[Walk_Free]

I am curious, I know someone that is Catholic and once was a nun....She teaches Buddhism, isn't that going against her Catholic religion?>....Thanks Bree

[SeptemberMorn]

Too many unknowns here. Maybe she converted to Buddhism, maybe she doesn't see any contradictions... who knows! Maybe the person you need to ask is HER.

[Rapunzel]

I understand that Buddhism doesn't require or expect conversion. There is a lot that we could all learn from it, regardless of our own religions.

[(JD)]

Buddhism has NO "god" to speak of, they believe in no outside god. That is quite a stretch and sounds like she became disillusioned in her faith, imo.

[SeptemberMorn]

It just seems to me that we're being asked to make a value judgment here without knowing all the details.

[jefftele]

there are quite a few priests especially jesuits who went to japan and studied zen, thomas merton david steindl-rast spring to mind i can see zen meditation has a use as meditation is not at the front in catholicism, lots of books have been written on the subject ,zen catholicism,zen spirit christian spirit, i used to be very interested in the area,i am thinking of starting zen again, it is a minefield, lots of food for thought good luck

[(JD)]

I guess you need to give us more information on this walk free. Is she just teaching it? Like, for pay? I know many different fields of study and can teach a vast majority of topics. That doesn't mean I believe all of them. I can teach what others believe about God, according to their chosen line of faith, without my having to change my beliefs. (Not sure why I would want to do that...but still, I could.)

As for the current belief with Catholicism, and whether she is under any church rule to not teach another faith, that's something I don't know. But for the two faiths to merge? not possible.

[seeker1950]

Jefftele...
Thomas Merton really interests me! I have researched and inquired about attending retreats at Gethsemane, the monastery in KY. I really want to go there, and he seems to be one of the major figures at that site.
I had no idea Thomas Merton had studied or investigated Eastern religions. All I know is I'm drawn to the place, would love the quiet opportunity for meditation, prayer, and contemplation.
Patty

[MissCharlotte]

I am Catholic and reading some Buddhist teachings by Pema Chodron. I feel able to hold my beliefs in tact without jeopardizing them. I don't feel conflicted about the readngs. They are just different but don't contradict IMO.

Cheers.

[okiedokie]

Hi,
No such rule, Sky. I'm Catholic and attended 12 years of Catholic education. In fact, I have two nuns in my family! Part of the curriculum was a requirement to study other faiths. Now, that doesn't make me an expert on ANY of the religions. I was more interested in hiking up my plaid uniform skirt!

In all seriousness, I would think her teaching credentials would be more of a consideration than her personal belief system.
Okie

[(JD)]

Thanks. I was pretty sure it is generally expected that someone in this field would study all religions and belief systems. I just don't know about teaching it TO others as a way of believing, rather than of understanding. Not sure what the situation is here



Have you seen how short those skirts are these days?

[SweetSunshine]

At the School I went to we were also taught the different religions. We even have non catholic kids going to school there. The skirts are at the knees right now. But girls are also allowed to wear slacks. That started a couple years before I got into HS. Grade school when I went wore normal clothes till we got into HS then uniforms were required. I never regretted going to a Catholic school. Even though I dont believe in everything they teach. I was glad for the opportunity to pray and have people that believed the same around me.

[okiedokie]

The way they made sure the skirts were the "appropriate" length back then was that it had to hit the floor when we knelt. Ha!

Hope this isn't considered hijacking a thread....

Okie

[(JD)]

Right okie... a solid line at the floor when kneeling, non Catholic Christian schools and colleges had the same guide. Not here, they can't hardly lean forward without showing something now It's just as bad for the pre teens... like little girls are cute in short skirts?

Anyway... this thread is about a Catholic teaching about Buddha. I think we still need more information about the teacher and her reasons and what she was teaching, or how?