Buddha and Jesus: Could Solomon Be the Missing Link? (39 page)
Read Buddha and Jesus: Could Solomon Be the Missing Link? Online
Authors: R. E. Sherman
Jesus lived in a patriarchal society where women were regarded as chattel. The Gospels contain many examples of Jesus respecting and caring for women in a way that was revolutionary for his day.
Apart from his twelve disciples, some of his closest followers were women:
After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.
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In addition, Mary Magdalene was the first person to whom Jesus appeared after his resurrection.
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Jesus willingly risked his reputation by choosing to publicly minister to women of dubious reputation.
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He healed women who sought healing for themselves
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or others.
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He also raised a woman from the dead
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and raised a man from the dead at the plea of a group of women.
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He also honored poor women who donated what little they had.
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It is unfortunate that in spite of Christ’s example, Christianity has not been immune to sexism.
In an article published in the
Bangkok Post,
Mettanando Bhikkhu, a Thai Buddhist monk, concluded that, in spite of quite extensive evidence that Buddhism throughout history has discriminated against women, that “the Lord Buddha…was not a sexist.”
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The background provided by this article is highly informative. However, I have not quoted other excerpts from it because of my stated goal of trying to view Buddhism in a positive, objective light.
If ethics was all that mattered, then one could simultaneously be both a Buddhist and a Christian. However, for anyone seeking a deeper identification with either religion, each of the differences between Buddhism and Christianity delineated in this chapter would be sources of considerable tension and likely disagreement. True reconciliation between the two would be quite problematic.
Given these dramatic differences, sincere efforts to follow both religions simultaneously are not feasible. If they are true to their beliefs, however, both Buddhists and Christians should treat one another as the Golden Rule would dictate: as each would prefer to be treated themselves—with mutual respect, empathy, and compassion.
In the next chapter, which provides answers to frequently asked questions, there is some discussion of the ways that liberal Christians differ from Buddhists.
While both religions teach love and compassion for those with different beliefs, these ideals can, in practice, be difficult to achieve, given the substantial differences between Buddhism and Christianity. What typically occurs is avoidance of contact and dialogue. Cooperation is even more rare. Buddhist/Christian dialogue, collaborative projects, and cooperative efforts to reach common goals should all be pursued in a spirit of deepening understanding between the two groups.
There is so much to cover when comparing Buddhism and Christianity. In this chapter we cover a wide range of key topics by means of a question-and-answer format. In doing so, we will look at: (1) a broad range of similarities and differences beyond those highlighted the two previous chapters, (2) what Christians and Buddhists could stand to learn from the other, (3) the nature of major divisions within each religion, (4) how each religion struggles with the stubborn blight of hypocrisy, and (5) the feasibility of trying to be some kind of Buddhist and some type of Christian at the same time.
Q: What elements of Christianity are similar to Buddhism’s Four Noble Truths and Noble Eightfold Path?
The Four Noble Truths | Counterparts in Christianity |
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Life is suffering. | “In the world you will have tribulation . . .” |
The origin of suffering is desire. | Do not covet (wanting what others have). |
Ceasing to desire will end suffering. | Coveting naturally produces suffering. However, many kinds of suffering are not the result of desire (e.g., cancer, accidents). |
The Noble Eightfold Path will lead to a cessation of suffering. | See next chart. |
The Noble Eightfold Path | Counterparts in Christianity |
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Right View: | See previous chart. |
Right Intention: | Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” |
Right Speech: | Do not lie or bear false witness. He who calls his brother a fool is a murderer of him in his heart. “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen |
Right Action: | Do not hurt other people. Do not steal. Abstain from sexual misconduct. |
Right Livelihood: | “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” |
Right Effort: | “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” |
Right Mindfulness: | “And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” |
Right Concentration: | “No one can serve two masters.” But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” |