Is it OK to be a Christian and a Buddhist at the same time?

Answer 1

Christianity is a Religion. Buddhism is a Philosophy on ending sufferings and not a religion. Although some zealots make it a religion and idolized Gotama Siddharta ( The Buddha). Gotama himself taught that he is not God.

To answer your question; It is definitely OK to be a Christian and a Buddhist. In fact there are Jewish-Buddhists, Muslim-Buddhist, etc (search the web)

If you looking for more answers to your question, may I recommend the book "Living Buddha, Living Christ " by Thich Nhat Hanh

Answer

by:Timothy

I too am a christian Buddhist its pretty easy if you think of it I follow bolth rules you know.

AnswerMost definitely not since some of the most central presuppositions of both are diametrically opposed. Christianity teaches that mankind is a lost sinner in need of redemption and most certainly cannot raise himself to a higher plane of existence by following any 'rule' of self-effort, 'All our righteousness is as filthy rags.' 'There is none that does good, no, not one.' Jesus also clearly taught in John 14:6:

6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

So Jesus makes exclusive claims. It is also stated in

Hebrews 9:27 (King James Version)

27And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

Thus, according to the Christian faith there is not an endless cycle of death and rebirth. Further to this, a persons position before God, (who is also a personal being in Christianity) depends ultimately on faith in Jesus Christ not at all on his or her own personal efforts in these multiple cycles of death and rebirth. A persons standing before God is also something they can therefore have assurance over and 'know that they have eternal life,' not leave this life not really knowing if they have 'done enough' to reach a higher plane.

The Christian faith is centred on the person and work of Jesus Christ who was and is God, the eternal creator and who Himself met the requirements necessary for 'salvation' to be attained on behalf of all who trust in Him. Jesus rose from death according to the Christian faith, whereas Buddha is dead, and although a great teacher and example of religious devotion has no power to 'save' but only to inspire. So, while Buddha pointed to a path or a way to follow to reach 'perfection' Jesus himself is the way in the Christian faith.

So, to summarize, the human condition is radically different, the way of salvation is radically different, the central teacher is radically different, the nature of God is radically different. So, for a person to be both would mean that they have either not understood or, have ignored most of the main teachings of one of these faiths and so would either be a Buddhist or a Christian in name only.