Expert: Bodhicitta - 10/19/2006

Question
I am a christian and very proud of my faith. I try to be a good person. However, unlike most christians I remain very open to new faiths and am always willing to try something new. I believe that there is more than one path to enlightenment. I have long been interested in Buddism. Can you give me any ideas on how to incorporate Buddism into my own faith without going against my own faith?

Answer
Hi Sophie
I guess the question is why would you not just stay a Christian? I think one needs to think very careful indeed about looking outside one's faith. Many Christians are interested by Buddhist meditation these days as they feel this is a more experiential approach or that something is lacking for them in Christianity these days.

I know it is n;t a popular thing to say these days. But
I would say that there is a lot about Buddhism and Christianity that are not compatible. For example Buddhism does not advocate a creator god, or believe in christ. Buddhism
is based on working with a vast sense of openness beyond beliefs and using meditation to find transcendental experience of truth.

If you are truly proud and inspired by your faith I would say think very carefully before changing.

Bodhicitta