Protestantism

» paper_turtle - Buddhism On John 12:23-25

In response to Buddhism On John 12:23-25 posted by pink101:

Phil wrote:
Buddhism and Christianity have some good things in common. I don't see how that defeats either philosophy on life. Maybe Paper_Turtle is correct?
.
(grin)
.
I think we should defer to Paper_Turtle and let her answer objectively without getting on her case for being out of line. We should read her comments and ask for elaboration if we need more understanding.
.
I'm no expert, but I have been studying Buddhism for quite some time. I'll do my best to answer, and if I don't know I'll fess up.
.
I might not toe the *doctrinal* line, and among my really close friends I may occasionally indulge in some harmless mischief, but I am seldom "out of line" in terms of speech or behavior. (wink)
.
Speaking of lines, I draw the line when it comes to wrangling about points of doctrine. I just won't do it anymore. I'll state my opinion, and consider those of others, but that's as far as I'll go.
.
I'd love it if you had some questions or comments for the Buddhist POV thread.
.
peace and love,
Paper Turtle

-- posted by paper_turtle

» pink101 - Here's a Question

In response to Buddhism in China & Japan posted by paper_turtle:
.
You bring up the idea of culture in your post and I think that is very important.
.
We tend, as a people, not to understand culture and that evolves into a problem of great proportions for us(as a people).
.
It is almost another issue; but, like so many other concerns, it really IS the issue.
.
Per example: Last evening we watched a local access channel that broadcast a city council meeting in which citizens were making their concerns known on camera. One of the main concerns had to do with the way police officers are treating street people and other minorities in various confrontations. I won't detail it here; but, there is a pervasive problem in Kalamazoo that revolves around such issues. I have a professional experience with the police culture in Kalamazoo that goes back over thirty years. Without going into them, the problems being experienced today have been predictable for a long time. It is all a result of the police department culture in Kalamazoo. Police officers--here--view themselves as a people set apart from the rest of the community. It is not an uncommon attitude for police officers to hold the world over.
.
When I posit that the issue is culture I mean to say that religion can be the major factor in its foundations. Perhaps the Japanese are more accepting of their pluralism than we are here in the West.
.
My whole point in this post was to show that our view of Jesus as individuals has a major impact on how we create our personal view of culture in which we move about. THIS is dangerous for society.
.
So here's a question, in what kind of culture does Buddhism lay its foundations? And second, how does that differ from the kind of culture created by Christianity?
.

-- posted by pink101

» paper_turtle - Buddhism, Chna/Jpn--error

In response to Buddhism in China & Japan posted by paper_turtle:

I forgot to insert the html tags in the quote from the Wikipedia article. The last word in what should have been identified as a quote was "Christmas."
.
What follows after that are my comments.
.
PT

-- posted by paper_turtle

» paper_turtle - Here's a Question

In response to Here's a Question posted by pink101:

So here's a question, in what kind of culture does Buddhism lay its foundations? And second, how does that differ from the kind of culture created by Christianity?
.
Christianity has been influencing culture for a very long time. Although many of the myths and legends of Europe had ancient and pre-Christian origins, speaking in broad generalizations European culture is firmly rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition.
.
A few differences between Buddhist and Christian culture (off the top of my head):
.
Christian culture see the earth as something to be exploited. Christian culture creates a division between the natural world and humankind. (IMHO this estrangement from the natural world, and the concomittant attitude that we know better than nature, is the result of misreading the Bible--but that's an issue for another thread altogether.)
.
Buddhist culture is more in unity with nature. Buddhist culture sees humankind working in unity with nature. Buddhist culture draws spiritual inspiration and guidance from nature.
.
Christian culture is more focused on action. Buddhist culture is more focused on observation. We value the "Marthas" but tend to think the "Marys" are wasting their time, or at least not holding up their end.
.
Christian culture tends to be extrapunitive, Buddhist, intropunitive. That is, Christian culture is more apt to point to a cause outside of oneself; Buddhists, to within oneself.
.
My imperession is that gender roles are more important in Christian culture than in Buddhist culture, but I don't have much to back that up except for what I know about modern Buddhists.
.
peace and love,
Paper Turtle

-- posted by paper_turtle

» pink101 - Buddhism vs Christianity

In response to Here's a Question posted by paper_turtle:
.
I cannot say for sure; but, it appears as though Buddhism might offer a better set of values for cultural happiness than Christianity affords--at least the way apostate Christianity is supported by so many of today's evangelicals.
.
So, what is there about Buddhism that you think is negative that Christianity handles in a positive way?
.

-- posted by pink101

» paper_turtle - Buddhism vs Christianity

In response to Buddhism vs Christianity posted by pink101:

So, what is there about Buddhism that you think is negative that Christianity handles in a positive way?
.
Right now I can't think of anything glaringly negative about Buddhism. I can't think of anything Christianity does better either. I'm sure there are examples of both, but generally speaking I just don't look at things that way.
.
Have you ever been in some setting which was outside of your usual experiences--say a black church or a Chinese New Year or a Renaissance Fair? You might have felt very welcome, and "at home," but it still didn't feel like "home." Know what I mean?
.
I feel "at home" in Buddhism because of the many similarities I see between Buddhism and Christianity. I also feel at home in Buddhism because I am quiet, introspective, and I feel very close to nature. But Christianity is "home" because it reflects the culture I grew up in.
.
peace and love,
Paper Turtle

-- posted by paper_turtle

» pink101 - Buddhism vs Christianity

In response to Buddhism vs Christianity posted by paper_turtle:

.
hmmmmmm
.
:~)
.

-- posted by pink101

» Brother_Jones - Buddhism vs Christianity

In response to Buddhism vs Christianity posted by pink101:

Is Christ something different that Jesus in any sense of the words as names or titles? Do we speak of "The Jesus" in the same sense as we speak of "The Christ"?

The basic plank of Buddhism is to determine your own truth for yourself by looking within for answers. That is the starting point for determining that man is essentially good and each person can find the truth that conforms to what they feel in their own inner being. God becomes an impersonal being and Jesus another Christlike figure similar to Buddha, but they are not really needed to discover ultimate truth. Both man and plant are not just similar in nature to God but are god/gods in a matter of speaking, which is the appeal of Buddhism, and the reason that it appeals to those who reject the Bible message.

I went back to your first question because it took us a few days to get to the root of the problem that most liberal folks have with the person of Jesus Christ.

i am just an oldtimer for the Lord.

-- posted by Brother_Jones

» paper_turtle - Buddhism vs Christianity

In response to Buddhism vs Christianity posted by Brother_Jones:

Both man and plant are not just similar in nature to God but are god/gods in a matter of speaking.
.
Its more as if "man and plant" are manifestations of Buddha nature/God's nature.
.
This isn't really so counter to Christianity--God created all that is and therefore all things manifest God/God's creative genius (or love or energy).
.
peace and love,
Paper Turtle

-- posted by paper_turtle

» Brother_Jones - Buddhism vs Christianity

In response to Buddhism vs Christianity posted by paper_turtle:

Its more as if "man and plant" are manifestations of Buddha nature/God's nature.
.
This isn't really so counter to Christianity--God created all that is and therefore all things manifest God/God's creative genius (or love or energy).

I can appreciate the concepts that in your mind you paint with non-defined colors. I think the Pink and I were wondering about the idea of Jesus being the Christ.

Any thoughts?

i am just an oldtimer for the Lord.

-- posted by Brother_Jones