Buddhist statues

[Heart2Heart]

Some Christians in some countries like the U.S. believe Buddhist statues should be destroyed. They are outraged over the statues in Kansas City Zoo. Some of these artifacts leave their mark for thousands of years such as China, Korea, Japan, etc. Any cultural artifact makes each culture unique. When these statues are destroyed, slowly the markings of its culture ebbs away. How many of you believe all countries should tear down their shrines and statues?

[Trinity]

Some Christians in some countries like the U.S. believe Buddhist statues should be destroyed. They are outraged over the statues in Kansas City Zoo. Some of these artifacts leave their mark for thousands of years such as China, Korea, Japan, etc. Any cultural artifact makes each culture unique. When these statues are destroyed, slowly the markings of its culture ebbs away. How many of you believe all countries should tear down their shrines and statues?

Buddhas of Bamyan were intentionally dynamited and destroyed in 2001 by the Taliban, on orders from leader Mullah Mohammed Omar, after the Taliban government declared that they were "idols" (which are forbidden under Sharia law). International opinion strongly condemned the destruction of the Buddhas, which was viewed as an example of the intolerance of the Taliban and of fundamentalist Islam. Japan and Switzerland, among others, have pledged support for the rebuilding of the statues.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhas...he_destruction

I am not sure that we would appreciate that Muslims would want to destroy the Statue of Liberty at New York. We should respect the symbols, the heritage, the history, of the other nations.

Trinity

[Heart2Heart]

Buddhas of Bamyan were intentionally dynamited and destroyed in 2001 by the Taliban, on orders from leader Mullah Mohammed Omar, after the Taliban government declared that they were "idols" (which are forbidden under Sharia law). International opinion strongly condemned the destruction of the Buddhas, which was viewed as an example of the intolerance of the Taliban and of fundamentalist Islam. Japan and Switzerland, among others, have pledged support for the rebuilding of the statues.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhas...he_destruction

I am not sure that we would appreciate that Muslims would want to destroy the Statue of Liberty at New York. We should respect the symbols, the heritage, the history, of the other nations.

Trinity

I remember reading in the Old Testament, Josiah had all of the statues and shrines destroyed, because they were displeasing to God. Do you believe countries should do the same, destroy the statues and shrines?

[Trinity]

I remember reading in the Old Testament, Josiah had all of the statues and shrines destroyed, because they were displeasing to God. Do you believe countries should do the same, destroy the statues and shrines?

That was in a different era. No one is killed today because he has missed the Shabbat. Into the archaic Israel they mixed the gods with the politics. That was the battle of the gods. This is not the case in our modern society.

Luke 6:31
Do to others as you would have them do to you.

If I do not want to see my Christian symbols and heritage destroyed, I should not do this to other cultures.

On tolerence [video]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6nMq...e=channel_page

Trinity

[Heart2Heart]

That was in a different era. No one is killed today because he has missed the Shabbat. Into the archaic Israel they mixed the gods with the politics. That was the battle of the gods. This is not the case in our modern society.

Luke 6:31
Do to others as you would have them do to you.

If I do not want to see my Christian symbols and heritage destroyed, I should not do this to other cultures.

On tolerence [video]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6nMq...e=channel_page

Trinity

Thank you, Trinity. Heart-warming video.

I agree people should accept each others race no matter what he or she looks like. Living in a society where you are the minority feels awkward; some of us have experienced this. However....

When it comes to following the right doctrine and who or what to follow, I think this is where the line is drawn. Jesus speaks very clearly that we are not to follow any other gods or doctrines. In other words, Christians should not tolerate other teachings.

[Trinity]

In other words, Christians should not tolerate other teachings.

If our intolerance for other teachings is not consisting in violence, hatred and vandalizing, this could be acceptable. Much more, if our intolerance demands that we express a great kindness for people from other teachings, I bless this intolerance.

Trinity

[Heart2Heart]

If our intolerance for other teachings is not consisting in violence, hatred and vandalizing, this could be acceptable. Much more, if our intolerance demands that we express a great kindness for people from other teachings, I bless this intolerance.

Trinity

Most definitely agree with you about the intolerance of violence and hatred. I do not believe people should vandalize a place or kill a person, because we may not agree with their teaching. Let God do the act. But, I think we should not accept their teachings in our hearts.

[Trinity]

I do not believe people should vandalize a place or kill a person, because we may not agree with their teaching.

That means they can keep their their shrines and statues.

Trinity

[sunofmysoul]

That means they can keep their their shrines and statues.

