Expert: Justin Choo - 3/2/2005

Question
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Followup To
Question -
I have read enough to know that I have an appreciation and respect for the peaceful mindfulness of Buddhism. However, I am still not sure of a few things. Is Budda considered a God or is he simply thought of as the master teacher of the Buddist's culture? How does a "Christian Buddist" rationalize his beliefs between the two religions? As an American who is tired of the hustle and bustle of American life, would there be any options for a person interested in moveing to a foreign country and persuing the life of a monk or a similar position?
Answer -
Hi Leslie,
Thank you for asking me.

It is very comforting to know that you have embarked on the spiritual journey of universal truth.

The Buddha was an ordinary human being, but his mind was extra-ordinary, because he had succeeded in purifying his mind through a very long period of time in countless past lives.  His mind was at the zenith of understanding; and through the power of his mind he was able to discover the universal truth of life and the universe.  Through his compassion, he decided to share with us this universal truth.  It is up to us whether to follow or not.  

It is not wise to want to "rationalize".  Rationalization means to come to a compromise of two or more apparent contradictory concepts, ideas, or beliefs.  If two are contradictory, how could they possibly be in agreement?  To rationalize is to court further problems because we have to invent additional rationalizing explanations to substantiate the contradictions.  It is just like inventing additional lies to cover for the first lie.  You have to investigate and study further the subjects in order to decide rationally.  Please be patient and to take your time.

As for your last question, I think the best approach is to visit some nearest temples and get acquainted with the Buddhist community.  You can also surf the internet to gather more information.  You can start off with the 2 sites below:
www.dharmanet.org
www.buddhanet.net

Hope you are satisfied with my answers.  Please come back if you need further clarifications.

Smile from justinchoo :-)



(follow-up)

    I am not a christian. I am Gnostic meaning that I search for truth. My relationship with God is mine and mine alone, for everyone has their own personal relationship with God that will differ slightly from everyone else's. I love Buddism, for it was the philosophical views and inate wisdom behind those views that lead me to realize the universal truths that govern everything and eventually lead me to Gnosticism. In discovering the universal, I found out that there are also personal truths that individuals come to believe for the sake of fulfilling their purpose and learning the things that the individual may have a diminished concept of.
? # 1
Is Budda considered a God or is he simply thought of as the master teacher of the Buddist's culture?

The reason I asked this question is because, in all that I have read, this question has not been directly answered. It would appear as though Budda was considered a God when watching the customs and traditions of practicing Buddists when compared to the traditiions of other religions. However, when reading about Buddism (including your original answer to my question) it would seem as though he was only a great and wonderful teacher. Budda was advanced to say the least, but is he all powerful?

? # 1 fine tuned
In the heart of a Buddist, is Budda thought of as an all-powerful being, or a wonderful loving teacher? I am sure it is not that simple. Please explain how a Buddist looks to Budda as being what?

? # 2
How does a "Christian Buddist" rationalize his beliefs between the two religions?

I don't understand how Buddism and Christianity can co-exist in the same person. I don,t really understand but from what I remember, the beliefs of Buddism are perfect for mixing just about any religion, for Buddism is a peaceful religion of a philosophical nature that has extended itself beyond the material world and rises above the pety differences between cultures, beliefs, color, etc. But, Christianity is a pety religion of details, material laws, and rules. As a dogmatic religion. Chistianity keeps the congregation in ignorance believeing that what can't be understood materially or worldly wasn't meant to be understood(the misteries). It would simply appear that Christian beliefs would tear down the beliefs of the Buddist and eventually make the buddist slip and begin to forget his original perspective. It is easy to become caught up in worldly things and loose sight of your higher consciousness.  I understand that the Buddist's knowledge of life is not a frivolous thing and could not be let go of easily. It just seems to me that a Buddist must be looking more to his understanding of life and knowing that the Christian beleif structure is flawed; therefore, he would not really be excepting the full Christian belief in its entirety. I don't see another way but to "rationalize" or quietly disagree. Please explain the best you can and not spare me the deepest spiritual insight for there is no judgement here, for what good would come from the most bueatiful sunrise if everyone was blind.    
      

