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Would Jesus and Buddha be Friends ?
Posted by acousticguitarist • 10/01/09 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: jesus and buddha best buddies
I've benn thinking, if Jesus and Buddha met on the road would they be friendly to each other
User Comments
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Jesus would rub Buddha's belly-
since he "feasted and drank," he probably had one of his own
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Yes. Isn't Buddha supposed to be tolerant of all other religions? And Jesus is not allowed to be judgmental. -
Of course. Jesus is love itself, and Buddha is patience itself and a warm spirit. Impatience, a dead heart and hate are the only things that can turn love away, so yes.-
wp
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Yes, and Buddha would convert Jesus.-
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The Shakamuni Buddha taught hundreds of years before Jesus even walked the streets of Palestine. Jesus knew how to meditate -- it's opposite is "cogitate".
Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason, experience and your own common sense. -- Shakyamuni Buddha -
Meditation's probably older then Buddha. Further, it was not a tremendous focus of his ministry - it's barely mentioned, and Christianity's more similar to Hinduism and Taoism anyways (except that unlike both of these it's individualistic.) Most of the "similarities" with Buddhism are universal attributes common to nearly all religions.
EDIT: I also looked up "cogitate" and in fact, Jesus reccomends that you do that with tremendous aspects of your life, a good share of "pennance" and "remove the plank from thine own eye" are made up of that. If it is as antithetical as you say to meditation, which it probably isn't as it is defined as "meditating deeply and intently", you have indeed found your antithesis. -
Jeremy
(1) Who claimed that meditation did not precede Buddha's teaching? I did NOT make such a claim, so what the heck are you on about?
(2) I am taking a lengthy break from communicating with you in forum threads on any kind. Please respect that decision of mine by no longer directing any comments whatsoever to me.
Thanks, in advance, for listening.
EDIT: This decision is based on my observations your repeated misinterpretations of what others say in forum threads, and your relentless evangelizing. -
I'm merely saying that it is not that large a shred of evidence. That's all.
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@TT: Sounds fun. I'll talk without her responding!
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No, seriously TT, you can't segregate a public forum, which is essentially what you're asking for. You post it in public, I will respond to it in public just as I would any other poster. Only difference is, I'm talking to THEM now. You have the right not to respond, and you have every right to block my shouts, but that is the only thing you can block.
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Comment Removed By The Community -
What a stupid reason to do that. Point me to the section of the Community Guidelines where it says "do not respond to TT's comments."
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Good point...I do not know much about Buddha but I am pretty sure Jesus was inclusive, tolerant and kind hearted and certainly not arrogant...
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"...can't segregate..."
confederate flag...
*reflects on the irony* -
@Agit8r: It's about tradition, history, and standing up for what's right, not segregation, at least for me and I believe most people who fly this flag. But don't you dare reply to this or we'll sidetrack the thread.
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Definate yes - and I bet they would have more in common beliefs-wise than some would imagine.... -
The teachings of Jesus and the teachings of Buddha do not deviate. Subtract the Christian reinterpretation of the Tanakh which were used to manufacture a case for Jesus as being God, etc. and all the dogma and doctrine and the teachings are the same.
* dana = authentic generosity (charitable giving of the self and sharing of possessions, donation)
* metta = selfless love and good will toward all beings (loving kindness)
* karuna = compassion (respect, acceptance, forgiveness)
* mudita = altruistic joy filled with peace and contentment (appreciative joy at the success and good fortune of others)
* sila = abstaining from physical and vocal actions that cause harm to oneself and others
* uppekka = equanimity (an inclusive state of open mind free of attachment, aversion, bigotry, craving, ignorance and intolerance)-
Except that Jesus also taught the importance of the individual, and of effectively being yourself ("Salt of the Earth") hence the fact that there is NO reincarnation in Christianity, making it fundamentally different in it's view of the human being and the universe. Further, he taught an idea of progress ("The kingdom of heaven is within you") and a "kingdom" over men that is fundamentally different form the "personal enlightenment" of Buddha, far more extraverted. He also taught, in the place of self-destruction and a buddhist idea of blissful ahnillation, self-perfection and making yourself a temple of God. These "common teachings" that you speak of are indeed common to all religions that have survived to the 21st century in decent number, perhaps because they are "common sense." He would more likely be a follower of Krishna.
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"He also taught, in the place of self-destruction and a buddhist idea of blissful ahnillation, self-perfection and making yourself a temple of God"
HE said that? or are you thinking of Paul? -
@Agit8r: If anything, Paul tried to suppress that message and turn Christianity in to a cult of obedience. Unsurprising, considering his background (former Pharisee).
For starters:
"Love thy neighbor as thyself." Further, the very idea of two superseding great commandments that can be interpreted out to all the others indicates that cogitation, as TT put it, is indeed the way to go.
Also, "You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt loses its flavor, how then can it be seasoned?"