Trinity

agreed and well stated Trinity.
one thing that gets me here...is that for Christians to have a cross or christian symbol/or church sanctuary degraded or destroyed would be upsetting to them.
And because of the belief that Christianity is the elite, and only way and all others are false, it leaves a empty spot where sympathy and respect of others cultures and beliefs should lie (imho)

[Heart2Heart]

agreed and well stated Trinity.
one thing that gets me here...is that for Christians to have a cross or christian symbol/or church sanctuary degraded or destroyed would be upsetting to them.
And because of the belief that Christianity is the elite, and only way and all others are false, it leaves a empty spot where sympathy and respect of others cultures and beliefs should lie (imho)

The Bible says Christians should not have any graven images (Exodus 20:4). Ironically, most Christian churches have a cross or a dove in their sanctuary.

[Heart2Heart]

one thing that gets me here...is that for Christians to have a cross or christian symbol/or church sanctuary degraded or destroyed would be upsetting to them.

Comparing Buddhism and Christianity is to comparing the bhodi tree and the cross. Buddha "finds" enlightenment under the bhodi tree and Jesus "carries" the weight of man's sin on the cross. Each has accomplished their goal. Ironically, Buddha focuses on the self unlike Jesus focus is on mankind.

[Trinity]

The Bible says Christians should not have any graven images (Exodus 20:4). Ironically, most Christian churches have a cross or a dove in their sanctuary.

Hebrews or the Jews had statues in the tabernacle and in the temple. The problem is never with the statues but with the statues who are worshipped.

Trinity

[sunofmysoul]

Comparing Buddhism and Christianity is to comparing the bhodi tree and the cross. Buddha "finds" enlightenment under the bhodi tree and Jesus "carries" the weight of man's sin on the cross. Each has accomplished their goal. Ironically, Buddha focuses on the self unlike Jesus focus is on mankind.

ah...i am just learning of Buddhism myself...(new to me...)
where exactly does Buddha focus on the self...and not mankind?
I must admit i have been moved deeply by the writings of Thich Nhat Hanh.
and also more recently by the Bodhisattva vows...http://www.katinkahesselink.net/tibet/bodhisatva.htm

and found this interpretation of Buddhism interesting...
"This is how we love, Buddha-style:
impartial to all, free from excessive attachment or false hope and expectation;
accepting, tolerant, and forgiving.
Buddhist nonattachment doesn't imply complacence or indifference, or not having committed relationships or being passionately engaged with society, but rather has to do with our effort to defy change and resist the fact of impermanence and our mortality. By holding on to that which in any case is forever slipping through our fingers, we just get rope burn."
http://www.katinkahesselink.net/tibet/love-quotes.html

with love,
somsy

[Heart2Heart]

ah...i am just learning of Buddhism myself...(new to me...)
where exactly does Buddha focus on the self...and not mankind?
I must admit i have been moved deeply by the writings of Thich Nhat Hanh.
and also more recently by the Bodhisattva vows...http://www.katinkahesselink.net/tibet/bodhisatva.htm

and found this interpretation of Buddhism interesting...
"This is how we love, Buddha-style:
impartial to all, free from excessive attachment or false hope and expectation;
accepting, tolerant, and forgiving.
Buddhist nonattachment doesn't imply complacence or indifference, or not having committed relationships or being passionately engaged with society, but rather has to do with our effort to defy change and resist the fact of impermanence and our mortality. By holding on to that which in any case is forever slipping through our fingers, we just get rope burn."
http://www.katinkahesselink.net/tibet/love-quotes.html

with love,
somsy

The bhodi tree is where Buddha gained enlightenment. He sits under a tree, vows never to move until he gets enlightened. When you achieve enlightenment, you have perfect tranquility, perfect equanimity, and perfect omniscience. But, if a person’s body and mind are destroyed from either extreme (extreme asceticism to living in the world, i.e. luxury), one is unable to meditate; therefore, unable to reach enlightenment. In the two forms of meditation (samadhi and vipassana), samadhi is gradually moving up in the levels of thought which comes out of the yogic tradition. Reaching enlightenment (Nirvana) requires a direct instant lightning by way of vipassana. Meditation of vipassana means a person suddenly has an insight of the way things are. Anyway, meditation focuses on the self to reach enlightenment.

The cross tells people how Jesus endured suffering and pain to save mankind of their sins. Christians do not have to go through pain and suffering to receive salvation. It is a gift (Jesus gives the gift to us). Meditation is focused on God rather on self.

Blessings....

[ActRaiser]

That was in a different era. No one is killed today because he has missed the Shabbat. Into the archaic Israel they mixed the gods with the politics. That was the battle of the gods. This is not the case in our modern society.

Luke 6:31
Do to others as you would have them do to you.

If I do not want to see my Christian symbols and heritage destroyed, I should not do this to other cultures.

