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QUESTION:
I have been reading about religions, starting in the East with Hinduism and Buddhism, and recently arriving at Christianity. Last year, I almost became a Buddhist, but for some reason, the absence of Christ in that move made me stop in my tracks. So I started reading the work of a few Christian mystics, parts of the Philokalia, St. Simeon the New Theoligian, etc., and I believe that Orthodoxy is the only form of Christianity I could conform to. But the thing that has always terrified me about any form of Christianity is the closemindedness. The thing I dislike about some religious adherants is the attitude of exclusivity and even superiority that some have. How do Orthodox Christians view Buddhism, for example? In the past, I have heard Christians state that all other religions were being mislead by the devil. I adamantly disagree. In fact, if I do join the Orthodox church (which I am strongly considering), I will still be applying some Buddhist principles to my life (mindfulness, meditation)
I understand that one must, with his entirety, place himself into a religious path in order to give the most and get the most from that practice. But do Orthodox people believe, like the Buddha did, that there are several paths to divinity, and that Christ is not the only one?
ANSWER:
Thank you for writing. I read your e-mail with great interest, and I'll respond point-by-point, just to keep things clear.
YOU WRITE:
I believe that Orthodox is the only form of Christianity I could conform to.
RESPONSE:
There's a slight glitch here. One does not approach Christianity because it fits one's personal beliefs. One appoaches Christianity with the assumption that it possesses the fullness of truth and God's revelation to all mankind, and conforms one's mind, spirit and life to the beliefs Jesus Christ shares. In fact, if one wants to get even more technical, it is we who are called to conform -- to the life and teaching and very presence of Jesus Christ -- rather than the opposite. In St. Paul we are told to "put on Christ," to accept not only His words but to accept Him as the Living Word of God [read John 1:1-18]. When we "put on Christ" we not only "conform" to Him, but we put aside our "personal truths" and seek out the "greater truth," the "pearl of great price" which so often remains hidden from us and from the world.
YOU WRITE:
But the thing that has always terrified me about any form of Christianity is the closemindedness.
RESPONSE:
Closemindedness is one thing; recognizing truth is the other. Denying truth for the sake of appearing "openminded" or "non-offensive" is deceptive.
YOU WRITE:
The thing I dislike about some religious adherants is the attitude of exclusivity and even superiority that some have.
RESPONSE:
Christ Himself condemned the "religious adherants" of His time who projected exclusivity and superiority -- His remarks to the pharisees not only brought on charges of closedmindedness and even blasphemy, but they angered the "establishment" to the point of "seeking the means by which to put Him to death." Orthodox Christianity is not about superiority or exclusivity; it is about truth, and truth is not subjective or "adaptable" based on varying situations or venue. Unfortunately, we live in a time in which any proclaimation of truth is viewed as exclusivism, which is not necessarily the case.
YOU WRITE:
How do Orthodox Christians view Buddhism, for example?
RESPONSE:
All Christian traditions, Orthodox and other, acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the fullest revelation of God to mankind. Jesus Christ came into the world to reconcile man with his Creator, to proclaim that that which Christ accomplishes is, as we proclaim in the Divine Liturgy, "on behalf of all and for all mankind," that it is Christ alone Who makes it possible for mankind to share the new life so graciously imparted Christ through His death and resurrection to all mankind, to "the ends of the earth." As St. Paul writes, if Christ has not been raised from the dead, our faith and our teaching are in vain. In light of this, it is easy to draw conclusions as to how Orthodox Christianity views Buddhism.
YOU WRITE:
I have heard Christians state that all other religions were being mislead by the devil.
RESPONSE:
Orthodox Christianity would not equate Buddhism with the devil, but Orthodox Christianity would have to admit that the salvation which comes through Jesus Christ is not to be found in Buddhism. In fact, Buddhism would acknowledge this very reality as well.
YOU WRITE:
I adamantly disagree. In fact, if I do join the Orthodox church (which I am strongly considering), I will still be applying some Buddhist principles to my life (mindfulness, meditation).
RESPONSE:
Buddhists are called to be mindful. Buddhists are called to meditate. Buddhists fast, pray, and give alms. Orthodox Christianity has a rich tradition of being mindful. Orthodox Christianity has a rich tradition of meditation, of fasting, of praying, of giving alms. Now, the question stands: If one is convinced that Orthodox Christianity possess the fullness of truth and is God's chosen ark of salvation and embraces Our Lord Jesus Christ through Orthodox Christianity, would not one wish to practice the Orthodox Christian principles of mindfulness, meditation, etc., rather than seeing these as exclusively Buddhist principles and practicing them according to Buddhist, rather than Orthodox Christian, tradition? Orthodox Christianity, based on Scripture, teaches that doing good or helping others or whatever is an expression of our ability to recognize the presence of Jesus Christ in those around us, especially in the "least of the brethren." While it is certainly true that one does not need to be a Christian to do good or to help others, there is a difference in doing such things out of respect for another person as opposed to doing such things for the sake of Jesus Christ. While Buddhists are indeed to be respected for their devotion to meditation, it is reasonable to say that that upon which they meditate is not Jesus Christ, the Living Word of God Who came into the world to save sinners and Who, by His resurrection, makes it possible to share in the new life He offers to any and all who would conform their lives to Him. I would strongly suggest that, before considering conversion to Orthodox Christianity, you become thoroughly familiar with the Orthodox tradition of mindfulness, meditation, prayer, fasting, etc. and to seriously consider conforming to these traditions rather than to displace them by traditions which, in and of themselves, may not be wrong but, if we accept Christ and His mission and teachings and life, are far from complete.
YOU WRITE:
I understand that one must, with his entirety, place himself into a religious path in order to give the most and get the most from that practice. But do Orthodox people believe, like the Buddha did, that there are several paths to divinity, and that Christ is not the only one?
RESPONSE:
Orthodox Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the only-begotten Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, Who together with the Father and the Holy Spirit brought about all that exists. Jesus Christ took on the human nature, without ceasing to be God, in order to reunite man with Himself and His Father and Holy Spirit, in response to the separation that sin placed between the human and the divine. Jesus Christ is the only Savior, the fulfillment of God's promise to mankind to bring about "a new heaven and earth." As such, He is the only Savior and, as such, Orthodox Christianity -- as well as virtually every other Christian tradition -- acknowledges that there is no other "way" than through Jesus Christ, Who refers to Himself as "the way, the truth, and the life," not as "A way, A truth, and A life." Now, this does not mean that absolutely everything Buddhist is evil or demonic. Surely the concern Buddhists display for others, especially those in need, is a good thing. However, if such concern is not a reflection of one's conviction that every man and woman, even the "least of the brethren," bears the image of Jesus Christ, this does not negate such ministry, but does render it incomplete or lacking in something that Christ Himself clearly teaches is absolutely essential. Finally, if Orthodoxy is focused on the fullness of truth revealed in the very person of Jesus Christ, there can be no question as to whether or not there are "other paths" to salvation. St. Paul clearly teaches us that salvation comes through Jesus Christ, period. He alone is "the Way," by His own admission. Orthodox Christianity does not subscribe to any notions that "all religions are merely different paths to the same goal." In fact, I dare say that the goal of Christianity is radically different than the goal of Buddhism, Hinduism, etc. Hope this helps.
Published in January 2011.
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