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PicarddataSolo

New Member
Recently have read about Buddhism and notice some similarities and differences between Christianity and Buddhism. One is love which is one of the fruits of spirit in Galatians and includes love for one enemies. Jesus said to pray for one's enemies and bless them. Also when asked greatest commandment Jesus responded with love God with all heart and soul and love thy neighbor in Matthew. Jesus also said to overcome evil with good in Romans. Buddha agreed saying ''Hatred does not ever cease in this world by hating, but by love; this is an eternal truth... Overcome anger by love, overcome evil by good, overcome the miser by giving, overcome the liar by truth."Buddha also said ''Even if thieves carve you limb from limb with a double-handed saw, if you make your mind hostile you are not following my teaching''. Both also say golden rule with Buddha saying "Hurt not others with that which pains yourself." and Jesus saying in Matthew “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the prophets ''
The Parallels of Jesus and Buddha. - Posts from the Path
Golden rule quotes from various religions
More comparisons between Buddha and Jesus are listed at
Buddha-Christ.info: Jesus and Buddha: Numerous Similarities

One major difference is old testament. Old testament laws like death penalty for violating Sabbath differ from Buddhism. Stories like everyone down to infants being killed after Jericho fell also violate Buddhism. Leaders in old testament like Moses and David differ from Buddhism; with 3,000 people killed in the Golden Calf story and David killing women in raids.

Morals is one of the three aspects of eight foldpath. It consists of right actions,right speech, and right livelihood. Wrong actions are killing,lying,steal,misuse of sex, and ill use of intoxicants. Another difference is Karma along with birth rebirth cycle, for example a compassionate person is born long lived while one that kills living beings is born short lived in next life. Full explanation of karma at link below.
Karma
Buddha explained to escape from cycle from birth and rebirth;and suffering from life one must realize the 4 noble truths and follow 8 fold path. Interesting the bible does state a mindset similar to nirvana where there is no suffering in revelations 21:4 God
''will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Another difference is Buddhism is considered to have stronger relationship with science. For example Buddha had a precursor to scientific method; saying ''Come Kalamas. Do not believe something because you hear it frequently; nor because people have always done it that way; nor upon rumour; nor upon what is in a scripture; nor upon incomplete evidence; nor upon what is obvious; nor upon clever, but wrong reasoning; nor upon something that accords with your pet ideas; nor upon another's impressive ability; nor because your teacher says so. Kalamas, when you yourselves know: "These things are bad; these things are blameable; these things are censured by the wise then do not follow these principles. They will not help you. Abandon them! But when, Kalamas, you yourselves know: 'These things are good; these things are not blameable; these things are praised by the wise; If you follow these teachings, they lead to benefit and happiness. So follow them and practice them''. He also said ''"Like testing gold , upon being scorched, cut and rubbed, My word is to be adopted by monastics and scholars
Upon analyzing it well, Not out of respect [for me]". This is from Doubt and Scepticism
Link to full explanation of Buddhism.
Thoughts on Buddhism Contents

Is there a way to blend the two? Would one way be ignoring most of old testament and following the teachings of Jesus and new testament which reflect the 8 fold path;along with Dhrama which are teachings of the Buddha.
 

David T

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Thank you. Will have to check it out. Interesting quote by him is ''When you are a truly happy Christian, you are also a Buddhist. And vice versa''.
Cant go wrong with Thich. HeHwas introduced to the west by Thomas Merton.
 