On tolerence [video]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6nMq...e=channel_page

Trinity

Although I agree with you that we should not destroy the Buddhas, I think that its a good idea to remember that the rule about idols is probably still around. However, Buddhas are not just idols. If you don't bow to the Buddha, then as a Christian, a Buddha to me is only a cultural symbol.

If, however, America were ruled by Jesus, I would ask him personally if destroying Buddhist statues were alright to do.

[Jill]

I've always wondered if Gautama Buddha ever returned to the wife and son he abandoned . . . once he reached "enlightenment".

"Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." Colossians. 2:8

[Trinity]

I've always wondered if Gautama Buddha ever returned to the wife and son he abandoned . . . once he reached "enlightenment".

They were not really abandoned to themselves. The Buddha was a prince and he was born in a wealthy family. His wife and his son never known the poverty and starvation. They lived in the palace of his father.

However, Abraham had abandoned his concubine, Agar, and his own son Ismael. They were both dying in the desert until...

Trinity

[Trinity]

I've always wondered if Gautama Buddha ever returned to the wife and son he abandoned . . . once he reached "enlightenment".

After eight years he went back to the palace and his family. His stepmother became his first nun. He has shared his teaching for fourty years before he left his relatives again. And before he had left his close relatives, once more, he has ordained his son as a monk. He died at the age of eighty years .

Even Jesus had said that the quest for the truth is more important journey than a journey, with the companionship, of those that we are bound with.

Trinity

[Heart2Heart]

That means they can keep their their shrines and statues.

Trinity

No, that does not mean we should keep shrines and statues. Perhaps, this is one of the reasons why countries like the U.S. is crumbling. Blessings.....

[Trinity]

No, that does not mean we should keep shrines and statues. Perhaps, this is one of the reasons why countries like the U.S. is crumbling. Blessings.....

"Hate the sin, love the sinner."

Who is the one that has thought this above?

Trinity

[Heart2Heart]

Hate the sin, love the sinner.

Who is the one that has thought this above?

Trinity

Your statement is incorrect. In Psalm 5:5 (You hate all who do iniquity.), God states clearly that He hates the sinner who sins. Blessings....

[Trinity]

Your statement is incorrect. In Psalm 5:5 (You hate all who do iniquity.), God states clearly that He hates the sinner who sins. Blessings....

"Hate the sin, love the sinner."---Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

1) It is not my statement. That was a statement from Gandhi.
2) For several decades I have heard so many christians from all denominations mentioning this saying everywhere. Inside sermons, chats, inside forums, etc.

Are you still living under the law of an eye for an eye? If you hate the sinner you will have to start by yourself. Yes? If you hate the sinner how can you love your neighbor? Or to love your being like Jesus had taught it?

How can you love God if you cannot love the man created at the image of God as mentioned by John? If you hate the sinner, should I understand that you love nobody?

Trinity

[sunofmysoul]

"Hate the sin, love the sinner."---Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

1) It is not my statement. That was a statement from Gandhi.
2) For several decades I have heard so many christians from all denominations mentioning this saying everywhere. Inside sermons, chats, inside forums, etc.

Are you still living under the law of an eye for an eye? If you hate the sinner you will have to start by yourself. Yes? If you hate the sinner how can you love your neighbor? Or to love your being like Jesus had taught it?

How can you love God if you cannot love the man created at the image of God as mentioned by John? If you hate the sinner, should I understand that you love nobody?

Trinity

strangely enough i am seeing a rise of the belief that God does not love everyone...(google "God hates the world" for a trip and a half...-yes they are serious..) and that we are to not love the sinner...until they repent...

I wonder what they do with Jesus verse on loving your enemy?

[jennieblue22]

Your statement is incorrect. In Psalm 5:5 (You hate all who do iniquity.), God states clearly that He hates the sinner who sins. Blessings....

That's somewhat in contradiction with Matthew 5:44. ("But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.") If we are to love even our enemies and those who persecute us, why are we not to love the sinners amongst us and pray that they will no longer sin?

"Hate the sin, love the sinner."---Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

1) It is not my statement. That was a statement from Gandhi.
2) For several decades I have heard so many christians from all denominations mentioning this saying everywhere. Inside sermons, chats, inside forums, etc.

Are you still living under the law of an eye for an eye? If you hate the sinner you will have to start by yourself. Yes? If you hate the sinner how can you love your neighbor? Or to love your being like Jesus had taught it?

How can you love God if you cannot love the man created at the image of God as mentioned by John? If you hate the sinner, should I understand that you love nobody?

Trinity

Agreed. Very good points.

[pilgrim1411]

How many of you believe all countries should tear down their shrines and statues?

I do. Enough of their idolatry.