Originally posted by 2009novice:woah it is a good read for me... interesting....
I do not know much about Christianity so I hope what u write is neutral.
Afterall, we still have the freedom to choose which religion suit us.
Everybody has a right to choose, that I agree. Although as Buddhist, I have never seek to convert anybody, only as way to alleviate suffering by creating awareness. As for being neutral or not, please investigate further!
One of the similarities is the rectification of faults or repairing of karma, and seeking forgiveness of sins. Both require deep regret and genuine sincerity, however, due to pride and ego, it is not easy to practise.
Originally posted by Dawnfirstlight:From my experience, it will be easier to convert free thinkers to Buddhists if you explain to them the differences between other religion and Buddhism. I have successfully got some of my friends (free thinker) interested in Buddhism by telling them the differences between Christianity and Buddhism.
Highlighting the similarities perspectives is more for religious harmony.
Hmm, I do agree that it will generally be easier to share with free thinkers about Buddhism than say those who are quite inclined towards the Creator God and Jesus as the only salvation concept.
In Buddhism there is no duality. So I thought maybe understanding not only differences but similarities as well would help in my understanding of Buddhist concepts like 'oneness', 'non-self' for example.
So rather for the sake of religious harmony or to ensure one doesn't cross OB markers, it's more for spiritual advancement that I'm sharing some similarities here. Cos I sort of feel that most of us already know quite a lot of differences between monotheistic religions such as Christianity and Buddhism - which is neither monotheistic or polytheistic at its core.
Originally posted by Dawnfirstlight:I had read about the "The Lost Years of Jesus" somewhere. It said during these lost years when there was no biblical record of Jesus whereabouts. It said there was a Russian journalist Nicolas Notovitch found an ancient Buddhist scripts in one of an ancient temple in Tibet which recorded the arrival of someone who fits the description of Jesus from Israel.
He said Jesus been to Tibet to learn Buddhist Teachings which explained why there are many similarities between teachings of Buddha and Jesus.
THE LOST YEARS OF JESUS
http://tibettalk.wordpress.com/2007/09/01/the-lost-years-of-jesus-in-tibet/
http://www.reversespins.com/teenageJesus.html
In 1938, Dr. Elisabeth Caspari again witnessed the evidence of Jesus' travel in Tibet.
Guys, I know many Christians will not agree to this. Anyway, it is up to individual to believe or not.
I have not read or heard about the above before. Thanks dawnfirstlight. Another good reference source for me.
Originally posted by Spnw07:I have not read or heard about the above before. Thanks dawnfirstlight. Another good reference source for me.
Welcome. Share with us here if you come across anything that is interesting.
Originally posted by Dawnfirstlight:Welcome. Share with us here if you come across anything that is interesting.
I have a book called Jesus once lived in India, written by a german author. I bought it in 1992 I think, at evergreen bookstore in chinatown.
Long time ago I bought a book about Jesus as a man and how he had lived his daily life in his time like any ordinary person.Sorry I forgot the title but it was a best seller.it is said that the jetty that the fishermen used was submerged inches under the water during high tide.Hence, that was how he walked on water
The accounts on Jesus sounds interesting, perhaps you all may narrate a bit further?
Humanising Jesus, very contemporary!
However, are the books purely speculative, or does it have corroborating evidence?
What do you feel?
For example people living in those historical times do not stay as batchelors past 30 so he definitely lived as man and woman with Mary Magdalene....unless if he was gay but i dont think so.
Originally posted by Weychin:The accounts on Jesus sounds interesting, perhaps you all may narrate a bit further?
Humanising Jesus, very contemporary!
However, are the books purely speculative, or does it have corroborating evidence?
What do you feel?
Emmm, Russian journalist Nicolas Notovitch, Nicholas Roerich and Dr. Elisabeth Caspari saw the evidence. I believe must have some truth in it. Can't go wrong with 3 pairs of eyes.
Quoted from the link :
Another Russian, Nicholas Roerich, who painted the picture at the top of the page (showing Jesus traveling in Tibet), found many references to Issa's travels in India. He wrote about his investigations in Himalaya; and also in Altai-Himalaya.
I read an article by Master Sheng Yan. He said the main difference about Buddhism (Mahayana) is that its ultimate objective (i.e. becoming a Buddha) is not deliberately accomplished (i.e. it is motivated by compassion for others, not concept of self). It is out of compassion that Eight Ground Bodhisattva is willing to give up Nirvana for the benefits of all sentient beings.
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
"And the meek shall inherit the earth", can be even be construed as such:- Karaniya Metta Suttanta; " Discourse in Loving Kindness"
Psalms 25:8 Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
Psalms 25:12 What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.
Psalms 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.
10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
Psalms 37:18 The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.
Psalms 37:22 For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.
Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
This is what should be done by one who is skilled in goodness
and who wishes to attain the State of Peace and Wisdom (Nirvana):
Let one be capable, upright, exceedingly upright,
easy to instruct, gentle, and humble.
Let one be content, not a burden to others but easily supported,
with but few responsibilities, and living simply,
with the senses composed and serene, let one be prudent, courteous,
not proud or demanding, unswayed by the emotions of others;
and let one not commit the slightest wrong
for which the wise would later reprove.
