Buddhism & Buddhism & Christianity Christianity ComparedCompared

Ivan FrimmelIvan Frimmel

Various Pictures of Various Pictures of BuddhaBuddha

Baby Buddha Amitabha Buddha Amitabha Buddha Quan Yin

Thai Buddha Medicine Buddha

Medicine BuddhaBuddha Mind

Various Pictures of Various Pictures of JesusJesus

Beliefs not shared (1)Beliefs not shared (1) Beliefs about God:Beliefs about God:

Buddhism:Buddhism: In its original forms, Buddhism did not teach of In its original forms, Buddhism did not teach of the existence of any transcendent, immanent, or any other the existence of any transcendent, immanent, or any other type of Being, God or Gods, Goddess or Goddesses... type of Being, God or Gods, Goddess or Goddesses... However, many Buddhists -- particularly in Japan -- do now However, many Buddhists -- particularly in Japan -- do now believe in a pantheon of deities, but only a very few would believe in a pantheon of deities, but only a very few would define Buddha as the Jews, Christians or Muslims define the define Buddha as the Jews, Christians or Muslims define the word “God”; they see Buddha as an Enlightened Being and word “God”; they see Buddha as an Enlightened Being and Teacher – and a perfect example to emulate and show Teacher – and a perfect example to emulate and show respect to.respect to.

Christianity:Christianity: Christians believe in One God, the Creator of Christians believe in One God, the Creator of the universe, as described in the Old Testament, who defined the universe, as described in the Old Testament, who defined Himself there as “I Am Who I AM”; many believe that He is Himself there as “I Am Who I AM”; many believe that He is actually a Trinity (Father, Son Jesus Christ & Holy Spirit), actually a Trinity (Father, Son Jesus Christ & Holy Spirit), and for many Christians Jesus Christ is not just a Son of God, and for many Christians Jesus Christ is not just a Son of God, but a God Himself as revealed to humanity, and for them but a God Himself as revealed to humanity, and for them “Jesus Christ” is a synonym for “God”.“Jesus Christ” is a synonym for “God”.

Beliefs not shared (2)Beliefs not shared (2)Unlike Christians, Buddhists do not believe in:Unlike Christians, Buddhists do not believe in:

An original golden eraAn original golden era in the in the Garden of EdenGarden of Eden, and a , and a subsequentsubsequent fall of humanity fall of humanity..

Original sinOriginal sin shared by all present-day humans, derived from shared by all present-day humans, derived from

Adam and Eve, and the belief in Adam and Eve, and the belief in depravity of mandepravity of man, derived from , derived from Calvinistic teachings.Calvinistic teachings.

A world-wide floodA world-wide flood in the time of Adam, causing the greatest in the time of Adam, causing the greatest

human genocide in history.human genocide in history. Jesus ChristJesus Christ as a personal savior, whose death enabled as a personal savior, whose death enabled

individual individual salvationsalvation. .

Eternal lifeEternal life spent in either a spent in either a heaven or hellheaven or hell after death. For after death. For Buddhists, heaven & hell are only temporary realms.Buddhists, heaven & hell are only temporary realms.

EEnd of the worldnd of the world in the near future. in the near future.

Beliefs not shared (3)Beliefs not shared (3)Unlike Christians, the Buddhists do not Unlike Christians, the Buddhists do not

believe in:believe in:

The existence of soulThe existence of soul::

Buddhism:Buddhism: One of Buddhist key terms & beliefs is One of Buddhist key terms & beliefs is annata = no (individual & unchanging) self or annata = no (individual & unchanging) self or soul.soul.

Christianity:Christianity: Most Christians believe in Most Christians believe in “having a “having a soul”soul” or or “being a soul”,“being a soul”, although many of them although many of them find it difficult to define exactly what they mean by find it difficult to define exactly what they mean by “soul”.“soul”.

