Posted by giveawayboy on July 14, 2002 at 04:09:58:
In Reply to: Re: which point is that? posted by Bob - the Alien on July 13, 2002 at 23:51:33:
: I've never studied it. But I can see if it tries to mix those two, it could go awry quite easily. I think you can pick one and use the other as a tool for self-knowledge, they don't work as well when directly combined. As I mentioned somewhere else on this board, christian beliefs will necessarily invalidate some eastern though. And vice versa.
: I think knowing a variety of perspectives helps, but they don't truly mix.
I agree with Bob here. I would recommend the Dalai Lama's lectures in THE GOOD HEART or any of his other books on interreligious dialogue. It is very important in his thinking to keep the two traditions separate while respecting what each has to offer. Also, instead of presenting Buddhism to westerners as a religion for them, he usually stresses the importance for them to stay within their own traditions yet to incorporate the principles which can be found in Buddhism which can be a sort of secular ethics for all people. This is a good approach. He also strongly advises against unnecessary conversions, something that many Christians are starting to see the importance of as well. Although the Christians have a built-in conviction to share what they know about Jesus they are also starting to see less need for pushing conversion onto folks and more desire to let people be led by God directly to conversion. In any case both Eastern (mainly Buddhist and Hindu)spiritual leaders and even many Western (Christian, Jewish, Moslem)leaders advise against external conversions --i.e. going from one religion to another, esp. across EAST/WEST cultural divides, without interior conversion of the heart and mind. Ultimately, we Christians have the evangelical message and mission to deal with, since we truly believe that Jesus is the 'way' to salvation. And since we believe he has entrusted us with this mission. However, we don't need to be anxious about it as God is the one who draws people to himself, in whatever ways he chooses. In this way, we are being true to our Christian religion yet not dishonoring or spiritually abusing those of other spiritual traditions; something we have been famous for throughout our existence.
Peace, Bill