Buddist Catholics?!

[hopeful1]

Ok, I'm taking "world history to 1500" in college, and we were studying India and Buddhism, and my professor in an attempt to compare religions mentions that there are "buddhist Catholics" which basically made me look like this>
Unless if he refering to it as a philosophy maybe i could interpret that as he knows a few Catholics that share some of Buddha's ideas (but then there's still the thing about reincarnation and that Buddist don't believe in souls). The only other thing i could think of is maybe rite in India (does one exist? i have no clue) but i don't think it would be recognized by the pope if it incorporates Buddhism into theology, or he's talking about the New Age movement in the church (which i also understand is heretical). Does anyone know anything about this?

[musturde]

I saw a book in a Catholic Bookstore against Catholic Buddhism. It seems people are mixing Buddhism and Christianity. Bad idea, they contradict eachother.

[hopeful1]

could this be a part of the new age movement?

[Theologian in Training]

[quote name='hopeful1' date='Sep 24 2004, 12:55 AM'] Ok, I'm taking "world history to 1500" in college, and we were studying India and Buddhism, and my professor in an attempt to compare religions mentions that there are "buddhist Catholics" which basically made me look like this>
Unless if he refering to it as a philosophy maybe i could interpret that as he knows a few Catholics that share some of Buddha's ideas (but then there's still the thing about reincarnation and that Buddist don't believe in souls). The only other thing i could think of is maybe rite in India (does one exist? i have no clue) but i don't think it would be recognized by the pope if it incorporates Buddhism into theology, or he's talking about the New Age movement in the church (which i also understand is heretical). Does anyone know anything about this? [/quote]
I dealt with this as an undergrad. Had a teacher that was determined to have me see her view. Anyway, the best thing to do in order to save your sanity and your reason, is to get your hands on two very helpful books. The first is "Crossing the Threshold of Hope," by Our Holy Father. He speaks extensively on the difficulties that exist in trying to combine two very different religions. Then, if it is still in print and if you can find it, I recommend "Tying Rocks to Clouds," by William Elliott. It is a contemporary book about an author that went around interviewing the major religious "gurus" at the time, from Mother Teresa to Robert Schuller, etc. However, there is a great interview with him and the Dali Lama, where in so many words the Dali Lama states, from a Buddhist perspective, the same thing the Pope states, namely, though the two religions share some common beliefs, they are ultimately opposed to each other and you must choose one or the other, there cannot be both.

Hope that helps

God Bless

[Theologian in Training]

[quote name='hopeful1' date='Sep 24 2004, 01:15 AM'] could this be a part of the new age movement? [/quote]
Yes, it is pervasive in the New Age, and a concept quite familiar to those that subscribe to New Age interpretations of Catholic dogma and belief.

God Bless

[hopeful1]

I think he said that he knew some people who were 'buddhist catholics", i wonder if they're New Age-er's?

But thanks for the book recommendations, Theo. They sound like an interesting read.

[Theologian in Training]

[quote name='hopeful1' date='Sep 24 2004, 01:30 AM'] I think he said that he knew some people who were 'buddhist catholics", i wonder if they're New Age-er's?

But thanks for the book recommendations, Theo. They sound like an interesting read. [/quote]
It is possible that they subscribe to the New Age, however, most do not recognize it as New Age, rather, they just believe themselves to be Catholic, while "filling in" what Catholicism lacks with other aspects from other religions. In essence, you are dealing then with syncretism and possibly a little more.

I am glad I could help.

God Bless

[MorphRC]

<--- Bushido-Catholic.

[Scofizzle]

whenever my profs say something i disagree with.....i speak my mind...and they
1. appreciate you speaking up in class
2. Respect you for defending your viewpoint
3. remember taht whne grade time comes around.

p.s.- there is an Indian rite. I forget what its called exactly but it has a cool name. They used to use our Church for their Mass, but they now have their own church, but their piest still lives in the rectory at our parish. Cool Guy. AndI know that they do not incorporate anything from Buhdism.

[Trying2BFaithful]

It's syncretic. Kinda like the West-African [i]Rose-Croix[/i] (Rose Cross) or the Caribbean [i]Santeria[/i]. Not Catholic but pagan with Christian elements/symbols.

If you're interested in those who only engage in Buddist practices but not theology, try googling the name "Bede Griffiths"...he's a Benedictine Monk/theologian from India who practices yoga and meditation. He claims he in no way espouses any Hindu/Buddhist theological points, but that his practices are cultural and physical means by which he can center himself spiritually. He comes under fire quite frequently. I'm not really sure what I think of him.

[Ash Wednesday]

The only thing I can think of is heterodox Catholics, like what trying2B mentioned about Santeria and others that mix Catholicism with pagan religion.

Some Catholics do get into some weird pseudo-Buddhist stuff, and some are keenly interested in it, but I don't think there is any such thing as "Buddhist Catholics."

I don't know a lot about Thomas Merton's work later in his life but it was my understanding he was keenly interested in Buddhism and Zen when he was older. I don't know how orthodox or heterodox he was later in life, just to be fair. But his early writings like Seven Story Mountain were good.

[Ash Wednesday]

[quote name='Scofizzle' date='Sep 24 2004, 01:28 PM'] p.s.- there is an Indian rite. I forget what its called exactly but it has a cool name. They used to use our Church for their Mass, but they now have their own church, but their piest still lives in the rectory at our parish. Cool Guy. AndI know that they do not incorporate anything from Buhdism. [/quote]
Maybe you are thinking of the Syro-Malabar rite, or Syro-Malankara Rite.

I know a man in India studying to be a priest under the Syro-Malabar rite. And they are of the Eastern Rites of the Church, so they would more closely resemble something like the Orthodox Church or Byzantine Catholic Church before they resembled Buddhism!