User:Mike4ty4/Bahá'í Faith and Buddhism

(Needs more cites) (see talk page)

The relationship between the religions of Buddhism and the Bahá'í Faith can be discussed in terms of both Bahá'í doctrine, including that on Buddhism and the Buddha, as well as on contact with the spread of the Bahá'í Faith into Buddhist countries.

(Note to editors: intro is weak)

Comparison of mainstream Bahá'í doctrine versus Buddhism
There are both points of agreement and disagreement between the conventionally-accepted doctrines of the two religions. Regarding differences, a notable one is that Buddhism adopts a non-theistic metaphysics, while the Bahá'í Faith adopts a monotheistic one. Another important difference is that the Bahá'í Faith believes that the life and afterlife of humans forms a linear progression beginning in the womb, while Buddhism believes in a cyclical process of rebirth.(over simplification of Baha'i view - see cites on talk page) There are also similarities, especially in the areas of moral teachings. For example, both Buddhism and the Bahá'í Faith may agree that practices such as racism are wrong. Compassion and the golden rule are also highly important in the teachings of both religions. Also, both Buddhism and Bahá'í believe the universe has no beginning and no end.

Particulars….

have Religious texts, Spiritual practice, Prostration, Buddhist calendar, Bahá'í calendar being lunisolar….

Bahá'í apologetics seems relevant...

Faith, God in the Bahá'í Faith, God in Buddhism

meditation

Prayer beads (minor issue but worth mentioning)

swastika (or whatever link wished)

might be useful to relate - Women as theological figures

Bahá'í view of Buddhism and Gautama Buddha
From the viewpoint of Bahá'í theology, the founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) is considered a "Manifestation of God", a being created for the purpose of revealing the will of God and word of God to humanity. As such, Buddhism is considered a religion of God and as equal in status to many other major world religions including Christianity and Islam, as well as the Bahá'í Faith itself.

a related idea that is part of representing the overall relationship from a Bahá'í pov - Bahá'í Faith and the unity of religion, (does Buddhism have a distinguishable view on relationships with other religions and does it have an article?)

other linkable Gautama Buddha in world religions

Differences between Buddhist and Bahá'í doctrine are explained as resulting from the different circumstances in which the religions were revealed, to later developments by the followers of Buddhism, and also to error in the available collections of Buddhist writings insofar as accurately representing the teachings of Buddha.(needs cite) On this last point, 'Abdu'l-Bahá states in Some Answered Questions that "...the original principles of His [Buddha's] doctrines gradually disappeared..." . Buddhists, however, may disagree on this question of accuracy. (Note: I could cite one Buddhist I know of who does this but it'd be a citation of online postings, which doesn't seem suitable for WP. I'm not sure where I could find a source for this from more reliable sources. It seems such a citation would have to reference Buddhists on the issue of Baha'i specifically .)

Regardless, Bahá'ís are not discouraged from associating with followers of other religions, including Buddhism, and in fact are encouraged to do so.

Maitreya
See Maitreya

Dalai Lama
Not saying all this should be here but with proper condensing ….

The current Dalai Lama is a leading religious figure in the world. It may be worthwhile for individuals who value his place in the world to know about interactions he has had with the Baha'i Faith.

• In 1966 a Baha'i was able to interview the Dalai Lama about a prophecy from the 1800s that this would be his final appearance. (url broken at this time)

• In 1968 Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga visited with the Dalai Lama.

• In 1974 Baha'i Jamshed Fozdar was able to have an audience with him in Dharamsala, India where Fozdar was able to present a copy of his book "Buddha Maitrya-Amithaba has appeared" - which spends several hundred pages digesting Buddhist prophecies and teachings about the coming Buddha in ways alien to traditional understanding but which may be self-consistent. (From the Feb 1977 issue of "Baha'i News", p. 15 - http://bahai-news.info/viewer.erb?vol=09&page=455)

