"Be kind to all creatures, this is the true religion." (again, a great philosophy)
Buddha
Because I liked Buddhist philosophy I considered becoming a Buddhist nun (as I've mentioned in previous posts I had a thing for renunciation of worldly pursuits). When I carefully considered nun life (just like I'd considered Catholic nun life) it just didn't jive. Something felt off about it. I went to a Buddhist temple where Buddhists would stand in a line and one by one pour water over a Buddha statue enshrined on a golden throne. They would place flowers, jewels and tokens around Buddha on the throne. Something in me said no, that's just NOT right. Having studied Buddha I knew that he was just a man. He clearly said he was not God, he was not a savior and he was not a prophet. Buddha was an authentic seeker. He refused to accept the superficial answers to life's deepest questions. If Jesus had been around in Buddha's day I guarantee Buddha would have been his most enthusiastic disciple. Buddha specifically told his followers not to worship him. In fact, if I could imagine a conversation between God and Buddha it would go something like this:
Buddha: (shrugs) It's not my fault they worship me. You know how they are (apologetically)...
God: (sighs) I know. Boy do I know...
It's not Buddha's fault that people misrepresent him. He did the best he could in the times and place in which he lived. Jesus wasn't around yet and not everyone in the world knew God was speaking directly to Moses and the prophets. This brings us to Jesus. Jesus knew the answers. He didn't need to seek them out. Why? Because he WAS God in human flesh. He knew all there was to know without sitting on a yoga mat, contorting his body and meditating for hours, days, months or years! You've got seekers, you've got teachers, then you have Jesus. A whole new level here. Buddha: Seeker/ teacher
Jesus: God/ sacrificial lamb/ died horrifically to redeem man from their sins and ultimately death. Healed the sick. Raised the dead. Knows exactly what's going on...
My point here is this. Buddhism is a great philosophy but it's not a substitute for knowing the God who created Buddha. Using Buddhism AS a religion is like making the philosophy of Socrates or Nietzsche (and that would be cRAzy) a religion. It would be foolish to make man's thoughts God. Man will never have the capacity to know all that God knows or be all that God is. Man is a philosopher by nature, but philosophy is always just that. It's no substitute for absolute truth. In a future post I will explain how Catholicism married Christ to Paganism (a big no no). That will be a much more difficult, complex and intense subject matter. I don't even know if I can do it;-)
Ps. For a long time I kept Buddha statues around the house. I told myself "it evokes a sense of peace". After reading the old testament I decided I didn't want to take any chances (idolatry is a MAJOR offense to God). I think it is mentioned in the bible more than ANYTHING else. Honestly, as much as Buddha's message was "non attachment non attachment non attachment" it was hard to let go! I also got rid of any emplems or sanscrit symbols as I now believe that our homes, minds and bodies (more on that soon) represent who we are and our intention to God. He sees everything.
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Hebrews 4:11
Update: Maybe it's even more black and white than I thought. Check out this video and judge for yourselves.
http://youtu.be/ivG8ejbG0GE
Update: Maybe it's even more black and white than I thought. Check out this video and judge for yourselves.
http://youtu.be/ivG8ejbG0GE
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