are christianity and zen buddhism compatible

are christianity and zen buddhism compatible插图

Christians preach of one God, creation and salvation, while Buddhists believe in reincarnation, enlightenment and nirvana. The beliefsaren’t compatibleat all, said Stephen Lahey, an Episcopalian minister and religious studies professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Is Buddhism better than Christianity?

So pick which one fits your belief better. Buddhism is not better than Christianity, and Christianity is not better than Buddhism. They are different paths to spiritual salvation/awakening. Both Buddhism and Christianity have things to offer for all of us around the world.

How does Buddhism relate to Christianity?

Christians believe that there is a God, whereas Buddhism has no god. The Buddha pointed the way, whereas Jesus said that he was the way. Christianity promises believers eternal life. Buddhism’s highest state, the state of enlightenment, is freedom from being reborn. On the other hand, there are compelling similarities.

Can one be Christian and Buddhist at the same time?

Yes, you can be Buddhist and Christian at the same time. Buddhism is not a religion, it is a philosophy and way of life. Buddha was a teacher and his teachings are not incompatible with Christianity. No. You can not be. Like r2 said, Buddhism is not monotheistic. More importantly, Buddhists do believe in reincarnation. Christians do not.

Can Buddhism and Christianity coexist?

Buddhism and Christianity make mutually exclusive truth claims at nearly every essential point. There is simply no way to combine these two systems without completely redefining one or both of them. Since the 1960s, however, as Buddhism has made increasing inroads into western life and as American culture has become more and more pluralistic …

What is the difference between Christianity and Buddhism?

Buddhism also holds to a view of God very different from Christianity. Buddhism teaches the oneness of all things; Christianity teaches that God is transcendent and exists as a Trinity of Father, Son, and Spirit.

What does Psalm 63:6 mean?

Psalm 63:6 exemplifies godly meditation, which has God as the focal point: “On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.”. Second, Zen’s meditative focus is upon looking inward for inspiration and direction. In contrast, the Bible teaches that our search for direction should be founded upon God’s Word.

What is Zen meditation?

First, Zen seeks self -enlightenment. Christian prayer or meditation, in contrast, seeks God’s enlightenment of the believer. Zen Buddhism teaches one to empty the mind of all thoughts. Christian mediation is laden with thoughts of God’s greatness and worship of Him.

What does the Bible say about direction?

In contrast, the Bible teaches that our search for direction should be founded upon God’s Word. God instructed Joshua, “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” ( Joshua 1:8 ).

What does Psalm 2 say about the blessed man?

Psalm 1:2 says the “blessed man” is the one “whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.”. Third, Zen’s focus is upon living in the moment, being fully aware of all that is taking place in daily life.

What does Paul say about Zen?

Paul not ed, “I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far” ( Philippians 1:23 ). Fourth, Zen practice entails the acceptance of other Buddhist beliefs incompatible with Christian teachings. This includes belief in reincarnation, which is at odds with Hebrews 9:27. Buddhism also holds to a view of God very different …

Is Zen a Christian religion?

Answer. The Buddhist concept of Zen refers to a meditative state sought as a means of spiritual awakening and self-discovery. While practitioners of Zen claim that zazen (“sitting meditation”) is compatible with the Christian faith, there are some key distinctions that make this practice incompatible with Christian beliefs.

What does Catholicism say about God?

Catholicism says this. God exists, and He is the creator of all things. To narrow it further Catholicism says God revealed himself in the person of Jesus Christ who was crucified under Pontious Pilate, died, was buried, and on the third day rose from the dead. Now there’s claim!

Does Buddhism have a conflict with Christianity?

So to the extent that Buddhism offers a method to alleviate suffering I see no inherent conflict between that and the tenets of Christianity/Catholicism. But we should also take a moment to see what Catholicism says, just to be sure.

Is Christianity a person?

People sometimes think Christianity is about being a nice person. But that’s not what Christianity is about. Yes, there are tenets within Christianity about being nice and why that’s important, but Christianity is about a person. Buddhism, on the other hand, is not about a person. It’s about a method. This distinction couldn’t be more important.

What is central to Buddhism?

Central to Buddhism is the impermanence of all things and the doctrine of no distinct and enduring self in existence. 3. ”The Teaching of Buddha” (Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai, 1966) 298. If there is anything eternal and unchanging, Buddhism is false.

What is the significance of the existence of demigods in Buddhism?

Historic Buddhism acknowledged the existence of a variety of gods and demigods above and beyond humanity but taught that they were mortal creatures that were a part of the same cycle of death and rebirth as men and animals. They were a part of the Buddhist cosmos but were not prescribed as objects of Buddhist devotion.

What is suffering in Buddhism?

Suffering: In Buddhism suffering comes from our illusion of being a personal self and our actions in accordance with that illusion. 9.

What does Revelation 21:3-4 mean?

He will bless them with eternal life and remove their suffering forever, ( Revelation 21:3-4 ). Salvation: Different Buddhist branches prescribe a variety of different things regarding the most effective path to enlightenment and escape from the suffering of life and the cycle of death and rebirth.

What does Matthew 5:6 mean?

There is a blessing for those who hunger and thirst for righteousness ( Matthew 5:6 ), and we are to seek earnestly and consistently after the kingdom of God ( Matthew 6:33 ). In the end, God will satisfy the righteous desires of those who are in Christ.

What is the Buddhist freedom from suffering?

This is the Buddhist freedom from suffering. In Christianity, it is human evil and disobedience to God that first brought suffering and death into the world, ( Romans 5:12 ). What man needs most is to be washed of his guilt and to turn from his sin.

What does Christianity teach about men and women?

Christianity teaches that men and women are created in the image of God and are distinct from and have dominion over other living things on the earth, ( Genesis 1:26-28 ). The person developing in the womb is the same person all the days of their life ( Psalm 139:13-16 ).

Windmillcharge Well-Known Member

Buddhism is becoming more popular in the West than ever before – even within Christian circles. buddhists claim that Buddhism is a philosophy, not a religion. A core belief is that attachment to illusion is the cause of suffering.

quietthinker Well-Known Member

Buddhism is becoming more popular in the West than ever before – even within Christian circles. buddhists claim that Buddhism is a philosophy, not a religion. A core belief is that attachment to illusion is the cause of suffering.

bbyrd009 Groper

Is this contrary to Christianity? Harmful to a persons walk with Christ? Incompatible with Christianity?

CoreIssue Well-Known Member

i’ll let you two work that out, but I would point out that the Ninevites "unknown god" was appropriated as an acceptable model.

bbyrd009 Groper

Things have changed a lot from the Old Testament to now, including God’s revelation.

bbyrd009 Groper

The body of Christ is composed of the coheirs of Israel and church, meaning the Saints in both.