The Buddha a Catholic Saint...

[Terrence]

Thats the only qualification.

[taijasi]

Originally Posted by Terrence

the essentials are essential to the faith and is the litmus test whereby a person can be named a Biblical Chrisitan.

But we're not asking about whether the Buddha is a "Biblical Christian!" The New Testament wasn't written for 6 or 7 centuries after Buddha's incarnation as Siddharta Gautama! Then again, this is true of plenty of the characters one reads about in the Bible. They weren't Christians at all! They were Jews!

So was Moses a "Biblical Christian?" Or Abraham, Jonah, Joshua? Ha! NO!

But were they SAINTS? This is as interesting a question to me as whether the Buddha might be. Any resident Catholics on hand to address this? Q? Thomas?

Namaksar,

andrew

[Terrence]

Here's the thing, I'll give yout the really quick answer (kinda busy). All the OT saints where saved the same way as the NT saints: Faith in the Messiah. The OT trusted in the promise to come (Jesus) and the NT saints trusted in the one that came (Jesus). We're saved by grace through faith, remember? Jesus is the key here. He Himself said that many came before Him, but they were all false and the wrong paths/way. He is the only way to eternal life and God. As for where they saints was? I dont understand what you mean..

[wil]

I'd still like to get back to the original post.

Terence it seems you disagree with the particulars of Catholic Saints and that is ok but is not what is being discussed, but as to the actual information surrounding this saint.

http://www.christiannewage.com/StIodasaph.html
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02297a.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josaphat_(saint)

So far I haven't discovered any significant disagreements with the statement...other than it appears it is believed they cannonized a fictitious person, a christianized story of Buddha...

[Terrence]

sorry for spamming then. Continue guys...

[taijasi]

Originally Posted by Terrence

Here's the thing, I'll give yout the really quick answer (kinda busy). All the OT saints where saved the same way as the NT saints: Faith in the Messiah. The OT trusted in the promise to come (Jesus) and the NT saints trusted in the one that came (Jesus). We're saved by grace through faith, remember? Jesus is the key here. He Himself said that many came before Him, but they were all false and the wrong paths/way. He is the only way to eternal life and God. As for where they saints was? I dont understand what you mean..

Perhaps it helps to be Catholic, or to familiarize oneself with the qualifications for sainthood. Easy to fix; we can learn online.

As for faith as the path to salvation, you've already opened Pandora's Box. Many Christians will say that one needs faith + works. And I tend to go the opposite direction. Your faith and a buck fifty .... err, nevermind. If it keeps you smiling, then it's a good thing.

andrew

[cyberpi]

Originally Posted by taijasi

Perhaps it helps to be Catholic, or to familiarize oneself with the qualifications for sainthood. Easy to fix; we can learn online.

As for faith as the path to salvation, you've already opened Pandora's Box. Many Christians will say that one needs faith + works. And I tend to go the opposite direction. Your faith and a buck fifty .... err, nevermind. If it keeps you smiling, then it's a good thing.

andrew

If that is the opposite direction, what is the direction that says: faith = works directed by another? What does Buddha say?

[taijasi]

Originally Posted by cyberpi

If that is the opposite direction, what is the direction that says: faith = works directed by another? What does Buddha say?

Hmmm, I'm not sure I understand what you mean? As for what the Buddha says, you might try looking at the thread on the Dhammapada. I think that clears it up. "All we are, is the result of what we have thought." Or as my good (Christian) friend puts it, What we do today determines our tomorrow.

My friend has also been known to say, "If you want potatoes, ya gotta pick up the hoe." Some great, if simple, wisdom in that ... with a world of application!

Then again, next thing we know, St. Peter won't be a Saint, an Apostle, or even a Christian. Damn, the jury may convict him yet!

Forgive my meandering, let's get back to the topic at hand. Thanks for the nudge, wil.

Namaskar,

taijasi

[Terrence]

Originally Posted by taijasi

Perhaps it helps to be Catholic, or to familiarize oneself with the qualifications for sainthood. Easy to fix; we can learn online.

As for faith as the path to salvation, you've already opened Pandora's Box. Many Christians will say that one needs faith + works. And I tend to go the opposite direction. Your faith and a buck fifty .... err, nevermind. If it keeps you smiling, then it's a good thing.

andrew

So you're a catholic? You have some special remedy to become a saint other than what the bible teaches? Again, the bible calls anyone who have repented and placed their trust in Jesus, a saint. As for faith and works. Lets not suppose what we think or believe but instead go by what scriptures teach. There are 2 wings that will fly us to the God. They are 1. Repentence and 2. Faith. When we have true faith (that which God gaves to those He wills) you will have works as a fruit or byproduct, that will prove you have true saving faith. True faith cannot exist without works, they go hand in hand. This is not to say that we work to prove our faith or gain salvation. Rather, works results from true faith and is not used to gain salvation, but instead used to Glorify God. In essence: We are saved for Good works and not by good works.

[BlaznFattyz]

Originally Posted by Terrence

There are 2 wings that will fly us to the God. They are 1. Repentence and 2. Faith.

...in christ. (i would like to add.)