• In August 1986 a delegation of Baha'is was able to present a copy of the statement by the Universal House of Justice called "The Promise of World Peace" - to the Dalai Lama and he said "the timely issuing of the peace statement will greatly help in molding world opinion in favor of peace and international understanding." (From the Aug 1986 issue of "Baha'i News", p. 15 - http://bahai-news.info/viewer.erb?vol=11&page=685)

• In November 1988 the Dalai Lama visited the Baha'i House of Worship in India sometimes called the [[Lotus Temple|- where he meditated in the prayer hall for more than half an hr. (From the Feb 1989 issue of "Baha'i News", p. 4, http://bahai-news.info/viewer.erb?vol=12&page=456, and another Buddhist figure, he 12th Tai Sitppa, at http://bahai-news.info/viewer.erb?vol=12&page=733)

• In early March 1995 the London Baha'i Choir performed at an interfaith festival at Middlesex University which was attended by the Dalai Lama.


 * Dalai Lama visited the Lotus Temple

• In late March 1995 the Dalai Lama visited the Baha'i World Center and meditated in the Shrine of the Bab, marking the first visit by the head of a religion to for such a visit. The Dalai Lama entered the Shrine of the Bab reverently, assumed a lotus position, and remained seated for five minutes while meditating with his eyes closed. Afterward, he asked permission to place a scarf on the Threshold, and covered its length with a long, white silk scarf. "The presentation of such a scarf," said a report from the World Center, "is the highest act of respect which the Dalai Lama can confer. To his followers, a scarf from him is the greatest honor and blessing they can receive." Afterwards he toured the Seat of the Universal House of Justice. (From the June 5, 1994 issue of "The American Baha'i")(need to fill out the citation more).

The presentation of a white scarf, or Kata/Khata, is normally done *to* a Lama, or teacher, dignitary, or idol of same.

• In 1999 Baha'is and the Dalai Lama were among the attendees at the "Parliament of the World's Religions" held in South Africa.

• In July 2004 Parliament of the World's Religions was held in Spain where Baha'is and the Dalai Lama were among the Parliament's international advisory committee.

• In 2008 Baha'ishelped coordinate support at the Hague for a "Faith in Human Rights" statement which included signatures of the Dalai Lama and the international representative of the Baha'i Faith among many leaders.

• In late 2009 Baha'is and the Dalai Lama were among the attendees at the "Parliament of the World's Religions" held in Australia.

• In August 2010 Baha'is participated in a World E-Conference on Culture of Peace and Sustainability which features speeches by prominent experts on peace and sustainability, including the Dalai Lama and fellow Nobel Peace Prize laureate Adolfo Perez Esquivel among others.

The viewpoint of historical scholarship
With regards to the question of the accuracy of Buddhist texts in preserving the teachings of Buddha, the views of historical scholars on the subject vary. Richard Gombrich suggests the early Pali Canon texts do indeed preserve the teachings of Buddha, though he also suggests that some of the teachings have been taken to literally. Other scholars, like Gregory Schopen, are more skeptical. See Early Buddhism and origins of the Pali Canon for more. (Should this section be here? It may be making the question of scriptural 'accuracy' a little too WEIGHTy... perhaps, however, material on other issues could be added to balance things out.)

Bahá'í Faith in the Buddhist world
Could say that the Bahá'í Faith is a minority religion in every country. In countries where Buddhism is a significant presence… see Buddhism by country

(Needs to be added. This should cover the history of the Baha'i Faith in Buddhist parts of the world like East and Southeast Asia, and preferably also its interactions with Buddhism.)

The Bahá'í Faith in Asia(should be able to subsection south-east Asia eventually if it that would be more focused) - (significant Buddhist countries - see Bahá'í Faith in Vietnam, Bahá'í Faith in India, Bahá'í Faith in Japan, Bahá'í Faith in China, Bahá'í Faith in Taiwan, Bahá'í Faith in South Korea, Bahá'í Faith in Cambodia, Bahá'í Faith in Thailand, Bahá'í Faith in Burma, Bahá'í Faith in Sri Lanka, Bahá'í Faith in Hong Kong, Bahá'í Faith in Macau, Bahá'í Faith in Malaysia. )