Dalai Lama: "Christians understand the Buddhist spirit." (Buddhism, church, Islam)

[WesternPilgrim]

The Dalai Lama was recently interviewed for "Vatican Insider" magazine, and had some noteworthy things to say about Christianity.

“Christians are very close to the Buddhist spirit. I think of the example of monastic life, of the attention and the time it devotes to meditation."

“Our Christian brothers and sisters have given the greatest contribution to education and health, all over the world. Other religious traditions, like mine, have been less active in this field. We must be more engaged.”

[MasterChief]

The Dalai Lama needs to have the Gospel explained to him. It sounds like he doesn't understand what Christianity is really about.

[RevelationWriter]

Originally Posted by MasterChief

The Dalai Lama needs to have the Gospel explained to him. It sounds like he doesn't understand what Christianity is really about.

Yeah, maybe The Catholics will do it.

[Pleroo]

“All major religious traditions, although they differ in theological interpretations, carry basically the same message, that is love, compassion, tolerance, forgiveness.”

I agree with him ... but the message has gotten distorted by "tradition" to the point where it's nearly unrecognizable.

[MasterChief]

Originally Posted by Pleroo

“All major religious traditions, although they differ in theological interpretations, carry basically the same message, that is love, compassion, tolerance, forgiveness.”

I agree with him ... but the message has gotten distorted by "tradition" to the point where it's nearly unrecognizable.

I don't believe that is true, actually. Islam teaches submission to allah...either willingly, or they will make you submit through Shariah Law. There is no love or tolerance there. I'm not sure Buddhism really even teaches the concept of forgiveness of sins...does it? I think it's kind of a self-help, self-improvement type thing.

For that matter, only Christianity teaches that you do not have to better yourself in order to make yourself worthy to the deity. Only Christianity teaches that God took the punishment to save wretched sinners in spite of the fact that they hate him.

[Pleroo]

"...Often people consider religion something ancient and dated. Perhaps some dress or traditions can be old, but the essence of religious instruction is love and compassion; human values that are important also for the non-believers.”

Maybe he should have said they are important also for the "non-religious". One does not have to be religious, nor be instructed by religion, to believe that love and compassion are important human values.

[Pleroo]

Originally Posted by MasterChief

I don't believe that is true, actually. Islam teaches submission to allah...either willingly, or they will make you submit through Shariah Law. There is no love or tolerance there. I'm not sure Buddhism really even teaches the concept of forgiveness of sins...does it? I think it's kind of a self-help, self-improvement type thing.

For that matter, only Christianity teaches that you do not have to better yourself in order to make yourself worthy to the deity. Only Christianity teaches that God took the punishment to save wretched sinners in spite of the fact that they hate him.

I'm not well versed in the Muslim religion, but I believe Muslim mystics do believe in the importance of love and compassion and forgiveness.

As far as what you say Christianity teaches... that's part of the "tradition" that tends to cloud the message.

[Pleroo]

Originally Posted by Pleroo

I'm not well versed in the Muslim religion, but I believe Muslim mystics do believe in the importance of love and compassion and forgiveness.

Muslim mystic, Rumi:

Rumi Quotes on Love —

[chielgirl]

Originally Posted by Pleroo

“All major religious traditions, although they differ in theological interpretations, carry basically the same message, that is love, compassion, tolerance, forgiveness.”

I agree with him ... but the message has gotten distorted by "tradition" to the point where it's nearly unrecognizable.

Nearly?
You optimist.

[Pleroo]

Originally Posted by chielgirl

Nearly?
You optimist.

I worship at the Church of the Half-Full Glass.