Buddhism and syncretism

[Ablaze]

For instance, there's a group of people who call themselves "Christian Zen"...

People call themselves all sorts of things. I could call myself a one-eyed one-horned flying purple people-eater, but that doesn't make it so.

 

[Ablaze]

But how well does syncretism with Buddhism work?

It is possible, but I would not say it is anywhere near ideal. As for how people manage to combine belief systems that are contradictory or otherwise at odds with each other on foundational matters, this necessarily requires rejecting certain tenets in order to reconcile conflicting claims. For instance, many people are attached to the notion of an abiding self and choose to hold on to this belief at the expense of perceiving the truth of reality as taught by Buddhism.

:namaste

 

[StarryNightshade]

I'm of the belief that the philosophy of Buddhism (and perhaps some of the metaphysics) is pretty much compatible with most (if not necessarily all) other beliefs systems.

For example, I'm greatly interested in Chan Buddhism (as well as Chinese Mahayana in general), but I'm also exploring Neopaganism. As far as I'm concerned, they are compatible and present no issues for me.

 

[Gjallarhorn]

I'm of the belief that the philosophy of Buddhism (and perhaps some of the metaphysics) is pretty much compatible with most (if not necessarily all) other beliefs systems.

For example, I'm greatly interested in Chan Buddhism (as well as Chinese Mahayana in general), but I'm also exploring Neopaganism. As far as I'm concerned, they are compatible and present no issues for me.

As long as the core teachings don't conflict (or require mental gymnastics to maintain) sure.

 

[StarryNightshade]

As long as the core teachings don't conflict (or require mental gymnastics to maintain) sure.

With me, it's more of the (not necessarily just sitting) meditation techniques of Chan/Zen, along with the culture and philosophy of Neopaganism; specifically, the Celtic pantheon.

Yes there are Deities. Yes, I am a Transtheist.

However, my beliefs don't necessarily involve a creator God (I view God akin to the Tao/Brahman), and when it comes to the deities themselves, I more pray with them, rather than to them. I also focus on their qualities and try to emulate them in real life. Think of it like how the Bodhisattvas are viewed in Mahayana.

 

[LuisDantas]

Are mental gymnastics necessarily a bad thing? That is not clear to me. I suppose they are a strike against doctrines to teach others, but even then...

 

[LuisDantas]

I'm of the belief that the philosophy of Buddhism (and perhaps some of the metaphysics) is pretty much compatible with most (if not necessarily all) other beliefs systems.

For example, I'm greatly interested in Chan Buddhism (as well as Chinese Mahayana in general), but I'm also exploring Neopaganism. As far as I'm concerned, they are compatible and present no issues for me.

I generally agree, except that one must first care about the validity of both belief systems. All religions, certainly including Buddhism, can lose their way and must be cared for so that they do not and/or heal.