Jesus’ teachings as textual copy of Buddha’s (6)

03 Apr, 2016 - 00:04 0 Views
Jesus’ teachings as textual copy of Buddha’s (6) Sunday Mail

The Sunday Mail

WE have for the past five weeks shown the numerous similarities between the teachings of the mythical Greek Iesous (commonly known as “Jesus”) as recorded in Christian Greek Scriptures with those of Siddhartha Gautama, also known as the Buddha (the Enlightened One).

This week we have the last article in the series to show that there was nothing new in the purported teachings of Iesous (Jesus) as surviving in the Gospels.

Legacy handmaidens

Buddhist tradition states that shortly after the passing away of the Buddha, five hundred of his disciples met in council at Rajagaha for the purpose of recalling to mind the truths they had heard directly from their hero during the forty-five years of his teachings.

Saul/Paul says the same thing in 1 Corinthians 15:6. “After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.”

Love as virtue

“I am telling you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on the cheek, offer your other cheek as well. If anyone grabs your coat, let him have your shirt as well.

Give to anyone who asks, and if someone takes away your belongings, do not ask to have them back. As you want people to treat you, do the same to them.

Hostility is never conquered by hostility in this world; hostility is conquered by love.

That is the Eternal Law.” (The Dhammapada 1:5 and Udanavarga 14:12. The Udanavarga is an early Buddhist collection of topically organised chapters of aphoristic verses or “utterances” attributed to the Buddha and his disciples.)

“Surmount hatred by not hating, surmount evil with good; Surmount greed through generosity, surmount lies with truth; speak what is true . . .” (Gandhari Dharmaphada 280-281 and Udanavarga 33:45-46.)

“But I say to you, do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also.” (Matthew 5:39 and Luke 6:29)

Hypocritical judgement

The faults of the others are more easily seen than one’s own. They are more easily seen because they are winnowed like chaff in the wind, but one’s own failings are difficult to see. It is like a cheat concealing his own dice while showing his opponent’s, drawing attention to the other’s inadequacies and constantly thinking of bringing accusations against him. Such a man is far from seeing what is right, and very much worsens his unfortunate lot. (Udanavarga 27:1 and The Dhammapada 18:18)

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:1-5 and Luke 6:37,41-42.)

Know thyself

To anyone who leaves behind this world without having recognised his own real world, that is of as little use as the Veda he has not studied or some work he has avoided. (Brihad-Aranyaka-Upanishad.)

Jesus said: “He who would know everything, but fails to know himself misses the knowledge of everything.” (The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas #67)

Relate with what is close to you

“Let go of the past, let go of the future, let go of the present, and cross over to the farther shore of existence. With mind wholly liberated, you shall come no more to birth and death.” (The Dhammapada 24:348)

“You shouldn’t chase after the past or place expectations on the future. What is past is left behind. The future is as yet unreached. Whatever quality is present you clearly see right there, right there.” (BhaddekarattaSutta of the Majjhima Nikaya)

“Know what is before your face, and what is hidden from you will be revealed to you. For nothing hidden will fail to be revealed!” (The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas #5)

Avoid being boastful

Those monks are immature who seek prestige, doing their best to gain influence and admiration . . . these monks who are puffed up and boastful, insisting on their own point of view, only increase their pride and passion. (Kevaddha Sutta)

This is related with Luke 20:46-47.

Be authentic

No monk is a true monk who has not first purified the mind. Those who were the saffron robes, but lack the honesty and self-control are not worthy of wearing the saffron robes. (The Dhammapada)

This is related with Matthew 6:1-4.

References:

Ernest De Bunsen, “The Angel-Messiah of Buddhist, Essenes and Christians” (1880)

Elmar R Gruber and Holger Kersten, “The Original Jesus: The Buddhist Sources of Christianity” (1995)

Richard Hooper, “Jesus, Buddha, Krishna, And Lao Tzu: The Parallel Sayings” (2007)

“Jesus and Buddha — Friends in Forever” (2012) <http://inspiringthealtruisticmoment.com/blog/?p=12626>

 

Feedback: [email protected] and Twitter @shingaiRndoro. A gallery of previous articles is found at www.sundaymail.co.zw/author/shingairukwata

 

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