PicarddataSolo

New Member
Cant go wrong with Thich. HeHwas introduced to the west by Thomas Merton.
Thank you for recommendation. Read the book. The introduction was done by religious scholar Elaine Pagels who mentioned the gospel of Thomas which haven't heard of before. It was found by an Egyptian peasant in 1945. Interesting the text is very Buddhist; for example saying in verse 3''Jesus said, "If those who lead you say to you, 'See, the kingdom is in the sky,' then the birds of the sky will precede you. If they say to you, 'It is in the sea,' then the fish will precede you. Rather, the kingdom is inside of you, and it is outside of you. When you come to know yourselves, then you will become known, and you will realize that it is you who are the sons of the living father. But if you will not know yourselves, you dwell in poverty and it is you who are that poverty."
Full gospel of Thomas at
Gospel of Thomas (Lambdin Translation) -- The Nag Hammadi Library
 

Twilight Hue

Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
Recently have read about Buddhism and notice some similarities and differences between Christianity and Buddhism. One is love which is one of the fruits of spirit in Galatians and includes love for one enemies. Jesus said to pray for one's enemies and bless them. Also when asked greatest commandment Jesus responded with love God with all heart and soul and love thy neighbor in Matthew. Jesus also said to overcome evil with good in Romans. Buddha agreed saying ''Hatred does not ever cease in this world by hating, but by love; this is an eternal truth... Overcome anger by love, overcome evil by good, overcome the miser by giving, overcome the liar by truth."Buddha also said ''Even if thieves carve you limb from limb with a double-handed saw, if you make your mind hostile you are not following my teaching''. Both also say golden rule with Buddha saying "Hurt not others with that which pains yourself." and Jesus saying in Matthew “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the prophets ''
The Parallels of Jesus and Buddha. - Posts from the Path
Golden rule quotes from various religions
More comparisons between Buddha and Jesus are listed at
Buddha-Christ.info: Jesus and Buddha: Numerous Similarities

One major difference is old testament. Old testament laws like death penalty for violating Sabbath differ from Buddhism. Stories like everyone down to infants being killed after Jericho fell also violate Buddhism. Leaders in old testament like Moses and David differ from Buddhism; with 3,000 people killed in the Golden Calf story and David killing women in raids.

Morals is one of the three aspects of eight foldpath. It consists of right actions,right speech, and right livelihood. Wrong actions are killing,lying,steal,misuse of sex, and ill use of intoxicants. Another difference is Karma along with birth rebirth cycle, for example a compassionate person is born long lived while one that kills living beings is born short lived in next life. Full explanation of karma at link below.
Karma
Buddha explained to escape from cycle from birth and rebirth;and suffering from life one must realize the 4 noble truths and follow 8 fold path. Interesting the bible does state a mindset similar to nirvana where there is no suffering in revelations 21:4 God
''will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Another difference is Buddhism is considered to have stronger relationship with science. For example Buddha had a precursor to scientific method; saying ''Come Kalamas. Do not believe something because you hear it frequently; nor because people have always done it that way; nor upon rumour; nor upon what is in a scripture; nor upon incomplete evidence; nor upon what is obvious; nor upon clever, but wrong reasoning; nor upon something that accords with your pet ideas; nor upon another's impressive ability; nor because your teacher says so. Kalamas, when you yourselves know: "These things are bad; these things are blameable; these things are censured by the wise then do not follow these principles. They will not help you. Abandon them! But when, Kalamas, you yourselves know: 'These things are good; these things are not blameable; these things are praised by the wise; If you follow these teachings, they lead to benefit and happiness. So follow them and practice them''. He also said ''"Like testing gold , upon being scorched, cut and rubbed, My word is to be adopted by monastics and scholars
Upon analyzing it well, Not out of respect [for me]". This is from Doubt and Scepticism
Link to full explanation of Buddhism.
Thoughts on Buddhism Contents

Is there a way to blend the two? Would one way be ignoring most of old testament and following the teachings of Jesus and new testament which reflect the 8 fold path;along with Dhrama which are teachings of the Buddha.
Christianity and Buddhism are two diametrically opposed religions with Christianity being a message of Salvation through Christ, and Buddhism employing a means of realization for which there is no salvation or saving to speak of. Buddhism will not save your soul or give you eternal life, nor will it provide you with a god that needs to be followed.

Christianity is in its essence a very selfish religion if you're reading into the narratives, for which it neither shares or condones any mixing of another religion into Christianity.

Buddhism is very open, many branches, many schools, hence the flowering of the Dharma in many ways.