[taijasi]

Lol! No Terrence, I am not a Catholic. Nor am I a Protestant. Definitely not a Calvinist ... although my parents are Lutheran. I attended Lutheran churches for 13 years or so, but that was only until I began asking questions. After finding my own answers, I've decided I'm not interested in being in the "member's only" club.

Predestination is nonsense to me. I do agree with your penultimate statement from the previous post. But that's about it. And you can't say things like "the Bible says" and expect that to stick. Which version, after which revision and edits? That's a rhetorical question, btw ...

Nevermind this though, let's get back on topic. I find it fascinating that the Catholic Church accidentally canonized the Buddha! Maybe there's hope (for us die-hard ecumenists) after all!

Then again, it's about time!!! Buddhism, Hinduism, and other Eastern traditions have accepted Jesus as a Saint, even as an enlightened Bodhisattva (by some classifications) ... for AGES! The least Christianity could do would be to reciprocate. I mean this quite seriously.

One way to think about it, would be to imagine, what if Christ met Buddha? Anyone who things an argument would ensue ... might just have a screw loose. Then again, for those who have witnessed the Tibetan monks debating, such as those of Drepung, Ganden or SeraJe monasteries, I think an exchange between Christ and the Buddha would be rather lively! And if you haven't seen Tibetan monks debating - you're missing out!

cheers,

taijasa

[bodhi_mindisfree]

Predestination is nonsense to me. I do agree with your penultimate statement from the previous post. But that's about it. And you can't say things like "the Bible says" and expect that to stick. Which version, after which revision and edits? That's a rhetorical question, btw ...

In my opinion, the bible isn't credible in it's current status because it has been translated from Hebrew, Greek, and Latin to English or whatever other language. When I am in spanish class every other day, the teacher (Dr. Gill) tells us some words cannot be translated from Spanish to English. Same must be true for all languages. But I'm a Buddhist, I don't read the bible anyway...

One way to think about it, would be to imagine, what if Christ met Buddha? Anyone who things an argument would ensue ... might just have a screw loose. Then again, for those who have witnessed the Tibetan monks debating, such as those of Drepung, Ganden or SeraJe monasteries, I think an exchange between Christ and the Buddha would be rather lively! And if you haven't seen Tibetan monks debating - you're missing out!

If there are any Christians here who are interested in Buddhist Christian Dialogue, I have two books I am trying to give away. LIVING BUDDHA, LIVING CHRIST and GOING HOME, JESUS AND BUDDHA AS BROTHERS both by Thich Nhat Hanh. This is legite, I will mail the books free of charge and give them free of charge because I practise the buddhist form of Dana (charity), plus I have doubles of the books and wish to share. Both books are top ten bestsellers (or were in their day) and LIVING BUDDHA LIVING CHRIST is nominated as "One of the top ten books for educated people." If you do not believe I will mail these too you for free, private message toujour_333. I gave him three books. I only have these two left. So the first two people who message me (not in this discussion forum) I will give them too.

SABBE SATTA SUKHITO HONTU!

May all beings be Happy!

[seattlegal]

Originally Posted by taijasi

And if you haven't seen Tibetan monks debating - you're missing out!

Oh, do you mean something like Liberation through mutual exorcism? That might be a bit too lively for CR.

[BlaznFattyz]

the desire to please god thru gods grace so the glory of god maybe manifested is alot different than man quest to perfect humanitarianism.
all things of man will end, but those things of the lord god will remain forever.

[taijasi]

Originally Posted by bodhi_mindisfree

If there are any Christians here who are interested in Buddhist Christian Dialogue, I have two books I am trying to give away. LIVING BUDDHA, LIVING CHRIST and GOING HOME, JESUS AND BUDDHA AS BROTHERS both by Thich Nhat Hanh. This is legite, I will mail the books free of charge and give them free of charge because I practise the buddhist form of Dana (charity), plus I have doubles of the books and wish to share. Both books are top ten bestsellers (or were in their day) and LIVING BUDDHA LIVING CHRIST is nominated as "One of the top ten books for educated people." If you do not believe I will mail these too you for free, private message toujour_333. I gave him three books. I only have these two left. So the first two people who message me (not in this discussion forum) I will give them too.

SABBE SATTA SUKHITO HONTU!

May all beings be Happy!

Oh my goodness, I hadn't noticed which Dallas! I'm in Greensboro. We should meet for coffee or something! And if you have those wonderful books, I'd love to have them! I don't own copies, although I have quite a few of Thich Nhat Hanh's other books. He's the first Buddhist author I ever read ... about 17 years ago.

Originally Posted by seattlegal

Oh, do you mean something like Liberation through mutual exorcism? That might be a bit too lively for CR.

Oh, I dunno. I find that part of the Sacred Music, Sacred Dance tour the most enjoyable. It's the Purification of the Environment with dungchen (longhorns), and overtone chanting, that scares most people.

Originally Posted by blaznfattyz

the desire to please god thru gods grace so the glory of god maybe manifested is alot different than man quest to perfect humanitarianism.
all things of man will end, but those things of the lord god will remain forever.

Okay, but can you tie this in with the canonization of the Buddha as a Saint?

Namaskar,

taijasi