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ORIGINAL: SavedByGraceMD

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ORIGINAL: eaglesfeather


All of your posts address the topic question correctly, but I'm still thinking most of the mentioned facts about Buddhism (including things I've said) are somewhat influenced by religious practice in India and other Eastern countries that came hundreds of years after "it" all happened. I find contridiction in stating that it's all based on the self when only selflessness is taught. Then, there's their philosophies of being truly "mindful". I think a study of that could help anybody become a more loving and spiritually present person.

But Buddhism is all about self. You decide your own path to reach nirvana. You yourself decide what is right and what is wrong.

That is not what the bible says.

God determines what is right and what is wrong.

And Jesus is the only way, so there is NO other path you could find that will lead you to heaven. You just can't make up your own way when Jesus said I am the way.

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ORIGINAL: eaglesfeather
In Christianity, we have the old and new testament. Then, throughout both of them we have repeted attempts by God to get through to us. It's like we were too stupid to simply believe what we were commanded so our Lord goes to the next thing, and then the next thing to try with us. And eventually, the world was so messed up that the almighty creator of the universe has to give His only begotten Son to this world to crucify in their ignorance and sinful nature to save our stupid souls!

This I do not agree with. While in the OT God did repeatedly prove Himself to His people, and they wound up straying away and had to be punished, nothing ever changed about what God said. He didn't say "oh well, you couldn't keep these commandments, so try these". It was always the same God, with the same commandments, with the same plan for all of humanity.

Yes at the time the Jews were fickle. They were at times stupid. So are we today. We continually turn from God to self, to please us. God still says the same thing He has always said, and the plan has never changed. The whole point of the OT is to show us that it is humanly impossible to keep the commandments, hence the reason for a Savior. THE SAVIOR, Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God slain before the foundation of the world. It has always been about Him, not about us. Which is why buddhism contradicts Christianity. Buddha taught that we could do it on our own, and that God was irrelevant. How does that fit with the Christian teaching?

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ORIGINAL: eaglesfeather
What's the message we refuse to accept? Was it intended to be taught in Buddhism? If it don't match exactly as God would have it can we blame them when we can't even get it right? What's the greatest commandment that Christ told us? This one I know I've seen better examples elsewhere (as a whole, not individually).

The message we refuse to accept, and I think you may be refusing to accept, is that it is not about us. We can not reach heaven on our own. That no one is good, no not one. Again, hence the reason for Jesus. Why He died, and why we need Him.

And no it was not intended to be taught in Buddhism. If it was the message would match up with Christianity. But it does not.

Point by point, we have shown you how buddhism contradicts Christianity. Yet you keep saying that maybe it is true, and that it may be the way it was meant.

How exactly is that possible if what Buddha taught is different from what Jesus taught?

You seem more interested in finding someone who will agree with you than finding out the truth behind your original question.

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ORIGINAL: mysaviorjesus

At times, I know I DECEIVE myself. That has to be the toughest thing on the path to salvation. Because of my faith in Jesus, not only do I have the whole World against me, my family and relatives against me, again, the toughest is my own thoughts are against me. Seems hopeless, huh?

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ORIGINAL: kingdust

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ORIGINAL: mysaviorjesus

At times, I know I DECEIVE myself. That has to be the toughest thing on the path to salvation. Because of my faith in Jesus, not only do I have the whole World against me, my family and relatives against me, again, the toughest is my own thoughts are against me. Seems hopeless, huh?

It is wonderful to hear your testimony, especially your last statement.

Self deception is another common ground not only between Christianity and Buddhism but among all religions.

Basically, we all love to believe what 'I' think is the truth- that is what I call 'subjective truth' which we all share no matter how different the religions are from one another.
We really don't know the truth but believe what we think is true, deceiving own self by own belief.

Just like the blacksmith in Isaiah, we Christians seem to make a god out of God and others definitely make gods out of their thoughts and imaginations, by believing what they think God or god is, including Buddhists if their 'enlightened' would be more than human.

Not many know that own thought is not only against God but also against self due to own self not equal with truth, meaning that believing in self is believing in 'untruth'- lie.
Not only devil is the father of lie but we are one also when we love to believe in self who is not the way nor truth.

Peter had proven that when he was called 'Satan'.

Are you hopeless?

I think not, because you are able to see 'you' different from yet 'another you', not quite 'you' but somehow 'you', totally different from the way you were.

I call it 'God in you'.
That is the only way you can see 'objectively', seeing through the eye of God who is in you and where you stand.
However, His views blocked most of the time because our own views are stronger and bigger than God's when we are in full control of our own self.

Buddhist taught to empty self out, not knowing why.
We should know why.

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ORIGINAL: mysaviorjesus
'God in you'. Is this the same as the Holy Ghost? Because sinful things that didn't bother me so much before, now does, such as Buddha statues, porn, cursing, etc... even little lies that is harmless would bother me for most of the day.

I didn't know about the Trinity and re-born again concept. I am still learning so much. I just started reading the bible. Still in Genesis. At least, I now have some understanding of the old testament and new testament.

