forgiveness.
- Drawing upon empowerment provided by an all-powerful God who loves them and desires to bless them.
Can Someone Be a Buddhist and a Christian at the Same Time?
Chapters Eleven
and
Twelve
compared the beliefs of conservative Buddhists and conservative Christians. From that analysis, we concluded that it really is not possible to be both at the same time. But what about other pairings, such as:
. . .A liberal Christian and a liberal Buddhist?
. . .A liberal Christian and a conservative Buddhist?
. . .A New Age believer in “Christ consciousness” and a Buddhist?
By considering possible answers to frequently asked questions, we will explore the degree of compatibility (or incompatibility) of each of these pairings.
What of liberals from both religions? There is a wide spectrum of beliefs and practices among liberals in Buddhism and Christianity, making comparisons uncertain. Nevertheless, an analysis is attempted below.
Q: What are the primary differences between conservative and liberal Buddhists?
Huston Smith
19
summarized the two great branches of Buddhism by making a series of comparisons.
A Theravada (Conservative) Buddhist is quite existentialist, focusing on the individual self being alone in the universe and seeking emancipation by self-effort. A Mahayana (Liberal) Buddhist is much more relational in his or her thinking and acting. For the Theravada Buddhist, religion is a full-time preoccupation, typically as a monk, and the key focus is wisdom. For the Mahayana Buddhist, religion is very applicable to life in this world and is helpful not only to the monk but also to the common person.
For the Theravada Buddhist, Buddha was a saint, while to the Mahayana Buddhist, Buddha was a mystical being. The Theravada Buddhist avoids focusing on metaphysics (i.e., the nature of reality) and downplays ritual, confining prayer to meditation. The Mahayana Buddhist focuses quite a bit on metaphysics and rituals and includes prayers for various personal concerns as part of his or her practice.
Clearly, Mahayana Buddhists are much more similar to Christians than are Theravada Buddhists.
Q: What are the primary differences between conservative and liberal Christians?
Christians also tend to fall into two categories: conservative and liberal. From the chart below, it is obvious that there are major differences between them.
Conservative | Liberal |
| |
The Bible is to be taken literally whenever possible. | Much of the Bible should be taken figuratively. |
The Bible provides us with a completely accurate, representative account of Jesus, his life, and his divinity. | We can only guess at what the real Jesus was like, since the early Church fathers may have changed the accounts of Jesus’ life to suit their purposes. |
Jesus was fully God and fully man. | Jesus was a great prophet and teacher, but he was not divine. |
Jesus was crucified, died, and rose from the dead. | Jesus was crucified and died, but he did not rise from the dead. |
Salvation is by faith in Christ, not good works. Good works follow as a natural byproduct of faith. | Although faith is involved in salvation, it must be proven by good works and compassion. |
Jesus judges each person on the basis of the extent and quality of their faith in him as their Savior. | God judges each person in terms of their works. If the good works outweigh the bad, their fate in the afterlife will be favorably affected. |
Emphasis is on correct doctrine and spreading the Gospel. Other religions are viewed as being incorrect. | Emphasis is on compassion, social action, and tolerance. God is far more interested in the sincerity of a person’s beliefs than in their correctness. |
Every book in the Bible was directly inspired by God, even though these books were written by many authors, often many centuries apart. | The Bible was written by many authors, all of whom were spiritual men, over many centuries, at the prompting of general inspiration from God. It contains many errors and contradictions, so we must use our own judgment in deciding whether or not to accept any of its statements as being true. |
Meditation is rarely practiced. | Meditation is not an uncommon practice. |
Correct metaphysics is important. | Metaphysics is not important. |
Q: Can a liberal Christian also be a Buddhist?
Given the very broad range of beliefs of liberal Christians, it would be very difficult to offer any answers to this question without making some assumptions as to what the liberal Christians in question believed. In the chart below, several common beliefs of liberal Christians are listed, along with how those beliefs would need to change, at least significantly, in order for the liberal Christian to also be a Buddhist.
Typical Belief of a Liberal Christian | Change in Belief Required to Also Be a Buddhist |
| |
I have a soul and a personality that will continue to exist eternally. | Realize that such beliefs are an illusion. |
I am, at least to some extent, a self-made person. | Realize that the present self has been tightly determined by karma from past lives. |
I am motivated by compassion for the less fortunate. | Come to regard such compassion as improper because it is a desire, and desire causes suffering. |
I see the highest value as being energetically involved in helping the poor and less fortunate. | Be willing to see the great value of completely withdrawing from the world to meditate in solitude in hopes of gaining enlightenment. |
Though I appreciate that suffering is commonplace, I believe that many parts of life can be filled with joy, and this joy is not an illusion, if you are thankful to God for them. | Realize that life on earth inherently involves suffering, and that the only kind of joy possible is the cessation of personal desire. |
It is important to have some kind of strong belief in God. | Be willing to regard the question of the existence of God as irrelevant to one’s own spiritual journey toward enlightenment. |
It is more effective to fill one’s mind and spirit with the positive presence of God than to look within. | It is more effective to meditate, focusing on emptying one’s mind of negative and selfish thoughts and desires. |
Jesus Christ was the greatest spiritual leader and teacher in the history of the world. | Christ was just one of many enlightened ones, or buddhas, who have served as examples and guides to mankind in the quest for enlightenment. |
By pure, simple faith, one can be quickly and radically transformed, because such faith results in the powerful indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who takes control as long as the believer is willing to yield to the leading of the Spirit. | Attaining enlightenment requires many years (or many lifetimes) of devoted meditation under the direction of a spiritual master. |
Buddhist chanting has a droning aspect that is hard for westerners to appreciate and find inspiration from. | Be willing to regard such chanting as comparable to the broad and deep range of Christian music, hymns, and classical religious masterpieces. |
It is acceptable to eat meat. | Become a vegetarian out of respect for animals that are reincarnations of people. |