A guided tour, learning about meditation, a short video on the life of Buddha and a question and answer session. These were all part of the Year 7s visit to our neighbouring Buddhist temple.
Why is a Catholic College taking its students to a Buddhist temple? It is part of learning about the major world religions, a component of the national R.E. programme.
It is only through understanding and respect we can come closer together. Looking for similarities and learning about differences.
As explained in the Catechism, there are shared fundamental truths in all of the great world religions (Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism).
841 The Church’s relationship with the Muslims. “The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind’s judge on the last day.”330
842 The Church’s bond with non-Christian religions is in the first place the common origin and end of the human race:
All nations form but one community. This is so because all stem from the one stock which God created to people the entire earth, and also because all share a common destiny, namely God. His providence, evident goodness, and saving designs extend to all against the day when the elect are gathered together in the holy city. . .331
843 The Catholic Church recognizes in other religions that search, among shadows and images, for the God who is unknown yet near since he gives life and breath and all things and wants all men to be saved. Thus, the Church considers all goodness and truth found in these religions as “a preparation for the Gospel and given by him who enlightens all men that they may at length have life.”332