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ORIGINAL: mysaviorjesus

I was a Buddhist for a long time. Now I am a devote Christian, just became a Christian a little over 4 months. All thanks to the Almighty Father.
Let me give a little history of my belief.

Born in Laos (nothing but bunch of Buddha temples around if you asked me. I WAS very proud of my culture. What a peaceful and nice people all over.)

Live in the Bangkok refugee camp about 3 years. My dad was an interpreter and the odd thing is my dad attended the Catholic Church there. He was baptized. I remember at the age of 5 or 6, my dad took us to the home of the Catholic preacher and we had coke. The drink and not the drug. lol

Had to come to the US in 1978, living in Texas. The wait to Australia was at least 3-5 more years. My dad was sponsored by someone in the Catholic Church, her name was Mrs. Cox, I believe. Out of gratefulness my dad had the family attending St. Michael. I have 3 younger brothers. Back then, myself and the 2nd oldest attended bible study at St. Michael. Honestly, I do not remember much of anything in bible study. Eventually we stopped attending and just go to mass every Sunday. I remember love reading the bible about Jesus and his parables.
10 years have passed, I graduated from high school and moved to California and lived with my grandparents and uncles, who are extremely, devoted Buddhists. I follow and became Buddhist because of my grandma for 20 years. About 10 years into being a Buddhist, at the age of 27, I became a monk and live in the temple for about 8-9 days. Time, work, and financial did not permit me to stay in the temple for 3 months.

Since 2005, I have been away from attending the Buddhist temple with my grandma. Too busy with the family, my wife and 2 kids, at the time, my kids are 3 year old baby girl, and I just had my newborn baby boy.

At the beginning of this year 2008, I notice my life has gotten so hectic and crazy. My marriage and work was becoming torturous. I wanted to go back to the spiritual world of Buddhism and started attending the temple worship with my grandma. But I got into an accident on February 5th on the way back from work. My 2001 Honda civic was in the shop for repair. Then the new law of hands free while driving came out. So I thought to get a radio with Bluetooth feature. After my car was repaired, I purchase the XOVision 3.5" In-Dash DVD with Bluetooth, and got it installed.

Since 2003, I loved listening to the conservative AM talk radio. Now with the new XOVision radio, the AM reception was horrible on the civic, so I am forced to listen to FM station. So I listen to FM sports as I like the NFL football.

But sometimes in mid February 2008, I was driving to work and now my FM stations are mostly statics. Very weird and strange. Must be the clouds or something, I thought. It was kind of cloudy. So I decided to scan for FM station that works. Every time, I scan it kept on stopping at 99.5FM. I was like, what is this station. Got frustrated, but my commute to work is a little over an hour and sometimes 1.5 hours. So I listen to 99.5FM. It was “Focus on the Family” with James Dobson. This station helped me tremendously with my marriage. But half an hour after “Focus on the Family”, it was Allister Begg with “Truth for Life.” I was like, this guy is preaching about Jesus and Christian stuff. But oh well, I listen. Then “the light bulb” in my head turned on. What is this? I said. It seems to make so much sense. Since that day, I cannot get enough of the sermons. From Allister Begg, I acquired sermons from Chuck Swindoll, John MacArthur, Mark Brewer, and on. Nowadays, all I listen to are these pastors, while I’m at work, driving, and when I can. Sometimes, I will be in tears just from listening to the word of Jesus and the Almighty Father. In 38 years, nothing has moved me this much.

My life, my family, my marriage, and my work are all wonderful. Except for my brothers and relatives thinking that I am nuts with Jesus. Lol… don’t forget my co-workers and friends thinks I am nut with Jesus…

At times, I know I DECEIVE myself. That has to be the toughest thing on the path to salvation. Because of my faith in Jesus, not only do I have the whole World against me, my family and relatives against me, again, the toughest is my own thoughts are against me. Seems hopeless, huh?

But what gets me through is the wonderful words from the living book, the Bible.

Peace be with you all my loving brothers and sisters.

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Can they really empty self out according to the teaching of Buddha?
Can Christians empty self out, denying if you will, all by self?

Ahhh, another common ground between Christianity and Buddhism it is.

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ORIGINAL: JStucki76

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Can they really empty self out according to the teaching of Buddha?
Can Christians empty self out, denying if you will, all by self?

Ahhh, another common ground between Christianity and Buddhism it is.

This is not common ground. Christians are not supposed to "empty themselves," but "be filled with the Holy Spirit."

Even if we were to be emptied, perhaps emptied of unrighteousness, that is the work of God within us, not our own work in ourselves. The concepts are completely different.

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ORIGINAL: kingdust

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ORIGINAL: JStucki76

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Can they really empty self out according to the teaching of Buddha?
Can Christians empty self out, denying if you will, all by self?

Ahhh, another common ground between Christianity and Buddhism it is.

This is not common ground. Christians are not supposed to "empty themselves," but "be filled with the Holy Spirit."

Even if we were to be emptied, perhaps emptied of unrighteousness, that is the work of God within us, not our own work in ourselves. The concepts are completely different.

