Student of X
Paradigm Shifter
Yes, but not even the Buddha could reach enlightenment on his own. Nor could Jesus carry his cross all the way by himself.
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Is there any other religion other than Christianity that is based on grace not works ?
- Thread starter markymark
- Start date
Yes, but not even the Buddha could reach enlightenment on his own. Nor could Jesus carry his cross all the way by himself.
Wannabe Yogi
Well-Known Member
Could you explain this statement.
Student of X
Paradigm Shifter
"And she said to him, 'Here, eat.' That moment of generosity and release when he accepted the rice was a decision towards life. It was what in the Christian tradition might be called grace that you cannot do it completely on your own, and in Christianity the grace comes from the divine. In the story of the Buddha the grace comes from the ordinary kind heart of a girl who sees somebody starving and says, 'eat'." -Jane Hirshfield
Wannabe Yogi
Well-Known Member
Ok good point.
Student of X
Paradigm Shifter
Yeah, and I could take it a step further and interpret the Morning Star as a manifestation of Divine Grace which served as a catalyst for the Buddhas enlightenment.
"On the full moon of May, with the rising of the morning star, Siddhartha Gautama became the Buddha, the enlightened one. The Buddha wandered the plains of northeastern India for 45 years more, teaching the path (or Dharma) he had realized in that moment under the bodhi tree."
(According to C. George Boeree, professor Buddhist Psychology, Shippensburg, PA.)
Spiritual Growth - Morning Star Institute -- About the Morning Star 3c
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Morning Star Dhamma
Member
Source: Amazing Grace: Christian and Buddhist
Conversely, forms of Christianity that make salvation contingent on the content of one's beliefs are not fully grace-based. Instead, they are merit-based: One must believe in order to be saved. If the theory is that one's beliefs are in one's control, then adopting a belief is a work, and grace is bestowed only if one first engages in this merit-based work of holding this belief.
What a good reason to stay well away.
Katzpur
Not your average Mormon
How rude.
Why?..
can i ask you How do you reach enlightenment in Hinduism?
arthra
Baha'i
I was curious to know what various scriptures say about "Grace" and it appears to be common in most all religions..
Or would they dispute with you before your Lord, say, 'Grace is in the hand of God, He gives it to whom he pleases, for God both comprehends and knows. He specially favours with his mercy whom he pleases, for God is Lord of mighty grace.
(The Qur'an (E.H. Palmer tr), Sura 3 - Imran's Family)
O ye folk! there has come to you a warning from your Lord, and a balm for what is in your breasts, and a guidance and a mercy to believers.
Say, 'By the grace of God and by His mercy,- and in that let them rejoice! It is better than that which they collect!' Let us see now what God has sent down to you of provision! and yet ye have made of it unlawful and lawful. Say, 'Does God permit you, or against God do ye forge lies?
What will those who forge lies against God think on the resurrection day? Verily, God is Lord of grace towards men, but most of them do not give thanks!
(The Qur'an (E.H. Palmer tr), Sura 10 - Jonah, Peace be on Him)
84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
(King James Bible, Psalms)
4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
(King James Bible, Hebrews)
2 We crave the heavenly grace of Gods to guard us-so may Brhaspati, O friends, exalt us-
That he, the Bounteous God, may find us sintess, who giveth from a distance like a father.
(Vedas, Rig Veda - Book 7)
With all thy soul
Trust Him, and take Him for thy succour, Prince!
So- only so, Arjuna!- shalt thou gain-
By grace of Him- the uttermost repose,
The Eternal Place!
(Hindu, Bhagavad Gita (Edwin Arnold tr))
4. Aye, let us win and conquer (?) long life, O Ahura Mazda! in Thy grace, and through Thy will
may we be powerful. May'st Thou lay hold on us to help, and long, and with salvation, O
Thou most beneficent of beings!
(The Zend-Avesta, Avesta - Yasna)
The waves of the ocean of divine mercy appear at the utmost height, and the showers of the clouds of His grace and favor descend every moment. During the days of sojourn in 'Iraq this Oppressed One sat down and consorted with all classes without veil or disguise. How many of the denizens of the horizons entered in enmity and went forth in sympathy! The door of grace was open before the faces of all.
~ Abdu'l-Baha, A Traveller's Narrative, p. 44
The grace of earth has reached only the pines and cedars; winter and summer alike, they are green. The grace of God has reached to Yao and to Shun, who alone attained rectitude.
(Tao, Chuangtse (Lin Yutang tr))
Or would they dispute with you before your Lord, say, 'Grace is in the hand of God, He gives it to whom he pleases, for God both comprehends and knows. He specially favours with his mercy whom he pleases, for God is Lord of mighty grace.
