Buddhism and Magical Powers

[sky]

Originally Posted by BigJohn

The point I was trying to say was: some Buddhist believe amulets is okay in Christianity while claiming it is wrong in Buddhism.


In Buddhism, I never knew a monk that was not involved with amulets.

You might ask yourself why do Temples have statues of Buddha, etc.?

As been said or implied: are virtually all Buddhists who have amulets, etc. not really Buddhist and can that be said to be true also of Christians?

Not all Buddhists use amulets....

This might help you understand the Statues in Temples if your Buddhist Wife etc : hasn't explained


Buddhist Shrines and Images

While it is difficult to imagine Buddhism without the Buddha image or Rupa, it was not until about 500 years after the passing away (Parinirvana) that the practice of making images of the Buddha started. Since that time, Buddha images have been the object of Buddhist devotion and identify for over 2000 years, acting as the inspirational focus and the means for devotees to express their reverence and gratitude for the Buddha's Dharma or Teachings.

The reasons for the Buddha image on the shrine are:

• to remind one of the qualities of Perfect Wisdom and Perfect Compassion of the Buddha,
• it serves to inspire us to develop these qualities as we recall the greatness of the Buddha and His Teachings.

Some days, we may feel agitated, angry or depressed. When we pass by a shrine in our homes or visit a temple, and see the peaceful image of the Buddha, it helps us to remember that there are beings that are peaceful and we can become like them too. Automatically, our minds settle down.

Buddhists pay respect to the Buddha to show their gratitude to Him for showing the way to Enlightenment and liberation by....... Etc :....

http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/...bservances.htm

[jonesboy]

Originally Posted by sky123

I'm not understanding what your referring to, explain please

Your quote.

“They are full of superstitions from the East; they practice divination like the Philistines and clasp hands with pagans” (Isaiah 2:6, NIV). The Bible further warns us, “In that day, the Lord will take away the beauty of their anklets, headbands, crescent ornaments, dangling earrings, bracelets, veils, headdresses, ankle chains, sashes, perfume boxes [and] amulets” (Isaiah 3:18-20, NAS).

Clasping hands with pagans is referring to interacting with people of a different belief. Like that is a bad thing. Prejudiced.

The Lord didn't take anything away, amulets, sashes, etc..

The quote seems more like someone who is saying our team/beliefs/practices are good and right and everyone else is bad... trust me.. they will pay for their beliefs so don't interact with them.

Old testament stuff and not what Jesus taught.

[sky]

Originally Posted by jonesboy

Your quote.

“They are full of superstitions from the East; they practice divination like the Philistines and clasp hands with pagans” (Isaiah 2:6, NIV). The Bible further warns us, “In that day, the Lord will take away the beauty of their anklets, headbands, crescent ornaments, dangling earrings, bracelets, veils, headdresses, ankle chains, sashes, perfume boxes [and] amulets” (Isaiah 3:18-20, NAS).

Clasping hands with pagans is referring to interacting with people of a different belief. Like that is a bad thing. Prejudiced.

The Lord didn't take anything away, amulets, sashes, etc..

The quote seems more like someone who is saying our team/beliefs/practices are good and right and everyone else is bad... trust me.. they will pay for their beliefs so don't interact with them.

Old testament stuff and not what Jesus taught.

Ah now I understand.... The OT is definitely ' Stuff '

[jonesboy]

Originally Posted by sky123

Ah now I understand.... The OT is definitely ' Stuff '

I do admit that to me the old testament should be thrown out.. so i do admit some bias.

[sky]

Originally Posted by jonesboy

I do admit that to me the old testament should be thrown out.. so i do admit some bias.

Something needs to be done with it

Some Schools here have actually banned it from being taught.

[jonesboy]

Originally Posted by sky123

Something needs to be done with it

Some Schools here have actually banned it from being taught.

Well I disagree with it being banned. Jesus taught a higher teaching and it needs to be put in that perceptive.

The problem is most don't understand the higher teaching Jesus was sharing.

[sky]

Originally Posted by jonesboy

Well I disagree with it being banned. Jesus taught a higher teaching and it needs to be put in that perceptive.

The problem is most don't understand the higher teaching Jesus was sharing.

I love The Gospel Of Thomas amongst other Gnostic Teachings, they really are amazing...

I don't know if banning is the way to go maybe leave it optional. If Pupils are interested they can read it outside of School anyway so it's their choice....

[jonesboy]

Originally Posted by sky123

I love The Gospel Of Thomas amongst other Gnostic Teachings, they really are amazing...

I don't know if banning is the way to go maybe leave it optional. If Pupils are interested they can read it outside of School anyway so it's their choice....

Me too. I love going verse by verse with others. I think I have tried it here but it just gets to messy.

[BigJohn]

Originally Posted by jonesboy

Well I disagree with it being banned. Jesus taught a higher teaching and it needs to be put in that perceptive.

The problem is most don't understand the higher teaching Jesus was sharing.

Banning the teachings of one religion can lead to the banning of teaching of other religions. If one religion is taught in a school, balance should be provided in which all religions are taught.

I was under the impression, religion is not taught in the schools.

Jesus' teaching were deeply rooted in the Old Testament. Instead of getting rid of the Old Testament it might be beneficial to try to understand it.

The part I find interesting is the Old Testament's Law had features in the Law which would restore property rights, etc. which is something modern society has not been able to do. Even modern day Bankruptcy laws are derived from the Mosaic Law.

[jonesboy]

Originally Posted by BigJohn

Banning the teachings of one religion can lead to the banning of teaching of other religions. If one religion is taught in a school, balance should be provided in which all religions are taught.

I was under the impression, religion is not taught in the schools.

Jesus' teaching were deeply rooted in the Old Testament. Instead of getting rid of the Old Testament it might be beneficial to try to understand it.

The part I find interesting is the Old Testament's Law had features in the Law which would restore property rights, etc. which is something modern society has not been able to do. Even modern day Bankruptcy laws are derived from the Mosaic Law.

What Jesus taught was something completely different than the old testament.

The old testament as is the Mosaic Law is a moral code.

The old testament is an eye for an eye. Jesus said to forgive, to not judge and to love others as yourself.

This is much different than what you will find in the old testament.

3. Jesus said, "If your leaders say to you, 'Look, the (Father's) kingdom is in the sky,' then the birds of the sky will precede you. If they say to you, 'It is in the sea,' then the fish will precede you. Rather, the (Father's) kingdom is within you and it is outside you. When you know yourselves, then you will be known, and you will understand that you are children of the living Father. But if you do not know yourselves, then you live in poverty, and you are the poverty.

Non-dual.. right in line with all non-dual traditions...