2 minute description of difference between Christianity and Buddhism by Bishop Robert Barron

This video shows a 2 minute description of the difference between Christianity and Buddhism by Bishop Robert Barron given at his "Religion and the Opening Up of the Mind" talk at Google.

He says that in Buddhism the goal is to eliminate desire. Christianity does not want to get rid of all desire, but to awaken a purified higher desire.

Bishop Robert Barron "Religion and the Opening Up of the Mind" talk at Google:

[rumrunner]

This is the first Christian I've ever heard who actually articulates what Buddhism is and doesn't just say what he read in a wikipedia article.

[age-freerkbokma]

As a Buddhist I would like to add that there is a lot of emphasis on compassion in the Mahayana tradition.
And compassion is seen from a Buddhist point of view as the desire to alleviate the suffering of other sentient beings. In this tradition, then, the problem is not so much the desire itself but more the way in which it is directed. Ego-centered desires lead to a lot of dissatisfaction and suffering - not only for ourselves. It is said that ultimate enlightenment is impossible without infinite compassion and wisdom.

[niccoloaurelius]

Quite the respectful reply from him! And really great.

[shahidjagi]

My wife got angry with me and went to his home leaving me and my child behind...so please pray for me that she came back.... please 🥺🙏🥺🥺🥺🥺

[alexanderlazowski]

Bishop Barron is very inspirational in his conversational skill

[ManashantiiTheChristian]

I am an ex-Theravada Buddhist, ex-Dogen Zen Buddhist and ex-New-Age. I was Buddhist for 23 years and now I have been Christian 19 years currently continuously but Christian 26 years in total. I am happy being a Christian but I wasn't when I first started my Christian journey.

Manashantii The Christian

[googleuser]

Correction: Buddhism doesn't aim to stop/cease ones "desires", instead Buddhism aims to stop/cease "selfish desires" (example: greed) and replace them by "selfless desires" (example: living a life that contribute to the benefit others).

The "selfless desire" to teach Buddhist teachings to help cease suffering for all life forms (especially humans) is an important aspect of Buddhism.

Some people misinterpret original Buddhism and engage in extreme asceticism and non-desire of all kinds.

The original Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) after attaining Awakening (Enlightenment) returned from asceticism and started teaching Buddhism to everyone until dying from old age (and food poisoning).

The selfless desire to teach others and help them in attaining Awakening was a very important aspect of the Buddha's life.

[bettytigers]

Finding out what pleases God, and then allowing his spirit to help you do that, seems a fine purpose.

[daves-c]

Oh wow...this little two minute bit just blew my mind.
Thank you, Bishop.

[JW-kunn]

Its not about blowing out the candle, its to get you to see that there was never a candle to begin with

[suthidawestwood]

Nirvana is a "self actualization" there is no God in the process of getting there nor as a final goal. I found God through finally acknowledging that my efforts to get myself there was in vain. I surrendered to what Jesus had done for me on the cross after being a good Buddhist for the first 20 years of my life. Now 39 years later, that was the best decision of my life, no turning back.

[clemonsx]

"Blessed are those that mourn" requires us to detach ourselves from our desires that are not according to God's plan, so I think there's room to recognize the Buddhist attempt to detach from desire as making spiritual room for God.

[tcrown]

Again, as a Buddhist, I was impressed by the way he approached the question.

[bayreuth]

The Buddhist goal is not quite the extinguishing of desire but of craving (tanha).

[samueldellepiane]

In Buddhism desire is not very problem, the problem is attachment of desire...

[Chandransingham]

Great reply. Boundaries are there but a wiser approach is required. Can you spot the demarkation points or lines? Bishop shows the way. Thomas Merton has been there in Sri Lanka, India and beyond to study Buddhism.

[joydicksen]

Wow this helps me understand my son’s widow that is Buddhist and Chinese. May the Grace of God be with her in her journey through RCIA.

[vuhoang]

Buddhism's way of enlightenment to Heaven is like an arrogant man trying to prove himself he can do all things possible, even to the point of having capability to eliminate all human faults and failures (e.g. any desire). Whereas from Catholic faith, we humble ourselves, knowing that we humans cannot do anything without the help of the higher power, from the Holy One, God Himself, to be able to enter the Heaven's gate.
Just that itself from my perspective and as in logical sense has already proved to me that only Jesus Christ, our Lord and God can save us from all damnation.
God bless!🙏

[M-tf]

Another great different is that in budhism you reach nirvana "in yourself" (please correct me If i'm wrong) and Christians in submitting ourselves to the will of God. One can't find peace within oneself without Christ, because the source of our likeness is Christ

[MKKG]

'The principles of earthly desires are enlightenment and the sufferings of birth and death are nirvana, " -Nichiren Buddhism. He just mentioned provisional teachings not the essential teaching of Buddhism.