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originally posted by: glend
In Christianity Jesus taught his followers to love one another.
But how can one really love a rapist or serial killer.
We all have two selves, a spiritual self which some call the good wolf, and a ego-brain self which some people call the bad wolf (or snake in genesis). These wolves battle each other throughout our life. The wolf that wins is the wolf we feed.
The good wolf is the little voice within, that nags us, when we do something wrong.
The bad wolf is our ego-brain that is controlled by DNA to procreate. Manipulated by cultural beliefs to chase materilistic gains etc. Is selfish and conceited.
So when we look at rapists or serial killers. We need understand that they too have a good wolf inside them. That has been silenced by the bad wolf that has full control over their behaviour. So instead of seeing a person as bad, we should recognise that the person has lost their battle to an ego-brain that is out of control and sympathise with their plight.
Bodhicitta:
Bodhicitta is a path to enlightenment.
But wanting enlightenment for yourself is a selfish desire. So how does one achieve enlightenment without the negativity of the ego-brain blocking our path.
Bodhicitta is a practice in Buddhism in which we practice great compassion for all sentient beings and their struggles in life. The goal of the practice is to achieve enlightenment from a non-selfish desire to help all others attain liberation from their birth and death cycles (reincarnation).
The practice :
Pray and meditate in achieving the four immeasurable's :
1. Immeasurable Loving-Kindness,
2. Immeasurable Compassion,
3. Immeasurable Joy in the Good Fortune of Others,
4. Immeasurable Equanimity.
Put your prayers into action:
When people need help. Put yourself in their shoes. Ask yourself what I would want if I were in their position.
Love everyone as Jesus loved everyone.
originally posted by: Raggedyman
a reply to: glend
Turning someone over to the authorities is a form of love, disciplene is a form of love
There are different types of love, not all of them are concililatory
Jesus was extremely critical of the religios
The main reason was because Jesus made direct relationship between us and God personal, we need no a mediator of human origin outside of Jesus Himself
originally posted by: Raggedyman
a reply to: Isurrender73
I kinda see where you are coming from and like it a lot, Jesus is the light and taught love and that loving others was self sacrificial, a light for others to follow
Just wondering where you got the idea from?
I believe Buddah is a prophet who followed the Light/Holy Spirit/Jesus Christ. Jesus did not need to follow Buddhism because he created it through his vessel Buddha.
I don't believe Buddah taught reincarnation in the way people believe today. Also I believe the cycle of birth and death are real things that happen in one lifetime.
originally posted by: glend
a reply to: toms54
I don't remember claiming I was an expert on Christianity. Nor have I read anywhere that someone must be ordained an expert to have an opinion. FYI I was baptised under church of england but see so many similarities in religions that I don't belong to any one club.
Don't tell people they are lost. You are not God my friend. That is Gods decision.
There is one other reason I believe in the supernatural claims of Jesus Christ. Not so much because they are written in the NT, but because how well documented the torture his followers endured in the years after his death. Unless they experienced something supernatural I find it hard to believe they would continuously preach a message that would most likely lead to a gruesome death.
My belief is part logic, but mostly based in faith that Grace and Love are the true characteristics of God. Jesus was the first one to plainly spell out Grace. It's likely we wouldn't believe in Grace if not for Jesus Christ.
originally posted by: glend
The spiritual is said to be timeless so that is a possibility.
originally posted by: chr0naut
a reply to: glend
Jesus was God incarnate, so He existed well before Buddha.
Therefore wouldn't it be more apt to ask if Buddha was following Christian practice?