Beliefs not shared (4)Beliefs not shared (4)

The Buddhist idea about the The Buddhist idea about the emptiness emptiness or voidness (sunnyata) of all concepts or voidness (sunnyata) of all concepts & phenomena& phenomena is not generally shared is not generally shared by Christians, only hinted at by a very by Christians, only hinted at by a very few mystical Christians (i.e. St John of few mystical Christians (i.e. St John of the Cross, Meister Eckhart, etc).the Cross, Meister Eckhart, etc).

Main differences between the teachings of Main differences between the teachings of Buddha & JesusBuddha & Jesus

BuddhaBuddha did not claim to have a special relationship with God. did not claim to have a special relationship with God.

JesusJesus did claim to have a special relationship with God.did claim to have a special relationship with God.______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

BuddhaBuddha claimed to point to the way by which we could claimed to point to the way by which we could escape suffering and attain enlightenment.escape suffering and attain enlightenment.

JesusJesus claimed to be the way by which we could receive claimed to be the way by which we could receive salvation and eternal life.salvation and eternal life.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

BuddhaBuddha taught that the way to eliminate suffering was by taught that the way to eliminate suffering was by eliminating desire.eliminating desire.

JesusJesus taught that the solution to suffering is found not in taught that the solution to suffering is found not in eliminating desire but in having right desire.eliminating desire but in having right desire.

Some Similar Beliefs (1)Some Similar Beliefs (1) Life after deathLife after death: : Almost all religions teach that a Almost all religions teach that a

person's personality continues after death. In fact, person's personality continues after death. In fact, many religious historians believe that this belief was many religious historians believe that this belief was the prime reason that motivated people to originally the prime reason that motivated people to originally create religions. Christianity and Buddhism are no create religions. Christianity and Buddhism are no exception. However, they conceive of life after death in exception. However, they conceive of life after death in very different forms:very different forms:

BuddhismBuddhism teaches that humans are trapped in a repetitive teaches that humans are trapped in a repetitive cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth, through reincarnation (of cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth, through reincarnation (of 99th th or Alaya Consciousness). One's goal is to escape from this or Alaya Consciousness). One's goal is to escape from this cycle and reach Nirvana. The mind experiences complete cycle and reach Nirvana. The mind experiences complete freedom, liberation and non-attachment. Suffering ends because freedom, liberation and non-attachment. Suffering ends because desire and craving -- the causes of suffering -- are no more.desire and craving -- the causes of suffering -- are no more.

ChristianityChristianity has historically taught that everyone has only a has historically taught that everyone has only a

single life on earth. After death, an eternal life awaits everyone: single life on earth. After death, an eternal life awaits everyone: either in Heaven or Hell. There is no suffering in Heaven; only either in Heaven or Hell. There is no suffering in Heaven; only joy. Suffering is eternal without any hope of cessation for the joy. Suffering is eternal without any hope of cessation for the inhabitants of Hell.inhabitants of Hell.

Some Similar Beliefs (2)Some Similar Beliefs (2)

On Eternal LifeOn Eternal Life

Buddhism:Buddhism: In a sense, there is a belief in an In a sense, there is a belief in an eternal life, through a cycle of births & rebirths, eternal life, through a cycle of births & rebirths, but one is not sure what one’s next life will end but one is not sure what one’s next life will end up being - a temporary heaven or hell - it all up being - a temporary heaven or hell - it all depends on the actions of one’s present life…depends on the actions of one’s present life…

Christianity:Christianity: Eternal life in heaven is promised Eternal life in heaven is promised to all who accept the free gift of salvation by to all who accept the free gift of salvation by Jesus Christ, without having to do anything else Jesus Christ, without having to do anything else to “deserve” it except to accept this “free gift”…to “deserve” it except to accept this “free gift”…

Some Shared Beliefs (1)Some Shared Beliefs (1) Ethic of Reciprocity (The Golden Rule):Ethic of Reciprocity (The Golden Rule):

Buddhism, Christianity and all of the other major world Buddhism, Christianity and all of the other major world religions share a basic rule of behavior which governs religions share a basic rule of behavior which governs how they are to treat others.how they are to treat others.

