Question

Describe the similarities between a Buddhist monastery and a Catholic monastery. Why are there similarities

Answer 1

Describe the similarities between a Buddhist monastery and a Catholic monastery

1. Both the Buddhist monastery and the Catholic monastery have Priests, nuns and tonsured monks.
2. They make use of incense, bells & candles in their everyday rituals.
3. They have statues and relics of their deity or 'bhikkhu'.
4. They have relics and processions during their festival or celebrations or mournings.
5. The concept of holy water or blessed water is similar in both of their monasteries.
6. They make use of prayer beads or rosary beads for chanting and prayer.
7. They offer food or mass for the dead. They respect dead in the same fashion.

Why are there similarities

1. Both Buddhism and Catholicism began at the same time. Right when Catholicism was gaining a lead in India, Buddhism was spreading in China.
2. Both Buddhism and Catholicism gained political power at the same time. Buddhism gripped China when Christianity gripped Rome & France. Both of these powers were political in nature and were backed by these religions in the respective countries.
3. The idea of rewards of paradise is the same for both Buddhist and Catholic Christian monasteries.
4. The idea of saints is common to both Buddhists and Catholic Christians. They are revered in both the monasteries and a lot of importance is placed in their remembrance and invocation.
5. The vow of celibacy stands true for both the religions and hence is a striking contributor to the similarities between the two monasteries.