Did Jesus and Gautama Buddha preach a similar message?

by fulltimestudent 8 Replies latest jw friends

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  fulltimestudent

  There are many similarities in the stories attached to both the Buddha (the one born in Lumbini, Nepal) and Jesus, even though Buddha lived in the 6th C/BCE and Jesus In the 1st C/CE. This video compares some aspects of their teachings.

  The text attached to the video states:

  If Jesus and Buddha were to meet, they would recognize one another as fellow prophets because they were teaching the same truths.

  1.Both stayed in the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights and were tempted by evil, Jesus by Satan and Buddha by the demon Mara and his daughters.

  2.Jesus's original teachings promoted peace and turning the other cheek, passive resistance rather than armed insurrection. Marcus Borg, a Christian and Jesus scholar, focuses on this basic aspect of Christianity by selecting a range of quotations from the Gospels and pairing them with parallel sayings by the Buddha. For example, whereas Jesus said, 'Blessed are the poor, for yours is the kingdom of God,' Buddha said, 'Let us live most happily, possessing nothing; let us feed on joy, like the radiant gods.' It is surprising, to a reader familiar only with the Bible, to find how similar the words of the two religious leaders actually are.

  3.When we compare two ancient spiritual traditions like Buddhism and Christianity, what we see is a striking similarity between the narratives of the founding masters: in the case of Christianity, Jesus Christ, and in the case of Buddhism, the Buddha. I see a very important parallel: in the very lives of the [founders] the essence of their teachings is demonstrated. For example... the essence of the Buddha's teaching is embodied in the Four Noble Truths: the truth of suffering, the truth of the origin of suffering, the truth of the cessation of suffering, and the truth of the path leading to this cessation. These Four Noble Truths are very explicitly and clearly exemplified in the life of... the Buddha himself.

  I feel [it] is the same with the life of Christ. If you look at the life of Jesus, you will see all the essential practices and teachings of Christianity exemplified. And in the lives of both Jesus Christ and the Buddha, it is only through hardship, dedication and commitment, and by standing firm on one's principles that one can grow spiritually and attain liberation. That seems to be a central and common message.

  Apart from that, there are few similarities, apart from living a simple life.

  4. Buddha searched for the way. Jesus said "I am the Way"
  Buddha searched for the truth. Jesus said "I am the Truth".
  Buddha searched for a reason for living. Jesus said "I am the Life. No one comes to the Father, except by way of me." JOhn 14:6
  
  5.Both claim royal descent;

  6.Celestial bodiest announced the birth of both;

  7. Both were tempted by the devil;

  8. Both experienced supernatural events after the devil left;

  9. Both were said to know the thoughts of others;

  10.Both healed blind men and claimed that the affliction was due to a previous sin;

  11.Both required desciples to renounce worldly possessions;

  12.Both had a disciple who walked on water.

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6XNO6Jv3q0
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  Syme

  Of course there are a lot similarities.

  Mind as well the supernatural similarities with Mithras, Horus, Attis and other 'gods' of the time, such as the "Virgin birth", birth in the winter solistice and, of course, resurrection.

  As for the moral teachings, a historical person with striking resemblance in their teachings is Socrates, who died 400 years before Jesus was born. It's worth a look.

  I used to believe that the gospel of Matthew ALONE was a PROOF of the Bible's divinity! I thought that no other human EVER, could possibly think of the incredible teachings that were laid there. That was before I looked at the same (but OLDER, and maybe superior) teachings of men like Buddha and Socrates. And I'm sure there are other teachers as well with similar teachings that I'm not yet familiar with.

  It's hard for a religious introctrinated person to look objectively at the life of his 'god' in a historical context, but it's more beneficial than ignorance.
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  cofty

  Marking.

  I doubt if Jesus said anything original.
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  jonahstourguide

  It seems to me that a lot of this is simply the fair ground renovation.

  Same merry go round same horses new coat of paint for now and round we go.

  Until a new circus is found or rolls into town,,,, some still do in Oz.

  jtg,,,,, oh yes siree I'm doin me homework !
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  John_Mann

  Buddha was just one source of the Jesus myth. You can see some buddhist views in the gospels like the kingdom of heavens being inside everyone and another ones.
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  John_Mann

  There's not a single thing original in Jesus, nothing. His life and teachings are just a veneer upon ancient myths. The only originality is the very mixed up of a huge amount of others myths. I can't think in a bigger mythical frankenstein monster.
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  metatron

  I think one of the strongest similarities is in the mystical union celebrated between the founders and their disciples, as with 'you are the Buddha' and 'you are the body of Christ'.

  metatron
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  John_Mann

  Probably Jesus went to desert to meditate and not pray. If you read the account it's very strange to think in prayers but the things go easy when you think in meditation (and hallucinations).
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  DS211

  Marked