BuddhismBuddhism ““...a state that is not pleasing or delightful to me, how could I inflict ...a state that is not pleasing or delightful to me, how could I inflict

that upon another?"that upon another?"

Samyutta NIkaya v. Samyutta NIkaya v. 353. 353.

““Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful."Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful."

Udana-Varga 5:18.Udana-Varga 5:18.

ChristianityChristianity ““Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to

you, you,

do ye even so to them.”do ye even so to them.” Matthew 7:12.Matthew 7:12.

Some Shared Beliefs (2)Some Shared Beliefs (2) Themes of morality, justice, love:Themes of morality, justice, love: These themes These themes

are found through both the Buddha's teaching and are found through both the Buddha's teaching and the Hebrew and Christian Bible.the Hebrew and Christian Bible.

Beliefs about the power of prayer:Beliefs about the power of prayer: Some Some

traditions within Buddhism believe in the power of traditions within Buddhism believe in the power of prayer; others do not. Most Christians do believe in prayer; others do not. Most Christians do believe in the power of prayer. Unlike most Buddhists, the power of prayer. Unlike most Buddhists, especially Zen Buddhists, only some Christians especially Zen Buddhists, only some Christians believe in the wisdom that can be found in striving believe in the wisdom that can be found in striving for an “empty mind” or total mental silence.for an “empty mind” or total mental silence.

Beliefs about coming Savior:Beliefs about coming Savior: Some Buddhists believe in Miroku, or Maitreya Some Buddhists believe in Miroku, or Maitreya Buddha – the "Buddha – the "future Buddhafuture Buddha." They expect him to be ." They expect him to be reincarnated and spread Buddhism further. Most reincarnated and spread Buddhism further. Most Christians believe in the second coming of Jesus Christians believe in the second coming of Jesus Christ.Christ.

Some Shared Beliefs (3)Some Shared Beliefs (3)

Inability to express the highest Truth in Inability to express the highest Truth in wordswords

Just like many Buddhists, many Just like many Buddhists, many Christians, especially of the “mystical” Christians, especially of the “mystical” kind, realize that the highest Truth kind, realize that the highest Truth cannot be expressed in words, only incannot be expressed in words, only in

SilenceSilence -- i.e.i.e. total absence of total absence of cerebrationcerebration

Story of Meeting between a Zen Buddhist Monk & a Story of Meeting between a Zen Buddhist Monk & a Trappist Monk (1)Trappist Monk (1)A Zen Buddhist monk and a Trappist Christian monk met on a balmy spring day with the trees A Zen Buddhist monk and a Trappist Christian monk met on a balmy spring day with the trees leafing out and many flowers in bloom. They bowed and shook hands admiring each other's robes leafing out and many flowers in bloom. They bowed and shook hands admiring each other's robes and discussing many points of similarity in the organization of their monastic lives. Both had taken and discussing many points of similarity in the organization of their monastic lives. Both had taken vows of poverty. Both were celibate. Both lived in separated communities. Both had rituals they did vows of poverty. Both were celibate. Both lived in separated communities. Both had rituals they did every day. Enjoying this process of comparing their lives, they decided to explore the ideas that every day. Enjoying this process of comparing their lives, they decided to explore the ideas that informed their religious orders. They found a shady bench to gain shelter from the afternoon sun and informed their religious orders. They found a shady bench to gain shelter from the afternoon sun and began to talk.began to talk.