While both share fundamental aspects like organized structure , Buddhism could be arguably compatible in the sense that you could incorporate a holistic approach that could fit into another religion but that would limit the effectiveness of Buddhist practices if you were to go "deeper" but I suppose in my own opinion that wouldn't matter anyways givin the nature of emptiness.

I don't think Christianity would be so accommodating of having another religion become co-equal as it were, nor would too many Christians willingly share another religion on par formally as that would suggest that Christianity is insufficient and inadequate requiring the help of another religion.

Most Christians I know of would try to steer you away from other religions other than their own saying something to the effect that God would not advocate another religion for its adherents.
 

David T

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Thank you for recommendation. Read the book. The introduction was done by religious scholar Elaine Pagels who mentioned the gospel of Thomas which haven't heard of before. It was found by an Egyptian peasant in 1945. Interesting the text is very Buddhist; for example saying in verse 3''Jesus said, "If those who lead you say to you, 'See, the kingdom is in the sky,' then the birds of the sky will precede you. If they say to you, 'It is in the sea,' then the fish will precede you. Rather, the kingdom is inside of you, and it is outside of you. When you come to know yourselves, then you will become known, and you will realize that it is you who are the sons of the living father. But if you will not know yourselves, you dwell in poverty and it is you who are that poverty."
Full gospel of Thomas at
Gospel of Thomas (Lambdin Translation) -- The Nag Hammadi Library
So goes buddha so goes jesus. I could say" in order to understand god, one must understand nature. In order to understand nature, one must understand god. To split that, is to negate that. To negate that is to not understand that."

That i think the above is extremely consistent with buddhism and the christian story. Both are extremely grounded in nature. Neither are about originality, but are both about origins. The christian story is hyper messy, one almost needs buddhism to even approach it if you have grown up in this culture. I would say thats psychologically Ironic.

The Christian story entails more than just jesus. We have 2 women as integral. So we have 3 people, for whom the story pivots upon. That element does not exist at the conscious level today. Therefore, thats where we are today in context to that story. If I am right, mary and mary become important, if i am wrong, it simply is a wrong understanding on my part is all. I don't, we don't, determine the future we arrive at the future and look back. "through all things, by all things, of all things" one singular movement one reality, lived through all.
 

David T

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
So goes buddha so goes jesus. I could say" in order to understand god, one must understand nature. In order to understand nature, one must understand god. To split that, is to negate that. To negate that is to not understand that."

That i think the above is extremely consistent with buddhism and the christian story. Both are extremely grounded in nature. Neither are about originality, but are both about origins. The christian story is hyper messy, one almost needs buddhism to even approach it if you have grown up in this culture. I would say thats psychologically Ironic.

The Christian story entails more than just jesus. We have 2 women as integral. So we have 3 people, for whom the story pivots upon. That element does not exist at the conscious level today. Therefore, thats where we are today in context to that story. If I am right, mary and mary become important, if i am wrong, it simply is a wrong understanding on my part is all. I don't, we don't, determine the future we arrive at the future and look back. "through all things, by all things, of all things" one singular movement one reality, lived through all.


Women as the very old genisis story goes got us into this mess, therefore women are going lead us out of this mess. My concern always is squarely focused on the landscape we are aliens to our home our home has been rendered house and it to modern eyes is dead. We live in a dead house dead sun dead air dead cosmos dead dirt all is dead. Buddha failed in his attempt to enlighten himself, in his failure his finger touched the earth, and wham, buddha became buddha the dead, became alive.
 

whirlingmerc

Well-Known Member
Recently have read about Buddhism and notice some similarities and differences between Christianity and Buddhism. One is love which is one of the fruits of spirit in Galatians and includes love for one enemies. Jesus said to pray for one's enemies and bless them. Also when asked greatest commandment Jesus responded with love God with all heart and soul and love thy neighbor in Matthew. Jesus also said to overcome evil with good in Romans. Buddha agreed saying ''Hatred does not ever cease in this world by hating, but by love; this is an eternal truth... Overcome anger by love, overcome evil by good, overcome the miser by giving, overcome the liar by truth."Buddha also said ''Even if thieves carve you limb from limb with a double-handed saw, if you make your mind hostile you are not following my teaching''. Both also say golden rule with Buddha saying "Hurt not others with that which pains yourself." and Jesus saying in Matthew “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the prophets ''
The Parallels of Jesus and Buddha. - Posts from the Path
Golden rule quotes from various religions
More comparisons between Buddha and Jesus are listed at
Buddha-Christ.info: Jesus and Buddha: Numerous Similarities

