STRASBOURG, France, SEPT. 22, 2002 (Zenit.org).- If Buddhism arouses so much interest among Europeans it is because they are ignorant of their Christian spiritual heritage, says a Buddhist master.
Jérôme Ducor, of the Japanese Shinshu movement, exhorted Christian churches of the Continent «to make Europeans rediscover the spiritual riches of the Christian message.»
On Friday, Ducor, a Swiss vice director of the Shingyoji Temple in Geneva, opened the second day of the «Consultation on Buddhism in Europe.» The meeting, which ended Saturday, was organized by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and the Council of European Episcopal Conferences.
The master, associated with Buddhism since his adolescence, began by explaining the alleged figure of 1 million Buddhists in Europe.
«It is more a question of sympathizers than of practicing Buddhists,» he said. «To these must be added the declarations of famous actresses, such as Sophie Marceau and Isabelle Adjani, who describe themselves as Buddhists, but they are not militant. In fact, they don’t understand much about what it actually means.»
«Hence, there is much confusion,» Ducor continued. «But one thing is sure: Buddhism is very much liked in Europe because it comes across as a liberating faith, a complete spiritual voice.»
So why do people turn to Buddhism and not to Christianity?
«In all honesty, I must say that the greater part of these people do not know the Christian heritage,» said the Buddhist master, whose statements were published by the Italian episcopal conference’s press service. «And it is surprising to see this not only among young people, but also among adults.»
He added: «The celebrations are known — there is attendance at marriages — but Christian spirituality is not known in depth. If the cultural foundation is missing in the Christian message, then, of course, people begin to search.»
«I think that people are searching profoundly,» the Buddhist said. «The largest question facing us today is the one related to death. For me, death was the big question. I did not need theoretical answers but practical ways.»
Ducor suggests two avenues to Christian churches: to restore a «cultural foundation» to the Christian message, and to make the «spiritual treasure of Christianity» known «so that it is this message that reaches people.»
«People need a spiritual life or, even better, they need a lived spirituality,» he said. «In this, Christianity has a great treasure. I am thinking of the Church Fathers and their wonderful texts, of prayer and the monastic legacy.»
