Pope Benedict XVI Says He Will Resign

A place to discuss casual topics amongst spiritual friends.
User avatar
tiltbillings
Posts: 23046
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2008 9:25 am

Re: Pope Benedict XVI Says He Will Resign

Post by tiltbillings »

Kusala wrote:Catholic encyclopedia on Buddhism... http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03028b.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

"The fundamental tenets of Buddhism are marked by grave defects that not only betray its inadequacy to become a religion of enlightened humanity, but also bring into bold relief its inferiority to the religion of Jesus Christ. In the first place, the very foundation on which Buddhism rests—the doctrine of karma with its implied transmigrations—is gratuitous and false..."

"Another fatal defect of Buddhism is its false pessimism. A strong and healthy mind revolts against the morbid view that life is not worth living, that every form of conscious existence is an evil. Buddhism stands condemned by the voice of nature the dominant tone of which is hope and joy. It is a protest against nature for possessing the perfection of rational life. The highest ambition of Buddhism is to destroy that perfection by bringing all living beings to the unconscious repose of Nirvana. Buddhism is thus guilty of a capital crime against nature, and in consequence does injustice to the individual..."

"Buddhism has accomplished but little for the uplifting of humanity in comparison with Christianity. One of its most attractive features, which, unfortunately, has become wellnigh obsolete, was its practice of benevolence towards the sick and needy. Between Buddhists and Brahmins there was a commendable rivalry in maintaining dispensaries of food and medicine. But this charity did not, like the Christian form, extend to the prolonged nursing of unfortunates stricken with contagious and incurable diseases, to the protection of foundlings, to the bringing up of orphans, to the rescue of fallen women, to the care of the aged and insane. Asylums and hospitals in this sense are unknown to Buddhism..."
I wonder what Western Dharma center is being referred to here?
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12

This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.

“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
Coyote
Posts: 845
Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2011 12:42 pm
Location: Wales - UK

Re: Pope Benedict XVI Says He Will Resign

Post by Coyote »

tiltbillings wrote:I wonder what Western Dharma center is being referred to here?
Catholic Encyclopaedia was written nearly 100 years ago and not by Pope Benedict.

Nevertheless, this kind of misunderstanding or perspective is common in Catholicism. For example:
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/ponti ... ge_en.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There are a few garbled perspectives on Buddhism there, but it's more talking about Catholics taking up non-catholic spirituality, something seen as a big problem in modern catholic circles by Catholics, and something I understand PB and his predecessor wanted to address. It's seen as something spiritually dangerous for those who are baptised to engage in.

I'd say this kind of thinking is common and perhaps even expected from a religion that sees God's creation as ultimately good, and to be restored to it's original perfection after the last judgement. Denial of that seen is pessimistic and hopeless, and even dangerous.
"If beings knew, as I know, the results of giving & sharing, they would not eat without having given, nor would the stain of miserliness overcome their minds. Even if it were their last bite, their last mouthful, they would not eat without having shared."
Iti 26
User avatar
tiltbillings
Posts: 23046
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2008 9:25 am

Re: Pope Benedict XVI Says He Will Resign

Post by tiltbillings »

Coyote wrote:
tiltbillings wrote:I wonder what Western Dharma center is being referred to here?
Catholic Encyclopaedia was written nearly 100 years ago and not by Pope Benedict.
I know. I was being waggish, if not snarkish.
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12

This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.

“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
User avatar
Kim OHara
Posts: 5584
Joined: Wed Dec 09, 2009 5:47 am
Location: North Queensland, Australia

Re: Pope Benedict XVI Says He Will Resign

Post by Kim OHara »

tiltbillings wrote:
Coyote wrote:
tiltbillings wrote:I wonder what Western Dharma center is being referred to here?
Catholic Encyclopaedia was written nearly 100 years ago and not by Pope Benedict.
I know. I was being waggish, if not snarkish.
Quite possibly both.

:popcorn:
Kim
User avatar
tiltbillings
Posts: 23046
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2008 9:25 am

Re: Pope Benedict XVI Says He Will Resign

Post by tiltbillings »

Kim O'Hara wrote:
tiltbillings wrote:know. I was being waggish, if not snarkish.
Quite possibly both.

:popcorn:
Kim
Not to mention ironic and sarcastic.
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12

This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.

“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
User avatar
appicchato
Posts: 1602
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2008 12:47 am
Location: Bridge on the River Kwae

Re: Pope Benedict XVI Says He Will Resign

Post by appicchato »

Kim O'Hara wrote: Quite possibly both.

:popcorn:
Kim
lol...
Post Reply