People in America like to use the Buddhist word nirvana quite a bit these days, and there are are even some Catholics and Christians who try to integrate this concept into Christianity, even suggesting that there are strong parallels between Buddhism and Catholicism.
While the Catholic Church rejects nothing that is true in Buddhism – like some of the ethical precepts in the Noble Eightfold Path – it must also emphasize that Buddhism is radically different from Catholicism, and is completely incompatible with the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ spoke of heaven, not nirvana.
It must be firmly stated that the Christian teaching of heaven bears no resemblance to nirvana in Buddhist teaching.
Authentic Buddhism proclaims that the world brings with it only suffering and the way to transcend this suffering is to acknowledge the reality that there is no self. Self or ego in Buddhism is an illusion; all suffering comes from this fallacy.
After living many lives (reincarnation is part of Buddhism), one can finally reach the state of nirvana when one finally accepts the reality that there is no self (enlightenment).
And what is Nirvana exactly? It is when the personality is finally extinguished like a flame. There is no eternal soul, no self and no God in Buddhist philosophy – there is only the “hope” of total extinction. Even the most casual Christian must notice that this is diametrically opposed to the Catholic reality of heaven.
Instead of many lives leading to the extinction of self, the Catholic Church teaches that there is one life that leads either to union with God in heaven, or separation from Him in Hell forever, for the soul is real and eternal.
And while Buddhists teach that desire is the source of all suffering, Catholics teach that heaven is the place where our innate desire for happiness, peace and unity with God is ultimately fulfilled. Instead of hoping for the annihilation of self, Catholics and Christians hope for unity with God in heaven.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church mentions this is the context of the theological virtue of hope:
1817 “Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ’s promises and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit.”
And for those who say that Buddhist meditation helps Catholics, it must be firmly pointed out that there is no accomdation for Jesus Christ in Buddhist meditation. Buddhist meditation is an inward journey toward nothingness, while Catholic prayer is Christ-centered love where one’s heart and mind are outstretched toward heaven.
(This blog post is largely inspired by ideas articulated by Dr. Anthony Clark, Phd., Assistant Professor of Chinese History at the University of Alabama. Learn more by reading an article he wrote called Catholicsm and Buddhism.)
Hello…
It is my understanding that buddhism dismissess the notion of what is not the self… Never in its scriptures stating that there is not a self at all. It appears to be a common mistake to say buddhism dismissess a self. So commom people appear to state it as buddhist fact even though buddhist scripture does note it. Infact I recall reading in buddhist scriptures that nihilism is not what buddhism teaches or shares at all. I’m quite interested in finding out where buddhism states that there is not a self in its scriptures. The only factor that I have discovered in buddhism that leads me to realize that there is a greater truth is that the buddha never entered the higher realms he states exists. He claims if he did he would not be able to return to this world to share his teachings. That itself shows that there is something he could not know or understand. Would like to write more indepth but I’m at work.
Joe,
Thanks for the comment. I’m not familiar with Buddhist doctrinal texts in any great detail, so I can’t respond to much of your comment…I’ll say this, however, when you write “Buddha never entered the higher realms he states exists,” I have to wonder what is the proof for these “higher realms” is. Buddha states they exist, but this merely puts it into the realm of personal speculation.
Jesus Christ, in contrast, claimed that he would be killed, and then three days later he would be resurrected. We have historical, first-hand accounts of people who met with and ate with Jesus Christ after his death and burial. He was not a ghost, but a fleshy man with nail holes in his body and a appetite for fish and bread like other men. This, certainly, makes what Jesus Christ asserts – most importantly that he is Divine – highly credible. Buddha, who was clearly a moral and sincere searcher of truth, has no such mighty “proofs” to his credit.
While Buddhist philosophy is worth studying and provides much in the way of intellectual stimulation and moral guidance, one must be able to reconcile faith and reason; there is simply very few reasons why we should put our faith in reincarnation, karma or nirvana; and for one searching for the truth, Christianity is simply the most reasonable path.
I wish you all the best.
Buddhism teaches that there are heavens, hells, and (beyond both) nirvana. Heaven is not nirvana: the Buddha himself was clear on this. Americans who equate heaven with nirvana don’t understand Buddhism.
Thank for your comment. I think this is an important point and I appreciate you making it so clearly. For a clear and respectful dialogue to emerge between different religions and philosophies, we must always be upfront about the profound differences that do exist. Those who wish to obscure the differences between Christianity and Buddhism, for example, do a disservice to both.