(The Qur'an (E.H. Palmer tr), Sura 3 - Imran's Family)
O ye folk! there has come to you a warning from your Lord, and a balm for what is in your breasts, and a guidance and a mercy to believers.
Say, 'By the grace of God and by His mercy,- and in that let them rejoice! It is better than that which they collect!' Let us see now what God has sent down to you of provision! and yet ye have made of it unlawful and lawful. Say, 'Does God permit you, or against God do ye forge lies?
What will those who forge lies against God think on the resurrection day? Verily, God is Lord of grace towards men, but most of them do not give thanks!
(The Qur'an (E.H. Palmer tr), Sura 10 - Jonah, Peace be on Him)
84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
(King James Bible, Psalms)
4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
(King James Bible, Hebrews)
2 We crave the heavenly grace of Gods to guard us-so may Brhaspati, O friends, exalt us-
That he, the Bounteous God, may find us sintess, who giveth from a distance like a father.
(Vedas, Rig Veda - Book 7)
With all thy soul
Trust Him, and take Him for thy succour, Prince!
So- only so, Arjuna!- shalt thou gain-
By grace of Him- the uttermost repose,
The Eternal Place!
(Hindu, Bhagavad Gita (Edwin Arnold tr))
4. Aye, let us win and conquer (?) long life, O Ahura Mazda! in Thy grace, and through Thy will
may we be powerful. May'st Thou lay hold on us to help, and long, and with salvation, O
Thou most beneficent of beings!
(The Zend-Avesta, Avesta - Yasna)
The waves of the ocean of divine mercy appear at the utmost height, and the showers of the clouds of His grace and favor descend every moment. During the days of sojourn in 'Iraq this Oppressed One sat down and consorted with all classes without veil or disguise. How many of the denizens of the horizons entered in enmity and went forth in sympathy! The door of grace was open before the faces of all.
~ Abdu'l-Baha, A Traveller's Narrative, p. 44
The grace of earth has reached only the pines and cedars; winter and summer alike, they are green. The grace of God has reached to Yao and to Shun, who alone attained rectitude.
(Tao, Chuangtse (Lin Yutang tr))
Wannabe Yogi
Well-Known Member
According to Advaita Vedanta (the sect of Hinduism that is mostly taught in western Universities) the attainment of liberation is when we realize the unreality of our own psyche or ego with the simultaneous revelation of the ever-existent Truth. Some call this Truth Brahman others call IT God. God is the source of all spiritual and phenomenal existence. Once we realize our true nature we become free of all suffering. Freedom is the mark of enlightenment we call an Enlightened sage a Jivamukta one who is free while alive in the body. Enlightenment is not something you reach it is something we are. Its our birth right we just are unaware of our true nature.
so you are saying the answer to enlightenment and earth's problems lies in one on self...is that right
Wannabe Yogi
Well-Known Member
Enlightenment is realizing your real self and not identifying with the limited self. Putting an end to the worlds problems was not part of my comments on this thread.
Marble
Rolling Marble
In Hinduism there is an entire science of devotion named Bhakti.
On this part, rules and regulations are unimportant - what really counts is the loving repetition of the name of God (Nama Japa).
Buddhism has a branch called Pure Land Buddhism where practice constists of the repetition of the Nembutsu (Namu Amida Butsu ="I take refuge in Amida Buddha").
jamesmorrow
Active Member
what bible do we have today??? do you realize that there are several different versions of the bible in use today? with several different books that some accept, while others reject? even many of the books that are now universally agreed upon by all christian sects were at one point rejected.... the book of revelations for example was not accepted by the early christians for a good 4 centuries.
you just believe what you have been taught to believe. poor ignorant fool.
FlyingTeaPot
Irrational Rationalist. Educated Fool.
Then how exactly is god reaching down to us? He says believe me, although I won't present you with any proof, otherwise its hellfire for eternity!
Tathagata
Freethinker
False representation of Buddhist beliefs. Buddhism is not based on works or grace because its's not about trying to please a god. It's about self-realization. Works and grace do not apply because there is no judge.
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While I think Mormons are just as "Christian" as any other sect, whether it be the Roman Church, or the Luthren Church. The criteria used by many, is that a "Christian" must adhere to the Athanasian creed, a founding doctrine of the Roman Church. Athanasian Creed
The Utah type of Mormonism does not accept this false creed, and therefore, under that Creeds edict, they will "perish everlastingly", and therefore in the minds of many, they cannot be called "Christian". Being as a founding Creed of the "Christian" religion is false, I would think it would be better to be left out of the party. Maybe God will smile on the Utah Mormons, for their monotheism, and their stockpile of foodstuffs will come in handy.