Author Topic: Asia (Read 1372 times)

Kephapaulos · « **on:** January 22, 2007, 10:41:53 PM »

How much has the Church actually influenced Asia? It seems some can mistakenly think the Catholic religion is something only European culturally, but how could argue against that if the West has been influenced more by the Church than the Far East? Is Asia just too much tied to its Eastern religions including Buddhism and Hinduism? Could some elements of Confucianism be properly used by Catholics of the Far East though in Catholic theological and philosophyical study like how Plato and Aristotle were used in the West?

Matthew · « **Reply #1 on:** January 22, 2007, 11:17:26 PM »

I can't give you a source, but "they say" that China (probably referring to pre-Communist China) has kept the Primitive Revelation the most intact of all peoples.

The Primitive Revelation is what God infused into Adam & Eve. Over time, it was corrupted by Original Sin, and the devil's direct dealings with men (setting up false religions, etc.)

Keep in mind that all of Europe did NOT keep more of it -- they were the barbarians, remember? The European heritage is Christendom -- which is the New Testament revelation from Jesus Christ. The same peoples who were most enlightened because of Christ were in utter darkness before His coming.

The Chinese have accupuncture, astronomy, science, etc. and their philosophy is interesting as well. The Yin/Yang is very similar to St. Thomas and the Scholastics teaching of Matter/Form.

Matthew

CampeadorShin · « **Reply #2 on:** January 22, 2007, 11:57:24 PM »

St Francis Xavier is a good source on converting the Eastern Pagans.

PinoyMonk · « **Reply #3 on:** January 23, 2007, 09:37:22 AM »

Quote from: ChantCd

The Chinese have accupuncture, astronomy, science, etc. and their philosophy is interesting as well. The Yin/Yang is very similar to St. Thomas and the Scholastics teaching of Matter/Form.

Matthew,

Although I hate to be disagreeable, I've always heard the reverse, about all of these Chinese 'arts' being quite 'pagan,' unlike what you have illustrated above. When others have pointed out that the "energy" concepts established in ancient China are backed by modern scientists, many Catholics point out that we are rarely trusting "science" these days.

Being that I have Asian ancestry, a lot of these things (acupuncture, qi/ki, etc.) are part and parcel of the cultural upbringing. When I converted to Catholicism though, I began to frown upon a lot of these "cultural" bits. Perhaps you could give me some more backing as to why I shouldn't dismiss it all completely? I feel like this post has turned into a bit of an attack on your words, but please don't take it that way. I'm honestly just trying to understand all of this. Please help me to understand!

Pinoy Monk

PinoyMonk · « **Reply #4 on:** January 29, 2007, 10:57:03 AM »

Hopefully, I don't come off as a pest, but does anyone else want to try to answer my question? I'm quite curious about this and am wishing that somebody could me some answers...

Thanks,

Pinoy Monk

gilbertgea · « **Reply #5 on:** January 31, 2007, 11:58:32 AM »

I'm here. Just busier than usual with mundane concerns.

Re: The East. I'm not part of it, so I dont, generally, care much about it. Call me provincial, or small-minded, etc. I dont wish them any ill; I'm just not that interested in the Eastern peoples, their religions, their culture, or their civilisation which is, frankly, completely alien to ours.

(Well, okay, I think the Samurai/Bushido-thing is pretty neat...)

That said, I have heard (and I cant remember where) that the SSPX in Southeast Asia is producing a lot of vocations.

PinoyMonk · « **Reply #6 on:** February 25, 2007, 08:48:47 PM »

Hey all,

I found something of interest that may be an example of the "philosophy" that ChantCD mentioned above. There are two quotes that I'd like to share. Both come from a Shaolin master.

Here's the first about respecting parents:

Quote

Be kind and filial to your parents, even if they seem unreasonable at times. You and other young people may find it hard to believe, but having your parents living with you is one of the most blessed things that can ever happened to you.

Secondly, talk of charity:

Quote

Be charitable to others, including strangers. It is a mistake to think that one can be charitable only if he or she is materially rich. Charity starts from the heart and is expressed in actions. If you can be tolerant to your friends when they irritate you, or help a child in need even if it involves some trouble, you would have been charitable.

Enjoy these! ^.^

Pinoy Monk

Kephapaulos · « **Reply #7 on:** February 25, 2007, 09:49:03 PM »

Well, good things can be found in every culture. The Catholic Church simply baptizes those things and makes them even better what they were before, or utilizes them since they can help foster the Catholic faith and are not heretical or erroneous in and of themselves.

CampeadorShin · « **Reply #8 on:** February 26, 2007, 04:57:52 PM »

When Saint Patrick went to Ireland, he used the shamrock to explain the Trinity. I think with each culture, we can see some (but certainly not all) of the Universality of the Faith left to us by Christ.

I'm curious, can you provide an example of something you no longer thought was ok after you converted?

PinoyMonk · « **Reply #9 on:** February 26, 2007, 08:23:08 PM »

An example? How 'bout a lot of the "energy healing" type of stuff that seems to be rather prevalent? Even though I'm not Japanese, I've had people recommend that I look into reiki and other such silliness...

>.<

That is not to say that I ever went to see a reiki practitioner or anything of the sort, but I didn't frown upon such things like I do now. Well, reiki always seemed a bit nutty, but that's just one rather blatant example.

Kephapaulos · « **Reply #10 on:** February 26, 2007, 09:24:43 PM »

Well, would some of what Confucius' sayings be, I imagine, useful in expressing the natural moral law and helping to express the divine law in terms the Chinese could understand?

PinoyMonk · « **Reply #11 on:** February 27, 2007, 11:04:48 PM »

Such as?

Catholic Samurai · « **Reply #12 on:** May 28, 2007, 02:32:55 AM »

:nunchaku: :duel: :boxer:
Anything Asian is usualy looked down upon by traditional catholics, especially in my parish. Even Asian herbal medicine is frowned upon! Though things such as acupuncture, reiki, and trancendental meditation are things to be thrown away we should not throw away the honey with the poison as St.Ambrose says. In this case its dont throw out the jasmine tea out with the tofu!

I dont know if you like tofu or not but as for me :barf:!

The honey I see in Asian culture is the colorfull art and architecture, the sweet serene music, the mortifying martial arts (believe me taekwon-do is good penance) and the near christian philosophy that they follow. The products of Asian culture can easily be reconciled with catholicism. For example the catholic samurai of Japan in the late 16th and early17th centuries still followed the samurai code of 'Bushido' with the exception of ritual ѕυιcιdє after defeat in battle and fighting duels for face instead of honor.