fasting for 3 years, that is quite a feat

Yes, especially the no water part.

Kinda somehow reminds me of how people flock to see Benny Hinn.

Not that I consider myself a scholar of Buddhism, but I am more well-read on Buddhist teachings than most people of judaeo-Christian background. I find it interesting, and I believe they state this in the article, that anyone would believe Gautama would reincarnate, since the whole point is to become free of the cycle of death and rebirth and enter a state of nirvana. One who has become Buddha, or awakened, no longer falls back asleep, does not become unenlightened, etc. If that perosn was a Bodhisatva, this is one who is enlightened but delays nirvana for the sake of guiding others, they would not reincarnate, but rather would not die until mission is completed.

Good point, Fella. I think it comes down to the fact that people will believe what they want to believe and will think up reasons to explain away any apparent inconsistencies to their choosing what to believe.

Bugs - much like any religion does with inconsistencies...which is where faith comes in to play

but is there anything too difficult for the Bhuda?

all joking aside, it is of course possible that this man is nonetheless a holy man with some significant purpose. Even though I profess Christianity, I do believe that there are holy people of other religious and spiritual traditions who, in some way beyond our conventional theological understanding, are fulfilling some portion of God's plan. And this is a pivotal time in spiritual history, so this man may be someone of particular significance. On the otherhand, he may be one of many false alarms too.

Of course. That kinda goes without saying. But do you disagree with my original comment?

ManofSteel - what happened to your Steelers this past week?

I'll get off topic, but only for one post. The Steelers love to practice this form of play whereby they outplay another team but lose to that team in the end. They have been quite successful at it, as they have done it for years, and often resulting in irritated fans. They succeeded quite well in irritating me

lol- good luck to them for the rest of season!

the one about Benny Hinn? Sure, for unknown reasons people flock to him like crazies to a full moon...

as far as the "make stuff up to explain it", yes, people will do that as well

You post is interesting as it seems to go against the Bible and Christianity. Romans 3:10 "...There is no one righteous, not even one. Romans 3:12 "All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one."

None of us are holy, the Bible makes that very clear. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. God requires us to be perfect but we have all broken his laws and will stand to be judged by God. We are in need of a Savior and that is Jesus.

Buddha boy is nothing more than a fallen person in need of a savior.

As for Benny Hinn, keep as far away from that false teacher (IMHO) as you can.

As a Colts fan, I was happy with the outcome but I understand your frustration. We have seen it plenty this year with the Colts.

Creditcop, not every statement about a person being "holy" is done so in the context of citing their justification or lack thereof before God. The quotes you make of scripture are within a specific context. My statement did not indicate that this young man, or anyone else for that matter, are free of sin or capable of justifying themselves before God. My post merely points out that there are people who are "holy" as in of a profound spiritual level of development, and that this young man may fit that description.

I guess your definition of holy and mine are just different.

and there are religions that are not based on Christianity and offer a differing opinion...

Typical. Christianity is the supreme.

You know, it's not like Buddhism is a few thousand (give or take some decades, of course) years older than Christianity.

imo, that's what's wrong with the organzied Chrsitian religion as a whole. It thinks it's better than everyone and everything else, including those things that existed before it.

For the record, I think people can believe in any religion, supernatural being, whatever, that they want to believe.

But a religion that comes across as almost holier than thou - no pun - (ie - who are the Christians to say that Buddha is a fallen one? Tends to look like they are putting themselves above) just doesn't sit well with me.

Again, believe what you want, but organized Christian religion as we know it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

9 out of 10 times, if I am using the word "holy" I am referring to it moreso in the original understanding tht God is One, "whole" unfragmented, which gives rise to the understanding of "sin" which is unholy, fragmented or broken. In that sense, I wholeheartedly agree, everyone is broken away from God due to sin, otherwise why believe in a Savior.

But sometimes I utilize the word in a manner that the context further defines it. The idea being that if a person is of a profound spiritual development, they are closer to being "whole" thus the term "holy."

My belief is that no matter who it is, if that person has attained any level of spiritual good, it must be somehow related to the outpouring of grace through Christ, even if that person does not know it. I would not attribute moral good to any other source.

Wow....this is a bit judgemental, isn't it? Just because someone's beliefs are different from yours that makes them inherently wrong and therefore in need of 'saving'? Yipes......

See my post, Becca!

Well said, AG.

Of course people are free to believe in what they want to, I never said othewise. I said that we all are fallen (actually the Bible says that).

I didn't say Christianity is the only way----Jesus did. You are free to disagree.