First the Trappist monk exclaimed, First the Trappist monk exclaimed, "Central to our thinking is the Trinitarian understanding of God. "Central to our thinking is the Trinitarian understanding of God. God is one expressed as three: The Father God from whom the Universe was created and to whom it God is one expressed as three: The Father God from whom the Universe was created and to whom it will return; The Son who took human form to show us, the alienated creatures of God, how to restore will return; The Son who took human form to show us, the alienated creatures of God, how to restore our relationship and who gave his life to appease the Father; and the Holy Spirit who continues the our relationship and who gave his life to appease the Father; and the Holy Spirit who continues the Divine presence in our daily lives by making the reality of God known to us in each moment.“Divine presence in our daily lives by making the reality of God known to us in each moment.“

The Zen monk responded, The Zen monk responded, "Your ideas of God are very strange to us. We do not believe in an "Your ideas of God are very strange to us. We do not believe in an omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent God. In fact we believe just the opposite. That there is nothing omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent God. In fact we believe just the opposite. That there is nothing beyond this wheel of cause and effect. Here is how we talk about it in the Lotus Sutra, one of our beyond this wheel of cause and effect. Here is how we talk about it in the Lotus Sutra, one of our most inspiring texts:most inspiring texts:

The Bodhisattva of Compassion From the depths of prajna wisdom saw the emptiness and The Bodhisattva of Compassion From the depths of prajna wisdom saw the emptiness and sundered the bonds that caused suffering.sundered the bonds that caused suffering.

Form here is only emptiness, emptiness only form. Form is no other than emptiness, Form here is only emptiness, emptiness only form. Form is no other than emptiness, emptiness no other than form.emptiness no other than form.

Gate, Gate, Para gate, Para sam gate, bohdi svaha! Gone, Gone, Gone beyond; Gone Gate, Gate, Para gate, Para sam gate, bohdi svaha! Gone, Gone, Gone beyond; Gone beyond the beyond, Wow! (very loosely translated) Respect, beyond the beyond, Wow! (very loosely translated) Respect,

honor and attention to the Awakened One!honor and attention to the Awakened One!

"Hmmm,""Hmmm," said the Trappist Monk. said the Trappist Monk. "This isn't going to be as easy as I had hoped. Some of what you "This isn't going to be as easy as I had hoped. Some of what you say reminds me of the centering prayer we do but it is also differentsay reminds me of the centering prayer we do but it is also different. . One thing I think we can agree One thing I think we can agree upon is the importance of what we do to help people get to heaven. I know that the fruit of my upon is the importance of what we do to help people get to heaven. I know that the fruit of my cloistered life will be to ascend to heaven after I die”.cloistered life will be to ascend to heaven after I die”.

"Not me!""Not me!" said the Zen monk. " said the Zen monk. "I have taken Bodhisattva vows. I will be reborn in this world again I have taken Bodhisattva vows. I will be reborn in this world again and again until all beings have been brought to enlightenment. If being born in hell helps in that and again until all beings have been brought to enlightenment. If being born in hell helps in that process, I'd gladly go.“process, I'd gladly go.“

"Very noble and courageous!""Very noble and courageous!" said the Trappist monk. said the Trappist monk. "I see our cosmologies are very different. I "I see our cosmologies are very different. I think though there is one area that I'm sure we can find agreement. The importance of faith. We think though there is one area that I'm sure we can find agreement. The importance of faith. We must believe our scriptures and teachers. We must clean out our doubts and fill our mind with must believe our scriptures and teachers. We must clean out our doubts and fill our mind with Divine Truth.“Divine Truth.“

"Sadly, again we have differences in thinking""Sadly, again we have differences in thinking" said the Zen monk. said the Zen monk. "The Buddha taught that we "The Buddha taught that we must not speculate about the nature of divine truth or overly revere a particular teacher. In fact must not speculate about the nature of divine truth or overly revere a particular teacher. In fact if we meet the Buddha on the road, kill him! This expression is a very profound puzzle, what we if we meet the Buddha on the road, kill him! This expression is a very profound puzzle, what we call a koan, we wrestle with. Our goal is to be independent of outside authority and find out what call a koan, we wrestle with. Our goal is to be independent of outside authority and find out what is true for ourselves. The Buddha insisted that his disciples not take his word for anything. The is true for ourselves. The Buddha insisted that his disciples not take his word for anything. The disciple was encouraged to sit down, meditate, follow his instructions and find out the answer disciple was encouraged to sit down, meditate, follow his instructions and find out the answer through personal experience.“through personal experience.“

For a moment the two sat with their brows furrowed wondering how they could talk to each other For a moment the two sat with their brows furrowed wondering how they could talk to each other when they had so many conceptual disagreements. One believed in God and the other didn't. One when they had so many conceptual disagreements. One believed in God and the other didn't. One was guided by faith and the other wasn't. One believed we had one life and the other many lives. was guided by faith and the other wasn't. One believed we had one life and the other many lives. How could they communicate?How could they communicate?

