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Document Details : Title: Authority in Buddhism and Christianity Subtitle: 8th Conference of the European Network of Buddhist-Christian Studies, St Ottilien, Germany, 11-15 June 2009 Author(s): MAY, John D'Arcy Journal: Studies in Interreligious Dialogue Volume: 20 Issue: 1 Date: 2010 Pages: 98-104 DOI: 10.2143/SID.20.1.2050497 Abstract : The European Network of Buddhist-Christian Studies invited a number of Buddhist and Christian speakers to its eighth conference in St Ottilien near Munich (11-15 June 2009) to address the question of authority in the two traditions. Several Buddhist contributors urged Buddhists to become more historically aware of different structures and practices of authority, while others stressed the spiritual dimension of authority. Some were surprised to learn from the Christian speakers that Christianity, too, has a long tradition of spiritual authority and guidance. In Buddhism, however, authority ultimately resides in one’s own experience and judgement rather than in tradition. In both religions the role of scripture is prominent though very different. Many of these issues come to a head when the question of women’s ordination is raised, in ways that are similar in the different contexts. The nature and function of the church, however, has no real parallel in Buddhism, which becomes apparent when we turn to the relationship between politics and religion. |
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