The True Meaning of Christianity

In the end, I think it is about how you choose to practice your faith.
By the way, I think that Jesus and Buddha were both teachers of kindness.

Originally Posted by UniversalLove

In the end, I think it is about how you choose to practice your faith.
By the way, I think that Jesus and Buddha were both teachers of kindness.

I agree with this and think you are correct. Two different approaches to the same goal. Jesus mostly taught about devotion to love and truth and that it comes from devotion to kindness and compassion. Sometimes it may look like Buddha was trying more to explain that this has to come from within, but a more careful look tells us that Jesus also taught that the the kingdom of Heaven does lie within.

Originally Posted by Mayflow

I agree with this and think you are correct. Two different approaches to the same goal. Jesus mostly taught about devotion to love and truth and that it comes from devotion to kindness and compassion. Sometimes it may look like Buddha was trying more to explain that this has to come from within, but a more careful look tells us that Jesus also taught that the the kingdom of Heaven does lie within.

I see that your Buddhist teaching has effected your perception in the teachings of Jesus (I'm not criticizing).

So what about where the kingdom of heaven is not within? That is when having the understanding that Jesus resides in heaven? Jesus had pointed out that the kingdom of heaven is not within man (all men or mankind) as those who were made an example of by Jesus. See below scriptures... what do you gather from this as to help with additional understanding of the context of Jesus' remarks?

ἐντός

Outline of Biblical Usage

a) within you i.e. in the midst of you
b) within you i.e. your soul

Strong's Number G1787 matches the Greek ἐντός (entos), which occurs 2 times in 2 verses in the Greek concordance of the KJV

Mat 23:26 [Thou] blind 5185 Pharisee 5330, cleanse 2511 first 4412 that [which is] within1787 the cup 4221 and 2532 platter 3953, that 2443 the outside 1622 of them 846 may be 1096 clean 2513 also 2532.

Luk 17:21 Neither 3761 shall they say 2046 , Lo 2400 here 5602! or 2228, lo 2400 there 1563! for 1063, behold 2400 , the kingdom 932 of God 2316 is 2076 within1787 you 5216.

Originally Posted by TeeHee

I see that your Buddhist teaching has effected your perception in the teachings of Jesus (I'm not criticizing).

So what about where the kingdom of heaven is not within? That is when having the understanding that Jesus resides in heaven? Jesus had pointed out that the kingdom of heaven is not within man (all men or mankind) as those who were made an example of by Jesus. See below scriptures... what do you gather from this as to help with additional understanding of the context of Jesus' remarks?

ἐντός

Outline of Biblical Usage

a) within you i.e. in the midst of you
b) within you i.e. your soul

Strong's Number G1787 matches the Greek ἐντός (entos), which occurs 2 times in 2 verses in the Greek concordance of the KJV

Mat 23:26 [Thou] blind 5185 Pharisee 5330, cleanse 2511 first 4412 that [which is] within1787 the cup 4221 and 2532 platter 3953, that 2443 the outside 1622 of them 846 may be 1096 clean 2513 also 2532.

Luk 17:21 Neither 3761 shall they say 2046 , Lo 2400 here 5602! or 2228, lo 2400 there 1563! for 1063, behold 2400 , the kingdom 932 of God 2316 is 2076 within1787 you 5216.

I have no idea what all those numbers are supposed to be about, but to cleanse first the inside is not different than what Buddha taught.

Originally Posted by Mayflow

I have no idea what all those numbers are supposed to be about, but to cleanse first the inside is not different than what Buddha taught.

The numbers are reference to the Hebrew or Greek. One may look up the numbers in reference to the lexicon of Strong's concordance.

The difference that I'm beginning to see, yes to back up a bit I see the similarity. What is the equivalent to, the soul, the kingdom of God, or God in Buddhism? If I remember correctly there's not even an equivalent for the word God?

UniversalLove, Universal Energy, Oneness, Wholeness, Nirvana. Unless you posit the word God for someone outside of us and superior to us, then I don't think there is a word other than delusion.

Thanks for clarifying your belief. My first thoughts are that they contradict the teaching of the two scriptures provided in an unbeliever.

Originally Posted by TeeHee

Thanks for clarifying your belief. My first thoughts are that they contradict the teaching of the two scriptures provided in an unbeliever.

I have (once again) no idea of what you mean by that.

Originally Posted by Mayflow

I have (once again) no idea of what you mean by that.

Jesus Christ resides in heaven, and heaven is where Jesus is. If Jesus is not within us, and made Lord over our lives neither are we in the heavenly society. Where Jesus Lords over our lives and our decisions, so to is heaven. What good is a heaven without God's presence?

I find it interesting that when someone uses the word God, it is always tied to the Christian version of what God represents...maybe if others had a broader view of God it would open up more understanding and acceptance among those who hold a monotheistic view of the Divine, but not necessarily as portrayed by Christianity?

Cannot believing in a creative force, be called many things, even God, not be seen as a universal image?