One major difference is old testament. Old testament laws like death penalty for violating Sabbath differ from Buddhism. Stories like everyone down to infants being killed after Jericho fell also violate Buddhism. Leaders in old testament like Moses and David differ from Buddhism; with 3,000 people killed in the Golden Calf story and David killing women in raids.

Morals is one of the three aspects of eight foldpath. It consists of right actions,right speech, and right livelihood. Wrong actions are killing,lying,steal,misuse of sex, and ill use of intoxicants. Another difference is Karma along with birth rebirth cycle, for example a compassionate person is born long lived while one that kills living beings is born short lived in next life. Full explanation of karma at link below.
Karma
Buddha explained to escape from cycle from birth and rebirth;and suffering from life one must realize the 4 noble truths and follow 8 fold path. Interesting the bible does state a mindset similar to nirvana where there is no suffering in revelations 21:4 God
''will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Another difference is Buddhism is considered to have stronger relationship with science. For example Buddha had a precursor to scientific method; saying ''Come Kalamas. Do not believe something because you hear it frequently; nor because people have always done it that way; nor upon rumour; nor upon what is in a scripture; nor upon incomplete evidence; nor upon what is obvious; nor upon clever, but wrong reasoning; nor upon something that accords with your pet ideas; nor upon another's impressive ability; nor because your teacher says so. Kalamas, when you yourselves know: "These things are bad; these things are blameable; these things are censured by the wise then do not follow these principles. They will not help you. Abandon them! But when, Kalamas, you yourselves know: 'These things are good; these things are not blameable; these things are praised by the wise; If you follow these teachings, they lead to benefit and happiness. So follow them and practice them''. He also said ''"Like testing gold , upon being scorched, cut and rubbed, My word is to be adopted by monastics and scholars
Upon analyzing it well, Not out of respect [for me]". This is from Doubt and Scepticism
Link to full explanation of Buddhism.
Thoughts on Buddhism Contents

Is there a way to blend the two? Would one way be ignoring most of old testament and following the teachings of Jesus and new testament which reflect the 8 fold path;along with Dhrama which are teachings of the Buddha.

Christianity is not merely a gospel of morals, it isn't merely a do this and this book but it starts with 'it has been done'
 

GreenpeaceRECo-operative

Darwin and others missed George Fox of the Quakers
Christianity and Buddhism are two diametrically opposed religions with Christianity being a message of Salvation through Christ, and Buddhism employing a means of realization for which there is no salvation or saving to speak of. Buddhism will not save your soul or give you eternal life, nor will it provide you with a god that needs to be followed.

Christianity is in its essence a very selfish religion if you're reading into the narratives, for which it neither shares or condones any mixing of another religion into Christianity.

Buddhism is very open, many branches, many schools, hence the flowering of the Dharma in many ways.

While both share fundamental aspects like organized structure , Buddhism could be arguably compatible in the sense that you could incorporate a holistic approach that could fit into another religion but that would limit the effectiveness of Buddhist practices if you were to go "deeper" but I suppose in my own opinion that wouldn't matter anyways givin the nature of emptiness.

I don't think Christianity would be so accommodating of having another religion become co-equal as it were, nor would too many Christians willingly share another religion on par formally as that would suggest that Christianity is insufficient and inadequate requiring the help of another religion.

Most Christians I know of would try to steer you away from other religions other than their own saying something to the effect that God would not advocate another religion for its adherents.


