The Buddha a Catholic Saint...

[Snoopy]

Intolerance has no religion.

now, where have I read that before SG?

 

[Postmaster]

This has been a very interesting thread to read. However, there might be a slight mix up here, as to which Josaphat is considered the Catholic Saint.

Josaphat Koncevyc (St. Josaphat Polotsk), was born in Lithuania circ 1580, and died 1623 (martyred actually). Besides the many miracles attributed to this Archbishop, it took the church more than five years to examine the oath (witnesses' stories), and his life, yet his body remained apparently incorrupt. That failing the church re-examined Josaphat's life in 1643. He was beatified, and his cannonization occured in 1867. His feast day is on 12 November.

Also of note is the fact that while Catholics hid during the riots that killed Josaphat, it was the Jews who desperately tried to save he and his "children" of the chruch from the mobs.

As far as the Catholic Church, concerning the first story (the Christinized version of one of the legends of Buddha), Josaphat and Barlaam were brought into Roman Martyrology (feast day 27 November, 21 November), but Barlaam was canonized and not Josaphat. Barlaam died (circa 304 ACE), for failing to convert from Christianity, and lost his hand to burning coals prior to his death (for refusing to sprinkle incense over idols).

But still! Josaphat and his story are related to the Canonized Saint Barlaam because he converted Josaphat (Buddah). So offically there is still a porky there!

 

[Quahom1]

But still! Josaphat and his story are related to the Canonized Saint Barlaam because he converted Josaphat (Buddah). So offically there is still a porky there!

As I presume you mean the first Josaphat circa 300 ACE, there is legend but no hard facts to back the story up. There are no remains to verify that Josaphat existed (Barlaam either for that matter). That doesn't mean it isn't true, nor would I attempt to dismiss anything as such. We just don't know what is fact and what is colorful license.

Also note that the "Catholic Church" as we know it today, was not yet even in it's infancy, so the term canonized is a misnomer.

 

[bodhi_mindisfree]

The question is what else has the Catholic church done? And why did they give saint hood to the Buddah with an edited version of his life story?

This is quite funny because the Catholic church had done a lot. Why do we celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25? This has something to do with Zoroastrianism. Look it up. Why are there christmas trees? This relates to a Germanic winter holiday. Look it up. This doesn't have to deal with Catholicism, but why did Magi follow a star to visit Jesus? Magi are Zoroastrian priest looking for their Messiah. Quite a funny story. Look it up. I won't do the work for you, but many Christian traditions stem from other beliefs to try and convert the non-believers. Why else would a bunny rabbit be prominent on Jesus' resurection (Easter)?

 

[pattimax]

This is quite funny because the Catholic church had done a lot. Why do we celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25? This has something to do with Zoroastrianism. Look it up. Why are there christmas trees? This relates to a Germanic winter holiday. Look it up. This doesn't have to deal with Catholicism, but why did Magi follow a star to visit Jesus? Magi are Zoroastrian priest looking for their Messiah. Quite a funny story. Look it up. I won't do the work for you, but many Christian traditions stem from other beliefs to try and convert the non-believers. Why else would a bunny rabbit be prominent on Jesus' resurection (Easter)?

The reason we celebrate Christmas on December 25 is because of the Catholic church. To get people to believe people to believe, it had tocoincide with a Pagan holiday. The early Catholic church was corrupt and it had to do mostly with money. That is why we had the Protestant Reformation. Christmas trees? Same thing. Appeasing Pagans. Easter? Ditto. The bunny rabbit was because of Spring.
Christianity was a hard thing for most too understand, remember it was brand new.The persecution to unbelievers was very real It didn’t line up to the world’s way of thinking. Still doesn’t, there are just more people who do understand Christ’s way of thinking.
Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.