I could really use some Opinions...?

Question

Is it OK to be a Buddhist and still practice another Religion?

Because I'm a Hindu, and that will never change... But I also want to practice Buddhism...

Answer 1

I'm fairly certain, but there is a good chance I am wrong.

Answer 2

Which teaching is there in Buddhism that Hinduism doesnt have?Do Hindus not follow the path that is also laid down in Budhdhism...So they become Buddhists or Hindus or some other new sect called Hindubuddhists??Who created these sects-man did ;not God or the saints.So how much and what matters????

   my honest opinion is that you are not clear about your basic concepts of religion .You are relating religion with your sense of identification, rituals and external superficial things.By following religion you are not making yourself part of a organisation .Its not about dogma but Religion is for basic guidance and way of life..beyond that that its you who has to move to higher realms....You should follow your heart...pick those things you love from  a religion and folow them; abandon those which are false.I have no faith in Church and Christian concepts (and why should I - they are false)but that doesnt stop me from believing in Christ or reverring a Christian saint or visiting a Church or lighting a candle.All these are true.And believing in Christ doesnt make me a non Hindu.If any religion says that follow this path and others are false or follow this God and others are false and you wil be condemned to h**l or as kafir- then that religion is no good to follow.Be a free bird.Follow your heart and not technicalities.Because what good is religion if it doesnt set you free?

following truth and right things is religion ..following false things and those that are not good is irreligion..just keep that in mind and do what your heart says is right and whayever you love from whichever religion

Answer 3

If you don't want to be a Christian, do what you want.

Answer 4

Please read the following passage describing the origin of Hinduism from page #53 the Zhuan Falun Lecture, available on the web:

"Buddha Law has different manifestations at different levels, but the higher it is, the closer it is to the Truth, and the lower it is, the further it is from the Truth. So after those monks became Unlocked and Enlightened at low levels, they interpreted what Shakyamuni had said with the manifestations of the universe that they saw at their levels, with the situations that they had learned about, and with the truths that they had comprehended. In other words, the monks interpreted the Law that Shakyamuni taught just about every which way, and there were also some monks who spoke about what they comprehended as if that was Shakyamuni’s words, instead of telling people Shakyamuni’s original words. As a result, the Buddha Law was altered beyond recognition, and it was no longer the Law Shakyamuni had preached. Eventually this caused the Buddha Law that’s in Buddhism to disappear in India. This is a major lesson from history, and that’s why later on you don’t see Buddhism in India, of all places. Before it vanished, Buddhism went through a number of reforms, and in the end it incorporated things from Brahmanism and formed a religion that’s found in India today, called Hinduism. It no longer worships any Buddhas, it worships some other things instead, and it no longer believes in Shakyamuni. That’s how it is now."

Hinduism is probably confined in India; while Buddhism is well spread throughout Asia.

The section, "In Cultivation You Need to Commit to One Discipline", answers the question about practicing two religions.

Not relating to Buddhism, Falun Gong is a unique Buddhist School. Falun Gong is based upon the universal principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance. Falun Gong consists of five sets of powerful exercises. Falun Gong has attracted about 100 million followers around the globe since 1992.

Falun Gong, Tibetans, other Buddhists, and Christians have been persecuted in China. The most offensive human right violation is the organ harvesting from the Falun Gong practitioners in China.

Can you kindly sign a petition to stop persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China, please ?

http://cipfg.org/en/news/petition.html

Thanks.

Answer 5

Yes, Bobby, you can. Buddhism is practiced as a religion in some aspects, but it's also viewed as a non-religious philosophy. You can incorporate the beliefs of some religions(but not all, because some beliefs are just too diametrically opposed to the core of Buddhist teaching) into Buddhist philosophy, without contradiction. This is most clearly seen in Japan, where Buddhism has blended with elements of Taoism and Shinto to produce a belief system that's slightly different from its original form. Most Hindus in the modern world also have come to consider Buddha an incarnation of Vishnu. However, there is also somewhat of an uncomfortable relationship between the two religions, as Buddhism DID arise from Gautama's desire to free people from the oppressive caste system of Hinduism.

I've given you several sources below that both compare, contrast, and show the relationship between these two religions. Ultimately, though, you'll have to make the decision for yourself. I don't see there being too much of a conflict if you want to consider yourself a Hindu with a Buddhist core philosophy.

Answer 6

do whatever you want, whatever feels right for you, whatever brings you peace and happiness

Answer 7

It seems like it would be rather contradictory to me.

