Modern Koans – What God thinks about Buddhist?

Modern Koans is an ongoing series that recognizes that good questions are often more important then their answers.

The riddles of God are more satisfying than the solutions of man. ― G.K. Chesterton

What God thinks about Buddhist?

Recently I posted a comment to someone else’s blog post. A kind Christian commented what they thought God thinks about Buddhist.  Here’s how the conversation has gone thus far.  

Comment: As a Christian, I don’t think God will hold it against you for following the wisdom of The Buddha. Much of Jesus’ teaching seems to be koan.

Response: Thank you, it’s a nice thought and I appreciate the sentiment. But this is one of the things that puzzles me. Can we say what God would or would not hold against us? Let’s dig into it a little.

If it were possible to understand God’s intent, we’d have a couple of ways of knowing

1. He can speak to us – e.g. the Bible (Father)
2. He can appear to us in person (today and any other day we need him) (Son)
3. Or he can be part of us and guide our way (Holy Ghost)

If we use the Bible as a reference, your sentiment doesn’t jibe with John 14:6 “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”?

I think non-theists generally have ground to stand on when they say that God doesn’t or can’t appear to us as a personal God.

If he were part of us guiding us there might be some room to wiggle around in. This is where I’m sympathetic and where I gather your sentiment arises. Perhaps here is where we can find some common ground.

What do you think? Can we know God’s thoughts, intentions, etc? Is it blasphemy to claim to? Is there common ground between Buddhism and Christianity? Or does John 14:6 preclude any compatibility?

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.

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