I’m left somewhat perplexed by the recent article on the common-values between Catholics and Buddhists. I cannot say with exact confidence that great writers like G.K. Chesterton could agree (Ref. The Dumb Ox).
While I hope that there are common-values shared between other philosophies, Buddhism has always been a tradition that has looked at the World and Nature of things to be the cause of suffering and to be escaped. The «An-atman» is the aspiration of not having a soul. And the goal and source of salvation, according to Buddhism, is to enter into «non-being.» It seems the Buddhist empties himself to escape reality, whereas the Christian empties himself to be filled by the grace of God, so as to be fully alive.
Buddhism has always scared me for these reasons, and perhaps it is because my understanding remains superficial, along with G.K. Chesterton if we are incorrect.
Chris Pietraszko