BUDDHISM

Chapter 25

Buddhism began in India about five hundred years before the birth of Christ. The people living at that time had become disillusioned with certain beliefs of Hinduism including the caste system, which had grown extremely complex. The number of outcasts (those who did not belong to any particular caste) was continuing to grow.

Moreover, the Hindu belief of an endless cycle of births, deaths and rebirths was viewed with dread. Consequently, the people turned to a variety of beliefs, including the worship of animals, to satisfy this spiritual vacuum. Many different sects of Hinduism arose, the most successful being that of Buddhism, which denies the authority of the vedas.

The Buddha



Buddhism, unlike Hinduism, can point to a specific founder. However, in Buddhism, like so many other religions, fanciful stories arose concerning events in the life of the founder, Siddhartha Gautama (fifth century B.C.).

The Buddha, or "enlightened one," was born about 560 B.C. in northeastern India. His family name was Gautama, his given name was Siddhartha. Siddhartha was the son of a rajah, or ruler. His mother died when he was just a week old and Siddhartha was cared for by his mother's sister, who was also the rajah's second wife. There was supposedly a prophecy given at the time of his birth by a sage at his father's court.

The prophecy said that the child would be a great king if he stayed at home, but if he decided to leave home, he would become a savior for mankind. This bothered his father, for he wanted his son to succeed him as king. Therefore, to keep him at home, his father surrounded him with wealth and pleasures and kept all painful and ugly things out of his sight.

Siddhartha eventually married and had a son but was still confined to the palace and its pleasures. One day he informed his father that he wished to see the world. This excursion would forever change his life, for it was during this journey that he saw "the four passing sights."

Although his father ordered the streets to be cleansed and decorated and all elderly or infirmed people to stay inside, there were those who did not get the message. The first troubling sight Siddhartha saw was that of a decrepit old man. When Siddhartha asked what happened to this man, he was told that the man was old, as everyone someday would become...(click the link to read the rest)

Answer 8

Once a comprehensive understanding of the Philosphy that is Bhuddism is gained you should have a respect for all faiths but little need to for a religion as a spiritual path. Should you wish to join a local church for the community or social aspect it is your perogative to do so church congregations have strong bonds of kinship and in these times of deskbound, computer or media dependant addiction, the society of good godly souls is akin to a vacation and a breath of fresh air.

Answer 9

At our local Zen center, we have students who also believe in Christianity, Atheism, Islam, and Judaism, and also many who are just confused (no Hindus, at least not lately). From a Buddhist perspective, it's not a problem at all.

That's because Buddhism has no set of doctrines or creeds that it requires of practitioners. At the most fundamental level, Buddhism is about practice, not belief.

That said.....

Here's a fable:  Suppose you live in a dry land and you never have enough water to quench your thirst. You have a couple of choices.

One option would be to drill lots of shallow wells. If you're fortunate, you might strike water close to the surface and there might be enough to last for a while. And if you're more fortunate, the water might be pure enough to satisfy you.

The other option is to drill one well very deeply. This option nearly guarantees that you will eventually strike an inexhaustible supply of pure, refreshing artesian water. And this will surely, inevitably quench your thirst.

The point of this little story is plain, I think. If we have a profound spiritual thirst, we will best satisfy it by drilling deeply in one tradition.

There are many traditions that can quench this thirst. Hinduism can do it. Buddhism can do it. Christianity can do it.

But you'll need to do the drilling yourself. Best wishes in that effort.

Answer 10

If you want to be Hindu and want to adopt the Buddhist teachings and practices; you can and you are welcome.

But once you adopted the Buddhist practices, then you may decide to leave Hinduism altogether, because you will find too much treasure to be uncover in the Buddha Dharma, for there is nothing are not inclusive in the Buddha Dharma.

Why? You may ask. One of the reasons is that we Buddhist take no one as our master (one owns us), and Hinduism still rely on whichever Gods they worship as their masters.

Secondly, from human interactions and relationships, to the newest theories in Quantum Mechanic, you can find references in the Sutras, which clearly explained the effects of Karma, interactions and ultimate truth.

Once you dwell in the treasures of Buddhism, you realize with humans' life span, it isn't enough times to learn all, no wonder one of the name of the Buddha is Know it all (Knowing both Correct and Standard Side knowledge).

But if you are Buddhist, who took Refuge Vows, then it clearly stated in your vows, “Once you refuge under Buddha, Dharma, Sangha, you will take refuge under no one else; not Christian God, not Hindu Gods, no any gods period." You can pay respect to all other Gods, and are encouraged to pay respect to them, but not taking any Refuge under them.”

I like to explain more, but this is the job of your Buddhist teacher.