Are Christian saints enlightened according to Hinduism/Buddhism?

Question

In the Eastern belief of reincarnation and enlightenment (I know that enlightenment and other "higher" states of consciousness are REAL and achievable in this life) are the saints of Christianity (Islam, too) enlightened? Of course Jesus and Muhammad are 'enlightened', they were perfect. And there are stories in Buddhism and Hinduism of people becoming enlightened quickly for their high morals and detachment from all worldly things.

I ask because every religion or philosophy that has a drawing of a wise person, they usually draw a "halo" behind their heads to signify they are wise. Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, saints, many philosophers are drawn with this halo... It is like a universal symbol of "this is a spiritually advanced person". Is enlightenment not achievable to everyone since every religion and every 'good' philosophy teach the same high moral standards?

Answer 1

Krishna is a universal Godman, and those who partake of "One Mind Soul"-realization are Godmen (or, in today-speak, "Godpeople").



Guru Nanak's famous statement, "You will need a Godman" applies to all religions and faiths, even Confucianism (God-realization as the Immortals (e.g., the Yellow Emperor) was a motivation of Confucius, who desire to "prove all things" or "work out his salvation with diligence").



As to the "halo" or nimbus (to use another term: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halo_(religious_iconography) ) is a visual reality (e.g., Pope Leo XIII in later 19th century was seen on occasion to have a visible golden halo), it may be investigated or described somewhat in terms of the physics of Light. There are certain mathematical sureties which determine a halo's shape, and certain energies which produce such Realization. Related: "The Physics of the Soul," "Light Is a Living Spirit," "The Path of the Higher Self."



Sri Ramakrishna, a Godman, was visited by Christ Jesus, and noted His nose was somewhat more aquiline than in the painting Sri Ramakrishna had seen (Sri Ramakrishna also experienced God-realization in the tradition of the Prophet Mohammad (owbp), and was speechless for three days following).



The Buddhist monks of Tibet have a tradition re "Saint Issa," aka Christ Jesus: http://encyclopedia.summitlighthouse.org/index.php/Issa



Paramahansa Yogananda, an Avatar of Divine Love, visited Saint Therese of Neumann during the Third Reich difficulties, and they understood each other very well. The visit is described here: http://www.ananda.org/autobiography/#chap39



In general, there is a Oneness or "Community of the Holy Spirit" experienced by those of every faith, with divine Love, God-Obedience, and other such being the "order of the Day." Somewhat less than this, are those Saints and religious who are practiced in the realizations and truths of their respective faith, and who are studying to understand other Teaching.

Answer 2

Buddhism originated 500 years ago before Christ.

There was no Christianity at the time, so Buddha never said anything about Christian saints.



Hinduism is even older than Buddhism.



Christian saints are a topic in Hinduism or in Buddhism.



In Buddhism,, enlightenment means you have become very open to everything you feel and relax into it all. It is not a spiritual attainment, but a way of no longer getting upset over things.

Nor are there saints in Buddhism.

Answer 3

Yes, like St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross. Also St. Francis of Azzizi and many others have been viewed as enlightened by the Hindus and Buddhist. I don't think it's the religion nor the saints that may turn the heads of the Buddhist or the Hindus because after reading much on all three religions, going to Buddhist Teachings with some gurus, mainly Tibetan Buddhist and going to an Ashram and Hindu studies with some of the student who were taught by Paramahansa Yogananda, I realized that they just know when someone else is there.... enlightenment. There is just something there that isn't like laymen people. You just know it when you are around them. So, they don't go off the religion of the Saints, they go more from the characteristics of the one who is enlightened to make their judgement. You should check out the parallel saysing of Buddha and Jesus. Mostly the same things just worded a little different. They even use similar parables. Then you can look up parallel verses in the Bible and the Bhagavad Gita. You will find very similar saying and meanings in them both. It's amazing what you find in them all that is alike when you put away all judgemental viewpoints. All of them have very similar verses. And Reincarnation is displayed in the Bible but is never mentioned as Reincarnation. But, here is just one example... When they asked Jesus who was he, was he Elijah.... Well, Elijah had been dead for some time. But they thought he had the spirit of him. As if he was another incarnation of him. Also, in Revelation 3 in the seven churches he mentions that He would no have to go back out again. What he is saying is similar to getting off the Dharma Wheel in Buddhism. He won't have to be born again in the world. Which being born again is to free yourself of the cyclic existence of Buddha.

Answer 4

Hindus are known for honoring a wide range of people. It wouldn't be surprising if at least one Christian saint was recognized as one of the many Hindu gods.



With Buddhists, there are different opinions. A thing to consider is Buddhism's Middle Way, it's rejection of the extreme of self-denial along with the extreme of self-indulgence. Buddhists don't believe there's any merit in having, for example, a bed of nails. Some Buddhists stereotype Christians an masochistic, obsessed with their sins. You won't hear a Buddhist even use the word "sin." It's not that Buddhists don't acknowledge ill-will and its results in the afterlife as well as this life. It's just that the word "sin" has all that Judeo-Christian baggage from the God of Vengeance. Buddhists say "foolishness" and "ignorance."

Answer 5

According to Hinduism/Buddhism if they were enlightened they'd be Hindus/Buddhists.

Answer 6

Answering your main question doesn't intrigue me, but a couple of your other statements do. I would be interested to discuss ideas on what "enlightenment and other "higher" states of consciousness" are. What constitutes such states? I note, "high morals and detachment from all worldly things", but there is much room for elaboration there.



Also, IS enlightenment achievable to everyone? It may be, but if it is, I wouldn't say that it is, "since every religion and every 'good' philosophy teach the same high moral standards".

Answer 7

Salvation in Christianity, Samadhi in Hinduism and Enlightenment in Christianity are a one same thing, as much as they may differ in the "structure" we perceive of it.

Answer 8

Both Buddhist and Christians writers recognise the concept of sainthood as a product of non-violence benevolence. Therefore the muslim cannot be considered as a saint.

Answer 9

I am certain sects and different schools of eastern religion disagree on this point.

Answer 10

Yes.