Pope Benedict XVI Says He Will Resign

[tiltbillings]

Catholic encyclopedia on Buddhism... http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03028b.htm

"The fundamental tenets of Buddhism are marked by grave defects that not only betray its inadequacy to become a religion of enlightened humanity, but also bring into bold relief its inferiority to the religion of Jesus Christ. In the first place, the very foundation on which Buddhism rests—the doctrine of karma with its implied transmigrations—is gratuitous and false..."

"Another fatal defect of Buddhism is its false pessimism. A strong and healthy mind revolts against the morbid view that life is not worth living, that every form of conscious existence is an evil. Buddhism stands condemned by the voice of nature the dominant tone of which is hope and joy. It is a protest against nature for possessing the perfection of rational life. The highest ambition of Buddhism is to destroy that perfection by bringing all living beings to the unconscious repose of Nirvana. Buddhism is thus guilty of a capital crime against nature, and in consequence does injustice to the individual..."

"Buddhism has accomplished but little for the uplifting of humanity in comparison with Christianity. One of its most attractive features, which, unfortunately, has become wellnigh obsolete, was its practice of benevolence towards the sick and needy. Between Buddhists and Brahmins there was a commendable rivalry in maintaining dispensaries of food and medicine. But this charity did not, like the Christian form, extend to the prolonged nursing of unfortunates stricken with contagious and incurable diseases, to the protection of foundlings, to the bringing up of orphans, to the rescue of fallen women, to the care of the aged and insane. Asylums and hospitals in this sense are unknown to Buddhism..."

I wonder what Western Dharma center is being referred to here?

[Coyote]

I wonder what Western Dharma center is being referred to here?

Catholic Encyclopaedia was written nearly 100 years ago and not by Pope Benedict.

Nevertheless, this kind of misunderstanding or perspective is common in Catholicism. For example:
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/ponti ... ge_en.html

There are a few garbled perspectives on Buddhism there, but it's more talking about Catholics taking up non-catholic spirituality, something seen as a big problem in modern catholic circles by Catholics, and something I understand PB and his predecessor wanted to address. It's seen as something spiritually dangerous for those who are baptised to engage in.

I'd say this kind of thinking is common and perhaps even expected from a religion that sees God's creation as ultimately good, and to be restored to it's original perfection after the last judgement. Denial of that seen is pessimistic and hopeless, and even dangerous.

[tiltbillings]

I wonder what Western Dharma center is being referred to here?

Catholic Encyclopaedia was written nearly 100 years ago and not by Pope Benedict.

I know. I was being waggish, if not snarkish.

[Kim O'Hara]

I wonder what Western Dharma center is being referred to here?

Catholic Encyclopaedia was written nearly 100 years ago and not by Pope Benedict.

I know. I was being waggish, if not snarkish.

Quite possibly both.


Kim

[tiltbillings]

know. I was being waggish, if not snarkish.

Quite possibly both.


Kim

Not to mention ironic and sarcastic.

[appicchato]

Quite possibly both.


Kim

lol...