"I propose another way for us to dialogue with each other.""I propose another way for us to dialogue with each other." Said the Zen monk. Quietly he drew Said the Zen monk. Quietly he drew in a long deep breath and slowly exhaled the breath followed by a short shallow breath in and in a long deep breath and slowly exhaled the breath followed by a short shallow breath in and out. out.

The Trappist monk winked at him and repeated the same breaths. The incense of lilac was in the The Trappist monk winked at him and repeated the same breaths. The incense of lilac was in the warming spring air which awakened their minds to the present moment. warming spring air which awakened their minds to the present moment.

The Trappist monk gestured to a bold robin as it flew to their feet and chirped at them. The Zen The Trappist monk gestured to a bold robin as it flew to their feet and chirped at them. The Zen monk closed his eyes as a gentle breeze brushed his cheek. The Trappist monk scooped up some monk closed his eyes as a gentle breeze brushed his cheek. The Trappist monk scooped up some water from a nearby pool and sprinkled a little on the Zen monk's shaved head. The Zen monk water from a nearby pool and sprinkled a little on the Zen monk's shaved head. The Zen monk smiled and bowed.smiled and bowed.

While they couldn't agree conceptually about the structures of their religions, in that silent While they couldn't agree conceptually about the structures of their religions, in that silent moment of spiritual practice, they recognized something in the other which connected them as moment of spiritual practice, they recognized something in the other which connected them as brothers in wordless agreement.brothers in wordless agreement.

Story of Meeting between a Zen Buddhist Monk & a Story of Meeting between a Zen Buddhist Monk & a Trappist Monk (2)Trappist Monk (2)

Ten Precepts / VirtuesTen Precepts / Virtues 1. No killing any living beings1. No killing any living beings 2. No taking what has not been given2. No taking what has not been given 3. No sexual misconduct3. No sexual misconduct 4. No lying4. No lying 5. No drinking of liquor5. No drinking of liquor 6. No wearing or adornments and 6. No wearing or adornments and

perfumeperfume 7. No enjoying singing & dancing7. No enjoying singing & dancing 8. No sleeping in large, raised beds8. No sleeping in large, raised beds 9. No eating after noon9. No eating after noon 10. No possessing of gold, silver and other 10. No possessing of gold, silver and other

precious precious metalsmetals

The Ten CommandmentsThe Ten Commandments 1.1. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of

the land the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no shall have no other gods before me.other gods before me.

2. 2. You shall not make for yourself a graven image. You shall not make for yourself a graven image. You shall You shall not bow down to them or serve them.not bow down to them or serve them.

3.3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.in vain.

4.4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 5.5. Honor your father and your mother.Honor your father and your mother. 6.6. You shall not kill.You shall not kill. 7.7. You shall not commit adultery.You shall not commit adultery. 8.8. You shall not steal.You shall not steal. 9.9. You shall not bear false witness against your You shall not bear false witness against your

neighbor.neighbor. 10.10. You shall not covet.You shall not covet.

The Four Noble The Four Noble TruthsTruths

1. 1. All life involves sufferingAll life involves suffering

2. 2. The cause of suffering is desire and The cause of suffering is desire and attachmentattachment

3. 3. Desire and attachment can be Desire and attachment can be overcome, and overcome, and this this state is called state is called NirvanaNirvana

4. 4. The way to end suffering is through The way to end suffering is through following following the Eightfold Paththe Eightfold Path

The Eightfold PathThe Eightfold Path

1. Right view1. Right view 2. Right thought2. Right thought 3. Right speech3. Right speech 4. Right action4. Right action 5. Right livelihood5. Right livelihood 6. Right effort6. Right effort 7. Right mindfulness7. Right mindfulness 8. Right 8. Right

concentrationconcentration

Wisdom & Understanding

Ethical Conduct

Mental Discipline

Questions & Answers (1)Questions & Answers (1) Do Buddhists believe in God?Do Buddhists believe in God?