         Thank you for your time and effort,  
         Leslie


just thought of something-
You wouldn't have to have eyes to feel the warmth of the sun.  

Answer
Hi Leslie,

Thank you for coming back.

? # 1
Is Budda considered a God or is he simply thought of as the master teacher of the Buddist's culture?
Since you want a direct answer, then the Buddha was not a God.  In the first place, the Buddha had told us that there was no such person.   


? # 1 fine tuned
In the heart of a Buddist, is Budda thought of as an all-powerful being, or a wonderful loving teacher? I am sure it is not that simple. Please explain how a Buddist looks to Budda as being what?

You are right.  It is not that simple.  As the Buddha's teachings are very profound and difficult to understand for those new to Buddhism, I try not to introduce the scriptural teachings of the Buddha, but in layman's language.  The Buddha in fact was as you put it, an all- powerful being, apart from a wonderful loving teacher.  "Buddha" means "the fully enlightened one".  He was a teacher of gods and men.  "Gods", for lack of a better English term, means "angels" of higher planes of existence.  The big difference was in his MIND.  The Buddha had cultivated his mind through unimaginable long periods of time through his countless lives, culminating in his last birth which he achieved full enlightenment.  The power of a completely pure mind is beyond the comprehension of an average person.  As an example, a diffused light has little energy; but a compressed laser light exerts enormous power.  A purified mind has the power to understand everything and can perform miraculous feats.  However, the Buddha repeatedly warned his followers not to be engrossed with supernatural powers.  He would not allow his monks to exhibit their supernatural powers.  His emphasis was on his teachings, not on his supernatural powers.
We revere the Buddha for his TEACHINGS, and not for his supernatural abilities.  The former is beneficial when we put into practice.  The latter has nothing to do with us.
His discovery is useful to us.  The Buddha had passed away and gone.  We do not depend on him.  We only use his discovery to improve ourselves.  Just like we don't need Faraday (the man who discovered electricty), we need only to use his discovery to our benefit.



? # 2
How does a "Christian Buddist" rationalize his beliefs between the two religions?
I don't understand how Buddism and Christianity can co-exist in the same person.

As I said before, you cannot rationize this.  You cannot understand because, simply put, both cannot be the same.  Both can co-exist as two different entities.  But to fuse them together, definiely not, and impossible.  It is just like 2 sides of a coin.  Both can co-exist, but both cannot occupy the same side.  Christian thoughts are totally different from Buddhist teachings.  The greatest difference is in the belief in the creator God.  There CANNOT be an agreement on this.  That is why one CANNOT be both a Christian as well as a Buddhist.



"It would simply appear that Christian beliefs would tear down the beliefs of the Buddist and eventually make the buddist slip and begin to forget his original perspective."

Chritians, epecially the so-called Evangelists, would like to do just that.  In fact they have found fertile grounds in Asian countries, like India, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Philipines, just to name a few.  A well- informed Buddhist (if I may call myself), cannot fall victim to these people, simply because he has a firm foundation in his understanding of the teachings of the Buddha. It is those who have no sound Buddhist foundation that a vacuum exists for the Evangelists to suck in.



"I understand that the Buddist's knowledge of life is not a frivolous thing and could not be let go of easily. It just seems to me that a Buddist must be looking more to his understanding of life and knowing that the Christian beleif structure is flawed; therefore, he would not really be excepting the full Christian belief in its entirety. I don't see another way but to "rationalize" or quietly disagree."

You have put the correct words in my mouth.  This is exactly the fact.   To put it squarely; what we believe are the teachings of the Buddha.  Other people's beliefs are of no concern to us.  Therefore, the question of "rationalize" is not an issue and not relevent in our pursuit to learn Buddhism.


"Please explain the best you can and not spare me the deepest spiritual insight for there is no judgement here, for what good would come from the most bueatiful sunrise if everyone was blind."

The Buddha's teachings is like "AIR".  It does not discriminate; it is free for whoever wants to breath.  If anyone chooses not to breath simply because it is "Buddhist AIR", then it is up to the person.


Hope I have answered your questions.  Please come again if you need further clarifications.
Smile from justinchoo :-)