What if...
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...someone tells you this "Jesus Christ died for your sake, to save you from your sins. But Buddha didn't."
How would you respond? -
I would say "Interesting view point. I respect that."
IMO religion is about personal belief, there's nothing to discuss about or compare. -
For me it is very simple.
Bend our faith to align with facts and not bend the facts to align with our faith.
Looking at the world we are in today. Personally I am not convince that someone died for our sins.
They can say whatever they want, it doesn't bother me. Because I know what I see and believe in.
True wisdom is from within and not from external entity.
I'll just let them continue and I'll keep quiet.
cheers, -
you say does the person that's going to be saved must be a Christian only? What Jesus Christ stated was, "God Loves All People. shen ai si ren" It does not say it only love those that believe Him only. As long as you are human/ren, God also love.Originally posted by surfbabe:...someone tells you this "Jesus Christ died for your sake, to save you from your sins. But Buddha didn't."
How would you respond?
Amitabha Buddha vowed the 48 great vows to deliver ALL sentient beings. now this All sentient beings does not Exclude those who don't believe only. They encompass all beings and are non-discriminating.
http://www.geocities.com/medic_sangye/vows.html
we also have Di Zang Wang Pu Sa going into hell realm to save people.
Guan Shi Yin Pu sa helping sentient beings who are suffering. ...
and more...
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According to devout Christians, sacrificing one's life for the sake of saving mankind is seen as a much more noble deed than what the Buddhas have done and are doing for mankind. Sigh...this is an eternal controversy between religions.
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erm...who get the idea that Bodhisattvas/Buddhas never sacrificing their life before.Originally posted by surfbabe:According to devout Christians, sacrificing one's life for the sake of saving mankind is seen as a much more noble deed than what the Buddhas have done and are doing for mankind. Sigh...this is an eternal controversy between religions.
and that said it's better to save the fa sheng hui ming(inner dharma body) of a person than to save the physical body of a person.
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what i wish to said on this point is it is not called inner dharma bodyOriginally posted by sinweiy:erm...who get the idea that Bodhisattvas/Buddhas never sacrificing their life before.
and that said it's better to save the fa sheng hui ming(inner dharma body) of a person than to save the physical body of a person.
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it is the Buddha nature that everyone possess that one day everyone will be Buddha
In the eyes of Buddha , all are Buddhas
in the eyes of God , human can only serve God.
Buddha comes to enlighten us from our mental suffering ,not physical suffering
I would said the idea of noble to sacrifice one's life is great, but greater would be someone who point to us the end of all suffering ,towards nirvana
anyway christianity never believe in rebirth , and if Jesus sacrificed his life to save us , why are still there are tsunami and earthquakes ?why are ppl still dying ?
How to explain that ? -
In Buddhism, we believe that although we have all 'fallen' from our original state, the world can be purified and a pure land can be established in this world. Earth will be like Heaven. At this time Maitreya Bodhisattva will descend and attain Buddhahood. At such a time Jesus Christ wouldn't have needed to die for our sins. Therefore treat the problem at its source - the mind. Jesus Christ taught a lot of great teachings, however he never emphasized on liberation - he taught about mostly on how to ascend to heaven in the afterlife. He did teach a little on the essence - but only to some of his chosen disciples. A Christian who practises Christianity completely, following the commandments, and so on, will be able to be reborn in Tavatimsa Heaven. And from there, by practising even more blessings, he can rise to even higher levels of heavens.
Nevertheless, Jesus Christ is the emanation of a great bodhisattva, he has taught us important bodhisattva spirit and practise. He is one of the ultimate examples of Xi2 She3. Shakyamuni Buddha, in his 500 lifetimes before he attained Buddhahood, also practised this as a bodhisattva. Sacrificing his life for sentient beings is something a bodhisattva is much willing to do. -
i think 'fa sheng hui ming' is Dharmakaya Wisdom Body, and Buddha-nature is 'fo xing'. and yes they are the same thing.Originally posted by bohiruci:what i wish to said on this point is it is not called inner dharma body
it is the Buddha nature that everyone possess that one day everyone will be Buddha
In the eyes of Buddha , all are Buddhas
in the eyes of God , human can only serve God.
Buddha comes to enlighten us from our mental suffering ,not physical suffering
I would said the idea of noble to sacrifice one's life is great, but greater would be someone who point to us the end of all suffering ,towards nirvana
anyway christianity never believe in rebirth , and if Jesus sacrificed his life to save us , why are still there are tsunami and earthquakes ?why are ppl still dying ?
How to explain that ?
ps: actually christianity used to believe in rebirth.
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I don't think Christians will be happy to hear this.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Nevertheless, Jesus Christ is the emanation of a great bodhisattva, he has taught us important bodhisattva spirit and practise. He is one of the ultimate examples of Xi2 She3. Shakyamuni Buddha, in his 500 lifetimes before he attained Buddhahood, also practised this as a bodhisattva. Sacrificing his life for sentient beings is something a bodhisattva is much willing to do.
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Many Mahayana Buddhists share this view. I think there is no need for Christians to be unhappy about it, because although we do not accept the bible as ultimate, we never said anything bad about Jesus Christ.Originally posted by surfbabe:I don't think Christians will be happy to hear this. -
surfbabe, first of all, what makes you think that "Jesus Christ died for our sake and save us from our sins."?Originally posted by surfbabe:...someone tells you this "Jesus Christ died for your sake, to save you from your sins. But Buddha didn't."
