Remember that Buddha arrived some 550 years before Jesus, and is sanskrit for one who has been fully awakened or has experienced a deep enlightenment. In case you’re wondering, enlightenment (nirvana) means “extinction” or the on-going extinguishing of our passions. No wonder we Christians don’t want to go “there“. we just want to talk about “dying to self“. Everyone wants to go to heaven but no one wants to dire. Bring on the rapture first!
Mark 8:35 “Those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake shall save it.”
Majjhima Nikaya 72:15 “With the relinquishing of all thought and egotism, the enlightened one is liberated through not clinging.”
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John 14:27 “Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”
Majjhima Nikaya 6:8 “May fear and dread not conquer me”
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John 8:32 “You shall know the truth and the truth will make you free.”
Dhammapada 13:2 “One who acts on truth is happy in this world and beyond.”
I am not sure I understand your point. And I really, really want to. Is what you are saying is that we don’t need to give up passion to be saved. Or are you saying that Christians are lazy because they aren’t willing to truly surrender their devils?
I cannot wait to hear your answer.
Heather Flanagan
http://www.VisualizePossibilities.com
The whole point hinges on your paradigm and culturally developed definition of passion and salvation now doesn’t it.
Ernie, I have just now decided that I really *really* like you!
Don’t make me work too hard, here, Ernia. I am just a poor defenseless heathen… er, Heather. Give up the goods! What did you mean?
In playful curiousity,
Heathen (Woops! Not again!)
PS. I think it would be cool if your “Submit” button said “Repent”.