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Buddhists/buddhist view

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Expert: - 8/16/2010


Question
Hello!
What does buddhism think of christianty and how should a buddhist relate to christianity?

Answer
Dear Hank,

Thank you for the opportunity to answer your questions. I will try to answer them to the best of my ability.

"What does buddhism think of christianty and how should a buddhist relate to christianity?"

I cannot answer how and what all Buddhists feel about Christianity or any other religion. It would have to come down to that particular individual. However, a true Buddhist would never judge a person based on a religion or belief. Buddhists believe that each human being has the ability and potential to liberate themselves from their own suffering. What the Buddha taught was truth, not just Buddhist truth, but universal truths. Therefore, as the term implies, universal truths are true for all beings, regardless of sex, creed, religion, age, species or any other factor. All living beings are on a path, a path that encounters suffering every step of the way. At the end, there is cessation of suffering. Each human being is only responsible for their journey, their path. Therefore, true Buddhists would not judge or even critique another’s journey or their path.

As with all religions, we cannot judge the religion itself based on the actions of its followers. All followers are merely human beings. All human beings are fallible. That is our nature. Therefore, we will make mistakes. Those mistakes belong solely to the individual who makes them. That individual is responsible for their mistakes and the results that come from it, not the religion. Therefore, we must be careful lest we judge a religion based on its followers. If all followers acted properly and harmoniously, what need would we have for religion?

There have been many religions in the history of the world, and there will be many more. A religion is basically man’s best attempt at understanding the world and the truths and suffering inherent to our existence. Since this is their best effort at alleviating their suffering, who are we to judge?

I hope I have answered your question.

Sincerely,

Phra Anandapanyo

Buddhists

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Anandapanyo Bhikkhu

Expertise

I can answer questions about Buddhist practice, Buddhist understanding and how to apply Buddhism to daily life. I can help analyze Buddhist sayings and teachings. In addition, I can help with questions Buddhism stories, fables and Vinaya(rules). I have meditated for over 10 years and can help you start with meditation. In addition, I can help provide insight into what to do when you feel that you have hit a wall with your meditation. My main area of expertise is how to think in accordance with Sammaditthi (the right view - and number 1 in the Buddha's Noble Eightfold Path. If I cannot answer your question, I have many able teachers with over 20 years experience to help me, so chances are I will be able to find an answer for you.

Experience

I have been practicing Buddhism for over 13 years. I started studying under various famous Thai Theravada masters. Finally, I met and studied under Phra Acariya Thoon Khippapanyo who has recently passed away on Nov 11, 2008 and is widely accepted as a great Arahant (fully enlightened) teacher of our time. In addition, I have personally read and studied much of the Buddhist scriptures and popular literature available. I have recently undertaken the ordination vows and have become a Buddhist monk in the theravada forest monk tradition. I reside at a temple with many dedicated practitioners and great teachers. I have been practicing training my mind to be aligned with right view (sammaditthi) for over 10 years. I have also been meditating for over 10 years. In my time spent with Acariya Thoon, I learned many things and was able to incorporate them into my life. In addition to practicing Buddhism within temples and my home, I used to own two restaurants and managed commercial real estate. I had to deal with many different and problems. I learned how to use Buddhism to fix my problems, both externally (my environment) and internally (within me).

Organizations
Wat San Fran Dhammaram Temple KPY - a non-profit religious organization

Publications
none

Education/Credentials
Electrical Engineering Degree from the University of California Santa Barbara MBA from San Francisco State

Awards and Honors
none

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