Hi! I found out about Orthodox Christianity while listening to a naivety Byzantine chant from the Greek Orthodox Church. I found it so heavenly and beautiful. However, I practice Buddhism and love my way of life. I looked into Orthodox Christianity and researched it. I really like its devotional practices, its liturgies, and its way of life. In my opinion, it's the Christianity that is closest to Buddhism in a way. Roman Catholicism is unfortunately dying, it's becoming too charismatic, too "Evangelical", and no chants anymore.
When I hear an Orthodox chant, I feel very peaceful and my heart feels touched. Im sorry, but any form of Evangelical or Protestant Christianity wont do for me, it's too wish-washy and emotional for me (so Evangelicals, kindly refrain from your "suggestions". I had enough of your nonsense here on Yahoo answers and offline). Orthodoxy is just so ancient, I could soak it up! I consider myself an open minded person and appreciate all ways of life.
What turns me off about Christianity in general is the Bible. Thanks to bible thumps, my view is that the Bible is just a book full of outdated practices. I DONT want to turn into a bible thump er and have to read the bible 24/7 and become a narrow minded bigot. I just really like the practices of Orthodox Christianity. I could never hate nor condemn someone for being gay, being different from me, or having different religious views than I do...no, never.
What should I do? I know if I go to a Christian forum, I'll be told the usual "Buddhism = evil, us = good". I have become heavily influenced by Buddhism. From one of the influences is to "investigate everything and accept nothing out of blind faith". I admire Siddhartha Gautama (The Buddha) a great lot. There is no Buddhist center nearby but there is a Greek Orthodox church. From Orthodoxy, its Hersch's rings to me. This way of life, I find so spiritually fulfilling (regardless of tradition). It helps me view the world in a way no other way could. Though I am heavily criticized for it, I dint care (such as going out drinking, hitting on people, materialism, popularity, excess consuming..I dint care about all this) Yet from Buddhism, I learned to wish for the well being of others (prayers of Metta - loving kindness). THIS is an integral part of my life.
Hello, I am an Eastern Christian and I spent one month in a Chinese Buddhist monastery.
I have also been touched by the treasures of the religious east, so I identify with some of what you say. I agree one of the greatest resonances between the two traditions is the practice of Hersch's. A casual observer might call Hersch's "Christian meditation," which is slightly incorrect because it belongs in the class of prayer, but the resemblance is still striking. In addition I think you might appreciate the eastern Christian doctrine of thesis.
Your question is a little unclear, but it seems to me the meat of your question is whether you can situate yourself at the intersection between these two faith traditions. That is, whether one can stay true to the Dharma of Siddhartha Gautama as well as the Gospel of Jesus of Nazareth.
Ultimately I think not. I think you must align yourself with one or the other, although you may always of course appreciate and draw from the resources of the tradition you do not choose. The reason is that, as you probably know, a religion is not merely a set of doctrines (or a set of pretty pictures and songs) but a practice and a way. Schuon defines true religion as "a sacramental path to the absolute." Religion is a finger pointing the way to the absolute, and two religions represent two fingers pointing two essentially different ways. At the end point of these paths they might meet (I hope and pray they do) but at this juncture they do not.
I think of a sacramental practice as a trail that goes up a mountain's side to its peak. Some trails go up the mountainside to the apex. However some go up partway, turn, and meander around but never reach the peak?I think of "new age" religious beliefs as doing this. Some even turn the person away from the mountain, such as Scientology. A religion is a map telling you how to walk one of these trails. Since you cannot walk two at the same time, it is a folly to try to mix the maps of two trails. You would end up with a hodgepodge of directions that apply to neither trail. In fact, there are increasing returns to focusing on one map. The more you know a map, the more you can walk the trail effortlessly. You have just 70 years to learn a map well and try to make it to the peak. It would not be a good use of time to dally on two maps except insofar as you can gather general lessons from the other that you can apply to your own.
As for the Bible, as a Buddhist you might appreciate the Christian east's approach to sacred writing. We proudly hold the Bible up as the "norm Narmada," yet we are not vulgar literalism's. The Old Testament history is primarily understood as prefiguring the new, so we do not follow the ritual laws any longer but understand them as prior versions of the New Testament. In addition, sections of the OT are not seen as historical at all but theological in nature, e.g. Job, which is a fascinating book. With time you may be able to respect the Bible again, despite what the Protestants have done to your perception of it.
you know, its very hard to answer this question, because as an Orthodox Chrisitian, the member of Original and undivided church, if Ill advise you to become an Orthodox, someone will think that Im not Objective.
OK, I will write this:
Buddhism advices you that, if you live with a good life, you will enjoy Budha, you will be Budha.
BUT, think about it, where will be your person? It wont be anymore. you will mixed in Budha, your life, your memories, your Person, where will be all this? I cant read here about the love of god, of our personality.
And Christianity advices you, that if you will try to Livvie with good life, you will be with God, he will share his everlasting love, you will be in his heaven, with saints and angels.
Christ DIED for every person, shed his holy blood for me, for you, foe everybody, and Budha? no, Budha advices that your personality was lost, and Christ? Christ values your person, because you are an IMAGE and ICON of the god, you are unique, everybody is unique. everybody can be with god, just try, and god will help you, and when there is Christ next to you, how can the devil win you? christ loves you, remember this!
NIKOLOZAOS@YAHOO.COM ------ THATS MY EMAIL, PLEASE, SEND A MESSAGE AND I WILL ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ORTHODOXY
here some beautiful Orthodox chants (all are different from each other, the first one is Russian chant, which differs from Greek chant, the second is Byzantie chant in Arabic, when I listen to that, I have an impression that Im in Ancient Judea, in Jerusalem, and to the third one listen from 1:39 and than 2:35, its Serbian Orthodox chant):
I don't think you can be both a Christian and a Buddhist as there are some conflicting views you will have to work out. The Sanctity of matter vars matter is an illusion and one life vars reincarnation.
I am an Orthodox Christian convert I will state I was turned of from Christianity for a long time due to the teachings and attitudes of a lot of protestants. The whole idea of "being saved" and knowing you were going to heaven seems like hubris as we are all sinners and it would be more logical to seek to be better people. One of the prayers in lent asks to blind us to the sins of others so we can see our own. I believe the blessed seraphic Rose of California was at a similar crossroads to you before becoming Orthodox Christian.
So no matter which path you choose don't toss out the wisdom from either.
I say, what do you think? If you see Jesus as your Lord and Savior I think Buddhists won't really accept you sadly, BUT! I do believe that with your church, and if they are used to you, you won't have a problem. All Christians are not 'bible hampers' and that is just their way of doing it, and not all Christians HATE gays, there is a saying: 'Love the sinner, hate the sin'. I do think you are ready, but as long as you believe in Jesus as your lord and savior, you are a christian anyway..
Orthodox Christianity or Buddhism? - Please help?