Let one contemplate and wish:
May all beings be well and safe.
May all beings be happy.
Whatever living beings there may be—
whether they are weak or strong, omitting none,
the great or the mighty, medium size, short, small, or large,
those seen and those unseen, those dwelling near and far away,
those born as well as those yet to be born—
may all beings be happy at heart.
Let no one deceive another, nor despise anyone in any place.
Let no one through anger or hatred wish harm upon another.
Just as a mother protects her child, her only child, with her very life,
even so with a boundless heart of love let one cherish all living beings.
Let one radiate boundless love over the entire world—
spreading upwards to the skies and downwards to the depths;
in all directions—without any obstruction,
completely free from hostility or hatred.
While standing or walking, sitting or lying down,
as long as one is awake, without laziness,
let one sustain this recollection (mindfulness) of love.
This is said to be Noble Living,
and this is called the Sublime Abiding.
By not falling into wrong views—
being virtuous, endowed with ultimate clarity and insight,
having discarded greed for sensual desires—
then truly, never again will one return to be conceived in a womb.
May all beings be happy and peaceful
(free from suffering and distress)
May all beings be safe and secure
(free from fear and harm)
May all beings be healthy and prosperous
(free from pain, illness, and lack)
May all beings live joyfully and with ease
(free from struggle and conflict)
This excellent meditation derives from the Discourse On Loving-kindness (Metta Sutta) given by the Buddha 2600 years ago. The loving-kindness he spoke of then is still the deepest need of the world today. The Pali word Metta (Maitri in Sanskrit) means universal loving-kindness, friendliness, and goodwill free from expectation and possessiveness. However, this is not the ordinary, sensual, emotional, or sentimental kind of love that most people commonly express. Metta has a far greater significance than this. Metta is an all-embracing love—a sincere desire for the happiness and well-being of others. Metta is without any selectivity or exclusion. If we select a few people we love and exclude someone we do not like, this is a lack of understanding of Metta. With the sublime heart of love, we express care and concern for all beings through benevolent thoughts, feelings, and words, as well as through selfless acts of kindness and generosity.
The benefits of practicing this form of meditation are immense. We develop the valuable skill of concentration. We dissolve the barriers in our hearts that create separation between ourselves and others. We transform fear and negativity into courage and kindness, and we learn to care for and love all beings without exception. The simple yet powerful radiance of our loving-kindness brings protection from harmful influences and offers blessings and beneficence to all it touches. Even if we do not recognize the immediate effects of our practice, nevertheless, we should always persevere and never doubt or underestimate the power of loving-kindness!
The Buddha does not offer us his teachings merely to be studied and recited. He asks us to follow and practice the instructions so they become a reality in our awareness, in our actions, and in our ways of life. It is action, not speculation, it is practice, not theory that really matters. Therefore, we should not be satisfied with the mere recitation of the Metta Sutta. We must strive to know and feel its meaning. We must allow the teaching to suffuse our entire being, and have the heartfelt intention to bring it into full practice in our daily lives. Cultivating the noble principles offered here in the Metta Sutta is the very essence of Buddhist Dharma.
The Practice of Loving-kindness
Spiritual development and ultimate awakening are based upon the firm foundation of loving-kindness for all beings. To help establish this essential foundation, practice this meditation daily for at least 15 to 20 minutes, or longer. For ease of recollection, only the first line of each phrase of this meditation is used. It is not necessary to repeat the words in parentheses. If you wish, you may also create your own words for this practice.
1) Begin by directing loving-kindness to yourself. Love for self comes first. This is not a selfish love, but a pure love for oneself that has the power to dissolve anger, hatred, and selfish tendencies. By overcoming any sense of unworthiness and cultivating genuine love for yourself, you are able to share this love with others. Allow the heartfelt radiance of loving-kindness to fill your being as you recite each phrase of this meditation slowly and with deep feeling: "May I be happy and peaceful..." and so forth.
2) Visualize a person for whom you feel love, respect, and gratitude. Radiate heartfelt loving-kindness to this person, reciting each phrase of the meditation slowly and with deep feeling: "May you be happy and peaceful..." and so forth.
3) Visualize a person toward whom you feel neutral or indifferent. This may be a stranger or an acquaintance, somebody you have no particular feelings for or against. Extending loving-kindness to those toward whom we feel indifferent develops the ability of the heart to love all beings without exception. Radiate heartfelt loving-kindness to this person, reciting each phrase of the meditation slowly: "May you be happy and peaceful..." and so forth.
4) This may be the most difficult part of the practice. Visualize a person with whom you experience tension, fear, hurt, conflict, resentment, anger, or aversion. Radiate heartfelt loving-kindness to this person as well: "May you be happy and peaceful..." and so forth.
5) Finally, radiate heartfelt loving-kindness to all living beings throughout all realms of existence: "May all beings be happy and peaceful..." and so forth. The Buddha suggests we remain in this mindful state of loving-kindness at all times and "cherish all living beings with a boundless heart, radiating kindness over the entire world.