Many Americans Say Christianity Not the Only Way to Eternal Life

freespirit »

Tue Dec 23, 2008 6:01 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 2

All religions are peoples interpretation of who God is and what life is all about.

The Dalai Lama, Christianity, and Sex

freespirit »

Mon Dec 22, 2008 2:02 pm Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

Here are two books I would recommend reading. They contrast Buddhism with Christianity: The Good Heart: A Buddhist perspective on the Teachings of Jesus. In 1994 His Holiness The Dalai Lama was invited to lead World Community for Christian Meditation. The group meditated together and His Holiness was asked to comment on several Christian scriptural readings. The book is an open is a transcription of an open dialogue that took place sharing the ideas and interpretation of scriptural passages from different viewpoints. Different Christian denominations were present. Book: The Good Heart, A Busshist perspective on The Teachings of Jesus. Publisher: Wisdom Publications of Boston
A second book I would recommend is by a learned Buddhist monk, Living Buddha, Living Christ by Thich Nhat Hanh. Publisher Riverhead Books NYC

The Dalai Lama, Christianity, and Sex

freespirit »

Mon Dec 22, 2008 1:49 pm Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

Luke 17:21 (Whole Chapter)
Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

This is a very key passage in the bible. The Jewish religous leaders of the day were acting as emissaries (i.e. go betweens) between the people and God. There were many rituals involving sacrifices offered by the priests for the benefit of the people.

This passage speaks of a personal relationship each person has with God. This was why the priests felt threatened by the teachings of Jesus.

In Buddhism too, there is a focus on personal wordship practices.

The Dalai Lama, Christianity, and Sex

freespirit »

Mon Dec 22, 2008 1:11 pm Agree: 3   Disagree: 0

I agree with stagfrog... Mr. colon should do more research before attempting to do comparisons between religions. What His Holiness the Dalai Lama is saying is that one needs to keep things in perspecitive including relationships. Often relationships become obessions that are not healthy. In actuality, there is no contradtion between what the Dalai Lama says and Christianity (see Thomas of Doubt quotes). What both religions are saying is that one's commitment to the following of reelious precepts and wordship should come first.

Secondly, the comments about "becoming indifferent to the world" were taken out of context. In Buddhism, there is a strong focus on Compassion and Kindness to all sentient beings (human and non-human). This is analgous to the Christian teaching of Love all others as you love yourself.

In the end, a mark of a great religion is how much it inspires others to live their life in a loving and compassionate way. People may argue about theological points all they want but their behavior towards others speaks volumes about their true nature.