Oh, I thought daily killing of old self is no less than emptying self out.
Hopefully, you don't leave the dead in your shell house, but take it out.

If you are full of yourself, how can you be filled at all?

You empty some out in order to fill the empty space back up, no?

If you are not empty, the new filling can be mixed with the old, obviously corrupting the new filling and becoming confused, if not playing God, like many false teachers do, no?

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ORIGINAL: JStucki76
The Christian concept of death to self and the Buddhist concept of emptying oneself may seem similar on the surface, but the intent and substance are entirely different.

And in any case, my point was that death to self is God-centered, while the emptying in Buddhism is self-centered (and therefore self contradictory). If you see these as a commonality between the two religions then you are misunderstanding one or both of them.

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ORIGINAL: kingdust

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ORIGINAL: JStucki76
The Christian concept of death to self and the Buddhist concept of emptying oneself may seem similar on the surface, but the intent and substance are entirely different.

And in any case, my point was that death to self is God-centered, while the emptying in Buddhism is self-centered (and therefore self contradictory). If you see these as a commonality between the two religions then you are misunderstanding one or both of them.

To me, emptying part is similar.

I don't know what you mean by 'God-center', and I am not sure how many do the emptying by own effort just like a Buddhist do, another common ground- work base.

However, without emptying, no filling is possible- that is for sure.

Only difference in emptying between Christianity and Buddhism seems the filling part.

Christian empty in order to refill, Buddhist empty just to empty self, becoming nothing.

Becoming 'Nothing', that sounds like another common ground at the superficial level.

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ORIGINAL: JStucki76
By God-centered, I mean that the Christian does not "empty himself." The death of the old self, the purging of unrighteousness, is the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer. For Christians, to do this on our own is impossible and is in fact contradictory to the gospel. You do not empty yourself to come to God. You come to God as you are, allow him to empty you as he wishes and fill you as he wishes.

The emptying of oneself in Buddhism is self-centered, that is, the Buddhist does it himself. This is entirely different.

Many people believe that all religions are basically the same and only look different on the surface. I would say the opposite. The similarities between Buddhism and Christianity are only skin deep. The approach, the intent, the foundation, are all radically different.

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No Christian has no part in emptying him/herself out?

Does God do the emptying without no corporation or help from a Christian who is willing?

Can God do that for those who are not willing to cooperate or have no interest doing that?

Do you do nothing, and anything can still be done by God who does without your partaking in His business?
Are you emptied out or still full of yourself?
I am sincerely interested in your progress done all by God Himself but none from you.

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All religions are basically the same in a way that you got a belief and a believer or a person who trust and the object that is trusted as 'it'.

Basically, people trust their object of belief as trustworthy.

Do you trust your opinion absolutely?
Do you trust your thoughts as 'it'?

Trusting self or own conviction as 'it' is a common ground for all religions.
If you don't, your religion goes into thin air, if not your life based on the religious conviction.

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I still believe that emptying self is a common ground between Christianity and Buddhism.
Superficial or not, emptying self is an important principle for both, even though the purpose is different.

They empty to stay empty.
We empty to refill something totally different from what is emptied out.
Even though the outcome is different, the initial similarity cannot be denied.
Some Christians empty to stay empty just like them.
Other Christians empty only to fill back with what emptied out.

How similar!

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ORIGINAL: JStucki76

The desire to be empty is also a gift from God. The only decision I make is whether or not to cooperate. Surrender.

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Do you understand the difference between opinion and faith?

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The fact that some people have wrong motivations in both religions does not change the teachings of the religion itself.

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ORIGINAL: terryjohn

I have visited buddist temples and spoken with their priests. One told me that buddism does not believe in gods. I also heard the Deli Lama being interviewed on the radio once and the reporter said, What is it like being a living God? She thought he was! He said he was not and he didn't believe in God.

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It is my impression buddism is a human philosophy of selfishness. Sure they be keen to do good works to ease their consciences but they do so only for that purpose and not for the love and sake of others. They lock themselves away in temples and will not work to help others and then they have they nerve to then beg food from those they ignore. Their rituals are meaningless and cruel when their is so much work to do help others. They shave their heads and switch off when the people around them need doctors, nurses, teachers and help. In the end it is about as useful as secular humanism and will save no man.

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ORIGINAL: JStucki76

OK Kingdust-

I don't want to keep repeating myself, but I'm going to try one last means of explaining this.

Yes, I have to renew my surrender every day, sometimes more than once. That's what the continual death to self is. You are equating the death to self with emptying of self. They are not the same thing. The continual surrender is done by me, the emptying is done by God. The refilling is also done by God. This is radically different from Buddhism.

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Y'see, all these things can be said only with the authority of God!
If we say it, we are proven to be a god.

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ORIGINAL: kingdust

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ORIGINAL: JStucki76

OK Kingdust-

I don't want to keep repeating myself, but I'm going to try one last means of explaining this.

Yes, I have to renew my surrender every day, sometimes more than once. That's what the continual death to self is. You are equating the death to self with emptyi