It depends what you mean by God. Within the various schools It depends what you mean by God. Within the various schools of Buddhism there is a great deal of variation in the belief in a of Buddhism there is a great deal of variation in the belief in a Supreme Being. Beliefs range from atheism, through Supreme Being. Beliefs range from atheism, through agnosticism, monotheism ('ground of being')  up to agnosticism, monotheism ('ground of being')  up to multifaceted aspects of Enlightened Mind… multifaceted aspects of Enlightened Mind…

One of the pre-eminent deities of Tibet is actually a Goddess - One of the pre-eminent deities of Tibet is actually a Goddess - Tara, the compassionate rescuer and Holy Mother. She is often Tara, the compassionate rescuer and Holy Mother. She is often seen as being equivalent to the Virgin Mary in the Christian seen as being equivalent to the Virgin Mary in the Christian pantheon. pantheon.

At a more philosophical rather than devotional level, there are At a more philosophical rather than devotional level, there are certain difficulties with accepting the Judeo-Christian idea of certain difficulties with accepting the Judeo-Christian idea of an omniscient, omnipotent, logically necessary being or First an omniscient, omnipotent, logically necessary being or First Cause. Within Buddhist philosophy this view of God would be Cause. Within Buddhist philosophy this view of God would be regarded as suffering from a number of internal logical regarded as suffering from a number of internal logical contradictions, and possibly a rather dubious politically contradictions, and possibly a rather dubious politically motivated history.motivated history.

Questions & Answers (2)Questions & Answers (2) Isn't the aim of Buddhism to become Isn't the aim of Buddhism to become

completely detached from everyone and completely detached from everyone and everything? everything?

No,  the idea that Buddhists seek total No,  the idea that Buddhists seek total detachment or indifference to others is detachment or indifference to others is disinformation originated in the Papal Bull  disinformation originated in the Papal Bull  'Crossing the Threshold of Hope'. 'Crossing the Threshold of Hope'.

The truth is that Buddhists are motivated by The truth is that Buddhists are motivated by compassion to work towards being reborn compassion to work towards being reborn into situations where they can reduce the into situations where they can reduce the suffering of all sentient beings, and ultimately suffering of all sentient beings, and ultimately lead them all to enlightenment. lead them all to enlightenment.

Questions & Answers (3)Questions & Answers (3) Isn’t Buddhism a form of nihilism?Isn’t Buddhism a form of nihilism?

No. Buddhism uses negation (similar to No. Buddhism uses negation (similar to thetheVia NegativaVia Negativa in Christian mysticism) in in Christian mysticism) in their philosophical arguments for the their philosophical arguments for the purpose of:purpose of:

highlighting the relativity (thus only partial highlighting the relativity (thus only partial truth or falsity) of all opposing viewpoints;truth or falsity) of all opposing viewpoints;

stilling the usual discursive, fickle and stilling the usual discursive, fickle and conceited mind;conceited mind;

arriving at the non-dual experience called arriving at the non-dual experience called Nirvana… Nirvana…

Questions & Answers (4)Questions & Answers (4) There are so many different schools of Buddhism, more There are so many different schools of Buddhism, more

than there are sects of Christianity. They can't all be right, than there are sects of Christianity. They can't all be right, so most of them must be wrong. Which is the real so most of them must be wrong. Which is the real Buddhism? Buddhism?

One reason there are so many different schools is that Buddhists accept One reason there are so many different schools is that Buddhists accept and respect diversity. It is said that there are 84,000 gateways to the and respect diversity. It is said that there are 84,000 gateways to the Dharma (Buddha's teachings).  Buddha presented the same underlying Dharma (Buddha's teachings).  Buddha presented the same underlying philosophy with different 'user-interfaces' according to the philosophy with different 'user-interfaces' according to the predispositions of the students.  predispositions of the students. 

