In my recent blogs, I mentioned several similarities between the writing of St Teresa of Avila and Buddhism. Now as I prepare to celebrate Christmas once again, I thought it appropriate to list some of the many similarities I have noticed between Jesus of Nazareth and Gautama the Buddha. I find this life-giving because I believe Truth is always larger than the words and stories we use to express our faith.
Both Jesus and Gautama came from a royal lineage. Gautama's father was king Śuddhodana and Jesus belonged to the royal line of King David. While both men gave up any claim to their royal titles, later traditions have remembered them. Early in their lives, around the age of 30, both men experienced a significant awakening. One so profound it permanently changed the direction of their life. For Buddha it occurred under the Bo (or Bodhi) tree; for Jesus, it was while being baptised by his cousin John the Baptist and confirmed for him during his solitude in the wilderness. Both men began their public ministry soon after their 'awakening' which led to separate renewal movements within their religion.
We find a similarity again in both Jesus and Gautama's ethical teachings. For example, both teachers shared similar wisdom on how people could recentre themselves and experience inner liberation. One that provided them with a new way of being, seeing, and living. Both taught a similar subversive wisdom that challenged the conventional ways of thinking and believing. One that invited us to live more compassionately towards all of life; of letting go of one's ego. For example, Jesus saying:"If anyone wants to follow me, let them deny themselves, take up their cross and follow me"relates closely to Buddha's teaching on"Non -clinging awareness". And both understood the evidence of this inner transformation will result in a more compassionate lifestyle, even towards one's enemies.
Both used parallel concepts such as 'dying to self'' and 'new birth' (Jesus), or 'letting go' and 'awakening' (Buddha). Both understood that this new ethic would involve living life open-handedly; dependent upon the generosity of others; and would help them to understand their interconnection with all life, as well as their human vulnerability and dependency on others.
Neither teacher wrote down a single word, but both used a similar method of teaching that included many comparable images and metaphors as they sought to transform society by changing the heart and mind of their followers. For example, in 1894 Paul Carus published over fifty Gospel parallels with the Buddhist stories and sutras.1 More recently Marcus Borg laid out 100 such parallel sayings taken from a wide range of Buddhist texts and the Christian Gospels.2
While neither teacher wished to found a new religion, they both gave rise to a new religion – Buddhism and Christianity. And both religions soon regard their respective founder as a human-divine being, expressed in similar mythic or metaphoric stories, such as the place and nature of their virgin birth; the visitation of royal witnesses; their amazing childhood wisdom; being tempted by a devil at the beginning of their ministries which was accompanied by miracles.
Gautama and Jesus also have their differences that include three pivotal differences between their teachings. While both saw the established religious systems were failing, Jesus worked within his religious tradition; he was born and died a Jew. While Gautama used a similar vocabulary to the Hindus, he chose to work outside the Hindu cast system and also denied its relevance towards reaching salvation. Nor did Gautama ever commented on the existence of God. For him, salvation is gained through right teaching, right understanding and right action as spelt our in the Eight-Fold Path.
I find it easier to summarize Gautama's teaching as found in the Four Noble Truths and Eight Fold Path. Perhaps that is because Gautama taught for almost 50 years compared to Jesus' 1-3 year ministry. However, in many ways, the Jesus of history was a much more radical social prophet than the Buddha. This was the primary reason he was crucified. He challenged the political and religious leaders of his day to the point where he could no longer be ignored. However, little did his opponents realise they had started a fire they could never quench.
Kia mau te rongo me te pai ki a koe i to haerenga
May you find peace and goodwill on your journey.
Phil
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1. The Gospel of Buddha, Compiled from Ancient Sources. Available at http://www.mountainman.com.au/buddha/.
2. Jesus & Buddha: The Parallel Sayings, CA: Ulysses. 2004
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