How would you respond? -
My Christian friend said those words, it didn't come from me. What I know comes from the bible. According to what I read from the bible, Jesus Christ sacrificed his life in exchange for the sins of those who wronged him. But it appears that this noble deed was also done to save everyone from our sins, not only Jews, not only Christians, but for all mankind. What I acknowledge is His deed and His purpose. What I am unable to believe totally, is that we are really saved from our sins. To me, I still believe each and everyone of us have to serve punishment for our sinful deeds.Originally posted by justdoit77:surfbabe, first of all, what makes you think that "Jesus Christ died for our sake and save us from our sins."? -
aiya no point arguing with them loh. i also have christian friends telling me i don't want to see you go to hell. my reply is simply who know maybe it not me that go to hell.
if we did not do any great evil deeds on our life and yet we still go to hell, something must be very wrong somewhere isn't it? so best is dun argue just continue to believe what we believe and do what we need to do. let the truth be be shown to us when we die loh.
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Why a lot of topics comparing Christianity and Buddhism arh?
I think the particular point abt Jesus is best left to be answered by Christians who are well versed in their theology, otherwise we are just swimming around in murky water. -
i would say so christ was too weak to save us without dying? or bhuddha was smarter and let him do the dirty work?Originally posted by surfbabe:...someone tells you this "Jesus Christ died for your sake, to save you from your sins. But Buddha didn't."
How would you respond? -
well i think it more like no one can give a perfect correct answer till the day we die and from there we will know who is speaking the truth, but i won't be suprise if the "boss" that we all believe in is the same one.Originally posted by laurence82:Why a lot of topics comparing Christianity and Buddhism arh?
I think the particular point abt Jesus is best left to be answered by Christians who are well versed in their theology, otherwise we are just swimming around in murky water. -
Yup, I know that it comes from bible.Originally posted by surfbabe:My Christian friend said those words, it didn't come from me. What I know comes from the bible. According to what I read from the bible, Jesus Christ sacrificed his life in exchange for the sins of those who wronged him. But it appears that this noble deed was also done to save everyone from our sins, not only Jews, not only Christians, but for all mankind. What I acknowledge is His deed and His purpose. What I am unable to believe totally, is that we are really saved from our sins. To me, I still believe each and everyone of us have to serve punishment for our sinful deeds.
Isn't it better if he spread his teaching to his follower instead of dying on the cross. As the word saying "Instead of giving someone a fish, teach them how to fish”
But most importantly, how do you know that when he get killed, the sins of all human is cleared. Each person is responsible for its own action.
It is indeed a good deed that Jesus encouraged loving and kindness, but it doesn't mean he has the wisdom to tell us the truth. Come on, one tiny little bible doesn't tell you everything.
Who else other than buddha explained the creation of earth, living beings in a glass of water scientifically 2550 years ago. Even the scientists in modern age that used to be christian has to acknowledge his great wisdom. -
Yes. If one is interested to know more about Christianity, go read more Christian books, websites, etc. My Buddhist Master (who was a pastor himself in the past) used to set up a group whereby there are two sides - Christians and Buddhists, and each of them study the teachings of each other religions.Originally posted by laurence82:Why a lot of topics comparing Christianity and Buddhism arh?
I think the particular point abt Jesus is best left to be answered by Christians who are well versed in their theology, otherwise we are just swimming around in murky water. -
Originally posted by justdoit77:
very good point!
[b]
Yup, I know that it comes from bible.
Isn't it better if he spread his teaching to his follower instead of dying on the cross. As the word saying "Instead of giving someone a fish, teach them how to fish”
But most importantly, how do you know that when he get killed, the sins of all human is cleared.
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Hi Sinweiy, welcome back! Enjoyed your trip?Originally posted by sinweiy:very good point!
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Please tell that to those "born handicapped" and see their responsesOriginally posted by surfbabe:...someone tells you this "Jesus Christ died for your sake, to save you from your sins. But Buddha didn't."
How would you respond?
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Christians believe that Jesus' sacrificial blood will wash away their sins just as Hindus at the time of the Buddha believed that their sins could be washed away by bathing in holy rivers. The Buddha criticised the Hindu idea just as he would have criticised the Christian idea if he had known about it. To believe that blood, water or any other external things can purify the heart, which is an internal thing, is foolish indeed.
In the Bahuka River, at Adhikakka, at Gaya, in the Sundrika, the Sarassati, the Payaga or the Bahumati the fool can wash constantly but cannot cleanse his evil deeds. What can the Sundrika, the Payaga or the Bahumati River do? They cannot cleanse the angry, guilty man intent on evil deeds. For the pure in heart every day is lucky, for the pure in heart every day is holy (Majjhima Nikaya, Sutta No.7).
This being the case, bathing in sacrificial blood or holy rivers is a poor substitute for purifying oneself by acting in a pure way. The only sacrifice that the Buddha asked us to make was to give up our selfishness and replace it with love, wisdom and compassion.
may all hav peace & happiness... -
I would say, "The Buddha attained Enlightenment for me and showed me a Path!", or as Shinran Shonin would put it,
"When I consider deeply the Vow of Amida (Amitabha), which arose from five kalpas of profound thought, I realize that it was entirely for the sake of myself alone (and for the rest of us)! Then how I am filled with gratitude for the Primal Vow, in which Amida resolved to save me, though I am burdened with such heavy karma.“
Gassho