When you think about it, people are so different in character, When you think about it, people are so different in character, temperament and experience that it would be surprising if one size did fit temperament and experience that it would be surprising if one size did fit all.all.

Another reason for the great diversity is that, in general, the various Another reason for the great diversity is that, in general, the various schools of Buddhism don't persecute one another.  There have been a few schools of Buddhism don't persecute one another.  There have been a few local exceptions, but nothing on the scale of the fratricidal sectarian wars local exceptions, but nothing on the scale of the fratricidal sectarian wars which have waged for hundreds of years within Christendom. which have waged for hundreds of years within Christendom.

So the answer to the question 'which form of Buddhism is right?' - It's the So the answer to the question 'which form of Buddhism is right?' - It's the one that's right for you! one that's right for you!

Questions & Answers (5)Questions & Answers (5)

Don’t all religion reject evolution?Don’t all religion reject evolution?

Buddhism is the one exception, and is quite Buddhism is the one exception, and is quite happy with the theory of evolution. In fact happy with the theory of evolution. In fact Buddhist philosophy actually requires Buddhist philosophy actually requires evolution to take place -  all things are seen evolution to take place -  all things are seen as being transient, constantly becoming, as being transient, constantly becoming, existing for a while and then fading.  The existing for a while and then fading.  The idea of unchanging species would not be idea of unchanging species would not be compatible with Buddhist teachings.compatible with Buddhist teachings.

Questions & Answers (6)Questions & Answers (6)

Don’t all religions cause terrorism and war?Don’t all religions cause terrorism and war?

With stories of religious terrorism seldom out of the news With stories of religious terrorism seldom out of the news nowadays, there is a tendency in the West to regard all Asian nowadays, there is a tendency in the West to regard all Asian religions as dangerous fanatical cults. Non-Western religions are religions as dangerous fanatical cults. Non-Western religions are often lumped together as being barbaric, primitive, intolerant and often lumped together as being barbaric, primitive, intolerant and aggressive.aggressive.

This is discriminatory, ethnocentric, and very unfair to Buddhism. This is discriminatory, ethnocentric, and very unfair to Buddhism. Buddhism is peaceful, promotes the arts and sciences, forbids wars Buddhism is peaceful, promotes the arts and sciences, forbids wars of conquest, and has been associated with some very advanced of conquest, and has been associated with some very advanced civilizations, such as that of King Ashoka in the third century BC.    civilizations, such as that of King Ashoka in the third century BC.   

Any religion which propagates by intimidation rather than Any religion which propagates by intimidation rather than reasoned argument, or needs to silence its critics by the bomb and reasoned argument, or needs to silence its critics by the bomb and bullet, is obviously deeply insecure. Fanatical aggression bullet, is obviously deeply insecure. Fanatical aggression demonstrates that a religion's memoids know consciously or demonstrates that a religion's memoids know consciously or subconsciously that their beliefs are based on insecure foundations, subconsciously that their beliefs are based on insecure foundations, which cannot withstand rational examination. which cannot withstand rational examination.

Quote from Christian Quote from Christian MysticismMysticism

St John of the CrossSt John of the Cross In order to arrive at being everything, In order to arrive at being everything,

desire to be nothing.desire to be nothing.

Quote from BuddhismQuote from Buddhism

Why are you so unhappy?Why are you so unhappy?

Because 99,9 per centBecause 99,9 per cent

of everything you thinkof everything you think

and everything you doand everything you do

is for yourself—is for yourself—

and there and there isn’t one.isn’t one.

From Ask the Awakened by Wei WuWei

Thank YouThank YouIvan FrimmelIvan Frimmel

Cell: 082-454-0311Cell: 082-454-0311

E-mail: ivan.frimmel@nanhua.co.zaE-mail: ivan.frimmel@nanhua.co.za