I agree with your interpretation of many Christians´ attitudes. However, I think their denominations, or the categories of their denominations, are important to refer to. The Freedom of Religion or Not innovated in US government, and later in the UN Universal Dec of Human Rights are what I interpret as essential meta-Christian innovations in Jesus´ legacy culture. I found Unitarian Universalism years ago, and immediately took on the general encouragement of its articulated value of support for individual spiritual paths within its membership. Now I understand better that UUism was founded by the merger of two former Christian denominations. As someone who acknowledged the Tao as my first preferred concept of God, and then proceeded on an interfaith spiritual search that combined with my intellectual interests in Science and the Social Sciences, and Therapeutic Psychology, I now consider myself an interfaith humanist Christian UU. Another applicable term is a theist Freethinker. As such, I see that modern society provides the resources for doctrinal Christians to open their minds, hearts, and souls to Jesus´ unrecognized and surrounding legacy, modern Freedom of Religion or Not. As far as the related practice and concept of secularization is concerned, that also becomes relevant, of course.
 

sayak83

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
Christianity is not merely a gospel of morals, it isn't merely a do this and this book but it starts with 'it has been done'
Actually it does not. It's starts at Genesis 1.
Buddhism does start with "the way out of suffering has been found."
 

PD Poole

May all beings be free from suffering!
Actually it does not. It's starts at Genesis 1.
Buddhism does start with "the way out of suffering has been found."
The Buddha said many times that his role was to show us the way out of suffering, ‘One thing and one thing only do I teach, suffering and how to end suffering’ (Majjhima Nikaya 1. 140). Once a monk approached him and insisted he answer questions about the origins and extent of the universe and other speculative matters. The Buddha refused, saying that humanity was like a man pierced by a poison arrow and that the good physician’s role was to remove this arrow, not to tell the afflicted man what type of wood the arrow was made from, what type of feather was used for the flight or the biography of the man who shot it. He then said, ‘And why do I not answer all your questions? Because they are not useful, they do not help in living the holy life, they do not lead to turning away, to dispassion, to stilling, to peace to higher knowledge or to Nibbana. And what do I teach? Suffering, its cause, its transcendence and the way leading to its transcendence. And why do I teach this? Because it is useful, it helps in living the holy life, it leads to turning away, to dispassion, to stilling, to peace, to higher knowledge and to Nibbana’ (Majjhima Nikaya 1.431).
  1. Dukkha (suffering)
  2. Samudaya (suffering has a cause)
  3. Nirodha (suffering can be ceased)
  4. Magga (the way is The Noble Eightfold Middle Path) I hope that I have clarified things a tiny bit....May all beings be free from suffering!
 

whirlingmerc

Well-Known Member
The Buddha said many times that his role was to show us the way out of suffering, ‘One thing and one thing only do I teach, suffering and how to end suffering’ (Majjhima Nikaya 1. 140). Once a monk approached him and insisted he answer questions about the origins and extent of the universe and other speculative matters. The Buddha refused, saying that humanity was like a man pierced by a poison arrow and that the good physician’s role was to remove this arrow, not to tell the afflicted man what type of wood the arrow was made from, what type of feather was used for the flight or the biography of the man who shot it. He then said, ‘And why do I not answer all your questions? Because they are not useful, they do not help in living the holy life, they do not lead to turning away, to dispassion, to stilling, to peace to higher knowledge or to Nibbana. And what do I teach? Suffering, its cause, its transcendence and the way leading to its transcendence. And why do I teach this? Because it is useful, it helps in living the holy life, it leads to turning away, to dispassion, to stilling, to peace, to higher knowledge and to Nibbana’ (Majjhima Nikaya 1.431).
  1. Dukkha (suffering)
  2. Samudaya (suffering has a cause)
  3. Nirodha (suffering can be ceased)
  4. Magga (the way is The Noble Eightfold Middle Path) I hope that I have clarified things a tiny bit....May all beings be free from suffering!
There was be some simlarities, but at the root some differences as well.

Jesus dying to redeem believers, redeeming the unlovely to make that part of the marriage supper of the lamb, that would be different. The power is coming from and through Jesus not self
 
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