1. Interfaith Dialogue

2. Buddhism and the Catholic Church
The Church expressed its desire to learn how the Spirit may be at work in Buddhism
Second Vatican Council (1962 – 1965)
Most Catholic–Buddhist dialogue has been about spiritual experience
Buddhism is a very practical religion
Buddha rejected discussion of God because he wanted his followers to focus on something they could understand and do something about—suffering
The question of suffering is at the heart of Catholic–Buddhist theological dialogue

3. Catholic View on Suffering
For Catholics, suffering is not the main evil to be overcome
Suffering can even be redemptive
Suffering can be an act of liberating people to love
Ex. God suffered on the cross
Love is what Christians seek and, for them, God is the greatest example and source of love

4. Monastic Traditions
Because both Catholics and Buddhists have long-standing monastic traditions, the Church turned to the Benedictines to initiate dialogue
Buddhist and Catholic monks/nuns have lived together to learn the other’s spiritual traditions and meditation techniques
Buddhist monks, such as the Dalai Lama and Thich Nhat Hanh, have encouraged Christians to enter more deeply into their tradition
In 1991, Pope John Paul II said they have learned from each other “the universal value of self-discipline, silence, and contemplation” in the development of the human person

5. Buddha vs. Jesus Buddha Jesus
There were prophesies made about Siddhartha Gautama at his birth (king or spiritual leader
The Buddha went through a period of self-denial (asceticism) near the beginning of his ministry
Buddha had disciples (monks and nuns)
Buddha was tempted by evil forces (Mara)
Buddha taught using parables
There were prophesies made at the birth of Jesus that he would be the Messiah, the Son of God
Jesus was in the desert for forty days after his Baptism
Jesus had disciples
Jesus was temped by evil forces
Jesus taught using parables

6. Thomas Merton Born in France, baptized as an Anglican, and
raised largely in the United States and England
Identified himself mainly as a communist and
atheist
A sequence of events, including moments of
revelation in a church in Rome, led to his joining the
Catholic Church in 1938
While teaching at St. Bonaventure University in New York state, he attended a retreat at a Trappist monastery in Kentucky
Soon after, he joined the Trappist order
Merton became a strong supporter of interreligious understanding
By the early 1950s, he was exchanging ideas with writers around the world on issues of prayer, justice, and the contemplative life
In 1968, Merton met with Buddhists, Hindus, and Christians in India and Southeast Asia, exchanging ideas and insights
Meetings with the Dalai Lama and Thich Nhat Hanh greatly influenced his ideas

7. Mother Earth
Catholics and Buddhists share a common concern for the health of the Earth
Both faiths believe there is a spiritual dimension to the ecological crisis of today, which is related to the human desire for material goods
Dealing with this desire is part of the contribution that religions can make to these issues
Catholics and Buddhists are taking a more active part in trying to solve environmental problems
In some countries, Buddhists have formed Green Buddhist movements

8. Homework
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