Freethought & Rationalism Archive

05-08-2001, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dr wu:
Comparing Jesus to Buddha is well...problematic. They are from diverse cultures. Jesus of course was a Jew and was seen as a Rabbi by his own disciples. He even said that he did not come to change The Law(referring to Jewish Law) but to fulfill it. His approach to truth/enligtenment was from a background of monotheism and God.
Buddha on the other hand was from Hindu/vedic tradition which saw the universe as an ongoing cycle of birth and rebirth in relation to multiple deities that were patially if not wholly representational and symboloic.
There are of course similarities in ideas since 'goodness' is an essence of an 'enlightened being'.
To say one is more enlightened than the other is to miss the point entirely.

namaste,

Thank you.

Namaste

05-08-2001, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ensign Morituri:
It was my understanding that a Bodhisattva is one who has attained enlightenment, but who forgoes Nirvana so as to help others escape Samsara.

You're right there !
Thanks for pointing out the mistake - its been years since I last study Buddhism.

05-08-2001, 04:35 PM

Actually, dr wu, Jesus Christ attempted to have it both ways about the Law -- he claimed to completely uphold the Law of Moses in every detail, while also revoking the parts that he disliked, such as "a <body part> for a <body part>" and not working on the Sabbath no matter what.

The Buddha might have done the same sort of thing with the Vedas, but he did not.

05-08-2001, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lpetrich:
Actually, dr wu, Jesus Christ attempted to have it both ways about the Law -- he claimed to completely uphold the Law of Moses in every detail, while also revoking the parts that he disliked, such as "a <body part> for a <body part>" and not working on the Sabbath no matter what.

The Buddha might have done the same sort of thing with the Vedas, but he did not.

You are correct, he did follow Law but also changes ones he thought were 'bad'.
The Vedas though are not Law in the same sense that Jewish Law is. They are more akin to comments on the nature of our relation to the universe and how to be enlightened and how to live in that understanding.
I don't think Buddha was anti-Vedas but more pro non-attachment to a particular dogma.

namaste,

05-16-2001, 05:09 AM

On the subject of the Jesus/Buddha comparison: read ye this:

What Did Jesus Really Say?

[This message has been edited by devnet (edited May 16, 2001).]

05-16-2001, 08:35 AM

Jesus and Buddha comparisons have always been made and there are many similarities but if Jesus had spent time in India I do not believe he would have left. Why not stay and be a source of spiritual radiance for those in India? Many more people lived there than in the 'Holy Land'.
I think it more likely that when we reach certain levels of understanding or enlightenment the cultural differences fall away and we are revealed as one and the same.
This has been spoken of by many spiritual beings throughout history. Our differences are only superficial, for we are all 'Buddhas' and 'Christs'.

namaste,

05-16-2001, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dr wu:
but if Jesus had spent time in India I do not believe he would have left. Why not stay and be a source of spiritual radiance for those in India? Many more people lived there than in the 'Holy Land'.

Yes, but there were many more gurus in India than in the Holyland. The Holyland was wallowing in ignorance while India had many guides. Look how those monotheist fools still believe in a God who is separate from his creation! That isn't an Infinite God anymore, so it makes them idolaters...

Quote:

I think it more likely that when we reach certain levels of understanding or enlightenment the cultural differences fall away and we are revealed as one and the same.
This has been spoken of by many spiritual beings throughout history. Our differences are only superficial, for we are all 'Buddhas' and 'Christs'.

namaste,

Ah, Tat Tvam Asi, right? I don't quite agree. My opinion on the subject is a paraphrase on the joke from "Life of Brian": we're all different except for me; I'm the same.

dhanyabad,

05-19-2001, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by devnet:
Ah, Tat Tvam Asi, right? I don't quite agree. My opinion on the subject is a paraphrase on the joke from "Life of Brian": we're all different except for me; I'm the same.

dhanyabad,

LOL...well you just don't get IT.

'Blessed are the Cheese Makers."

05-20-2001, 08:25 AM

Since my 'name' comes from a Steely Dan tune here is a jaded look at Bodhisattvas.....not that I agree of course....

BODHISATTVA

Bodhisattva
Would you take me by the hand
Bodhisattva
Would you take me by the hand
Can you show me
The shine of your Japan
The sparkle of your china
Can you show me
Bodhisattva

Bodhisattva
I'm gonna sell my house in town
Bodhisattva
I'm gonna sell my house in town
And I'll be there
To shine in your Japan
To sparkle in your China
Yes I'll be there
Bodhisattva

'Where will you go for IT if you don't get IT from yourself?' zen saying....

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05-08-2001, 04:35 PM	#13
Guest Posts: n/a	Actually, dr wu, Jesus Christ attempted to have it both ways about the Law -- he claimed to completely uphold the Law of Moses in every detail, while also revoking the parts that he disliked, such as "a <body part> for a <body part>" and not working on the Sabbath no matter what. The Buddha might have done the same sort of thing with the Vedas, but he did not.

05-16-2001, 05:09 AM	#15
Guest Posts: n/a	On the subject of the Jesus/Buddha comparison: read ye this: What Did Jesus Really Say? [This message has been edited by devnet (edited May 16, 2001).]

05-16-2001, 08:35 AM	#16
Guest Posts: n/a	Jesus and Buddha comparisons have always been made and there are many similarities but if Jesus had spent time in India I do not believe he would have left. Why not stay and be a source of spiritual radiance for those in India? Many more people lived there than in the 'Holy Land'. I think it more likely that when we reach certain levels of understanding or enlightenment the cultural differences fall away and we are revealed as one and the same. This has been spoken of by many spiritual beings throughout history. Our differences are only superficial, for we are all 'Buddhas' and 'Christs'. namaste,

05-20-2001, 08:25 AM	#19
Guest Posts: n/a	Since my 'name' comes from a Steely Dan tune here is a jaded look at Bodhisattvas.....not that I agree of course.... BODHISATTVA Bodhisattva Would you take me by the hand Bodhisattva Would you take me by the hand Can you show me The shine of your Japan The sparkle of your china Can you show me Bodhisattva Bodhisattva I'm gonna sell my house in town Bodhisattva I'm gonna sell my house in town And I'll be there To shine in your Japan To sparkle in your China Yes I'll be there Bodhisattva 'Where will you go for IT if you don't get IT from yourself?' zen saying....

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