Also in the entire sermon of the valedictory (Matthew 23-24) which starts out essentially telling you to trust your own eyes and not be constantly looking for signs like some kind of practicioner of dark arts, then goes on to speak of honorable behavior, utilizing what you have by your own ability as supposed to direct commandment from God or a kind of religulous stupidity, also goes on to wisdom and preparation for not only otherworldly but pragmatic aspects as well (parable of the virgins and the lamps,") and finally the sheeps and the goats, where you are told of a way of serving Christ.
But beyond these, "blasphemy against the holy spirit" (Mark 3, Luke 17, Matthew 17, John 5) and the story that accompanies it is about how if you sufficiently blacken your heart, God cannot reach you. This is, in context, because God will, absolutely no matter what, destroy who you are for any purpose, even your salvation.
Christ also complied to a reasonable level with human traditions, and showed respect for law and existing authority except where the level of corruption had simply become too high to be worthy of preserving (compare Christ and the legalistic, conservative, and generally benevolent Pontius with Christ and the Pharisees.)
Christ made it quite plain that the Torah is in the same Spirit as him, and everyone he would be speaking to (Jews) would've had a fairly good understanding of the Torah as in that society you were required to have it nearly memorized by the age of 13, and all customs and practices were based off of it. The Torah also, when put in the context of Christs words, comes quite clean in this message.
Paul tried to take Christianity AWAY from this message. That's what his whole "body of Christ" shenanigan was about, or the way that he tried to discourage outside interpretation of scriptures. -
I meant that "the body is a temple" is a metaphor used in the epistles, not by Jesus himself.
Actually the bit about "cleaning the inside of the cup" would seem to be to the contrary (at least in the sense it is used in the epistles) -
@agit8r: I wasn't talking about your body as a temple. I was talking about you as a temple, which is how Christ uses it and the "cleaning of the inside of the dish" goes right along with that. You don't clean a dish to destroy it, you clean it to remove the grime that what was not original to the dish. Fundamentally different view of human beings.
The salt of the earth idea goes completely against Buddha's ideas, as it is essentially saying that there is something essential about an individual that can be lost. It also is not the focus of Christ's ministry that the idea you are talking about (nirvana) is to Buddha's.
In any case, trying to figure out the gospel from individual passages, and especially within the Torah, is a fools errand. I'm sorry I brought it up. -
"I'm sorry i brought it up"
yays! -
I'm saying I'm sorry I brought it up because the thread's getting sidetracked. Now it's time to kick your little gnome ***!
Argue back immediately:
How can you reconcile a view where there is no reincarnation and the basic essence of individuals must in fact be preserved for heaven to be entered, and "I come not to bring peace but a Sword," with the Buddhist ideals? -
coordinated brazillian soccer shirt and soviet weaponry... now THAT's Americkin!
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There are actually confederates in Brazil, BTW. They have an annual festival.
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now THAT is screwed
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No, they ran away from the South after the Civil War. Also, did you ever notice all those oddly placed Confederate Flags in the Seattle area?
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lol!! that's a funny one.I think Buddah was Jesus friend. Note "was" because Buddha died and, who knows how many more times his been killed according to his belief of reincarnation. Who knows how many times this reincarnation occurs anyway lol! and he don't have the power to reincarnate himself anyway hehe. But in the teachings of Jesus, it is written that He rose from the dead back into that " Glorified Body" and went to heaven. then comes the question... who knows,knew or believe the other exist lol! or If they even communicate. I think that Jesus loved Buddha like he said he loves everyone, Buddha talked about his love the same, and If Jesus teachings are true, then Buddha would be sent to hell if he had not followed them, and if Buddha's teachings were true, then Jesus would be an animal right now. I don't think Buddha wuld think being tossed in Hell a friendly act so He wuld not want to be Jesus's friend and Jesus would not stand seeing Himself as an animal since He raises Himself supreme. Jesus himself said that He is proud. Funny -
Yes! They're both wise man. Maybe they have same beliefs.-
they do have some different beliefs. read timethief replies
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Yes, especially when on the road they joined efforts in helping a half-dead man victimized by robbers ... -
Yup,jesus loves everybody -
yes there is no reason why they should not be friends.
Even though now we fight base on our religion, raise, culture but that is not supported by any of their teachings. Unfortunately the things are changed since then now theres a feeling that everyone hate each other for some reason. -
Question: Would Jesus and Buddha be Friends ?
Answer: They are both enlightened beings so you know my answer to that question. -
I know it,everybody is out for themselves
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I think they hailed from the same neighborhood. So yeah, they would be buds.
They probably had many good laughs together. -
Ya never know
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Absolutely! -
Jesus is down with everyone. They'd probably go to Central Park and feed the extremely touchy pigeons and get chased by them when they run out of bread. -
Jesus was a Buddhist himself and trained in a Buddhist monastery ..
Similar is Sai Baba-
which Sai Baba?
Shirdi, Sathya or the future Prema -
How dare you even consider the others? Lay off the duplicate and fakes
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I'm not sure which one you are talking about, Shirdi?
I have a very nice book on him
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Jesus and Buddha are both somewhere laughing together at this thread.-
For once I have to agree with you. Of course they'd be friends! You don't have to perfectly agree on every little thing to be friends with each other. Me and NothingProfound are great buddies - he's an atheist liberal and I'm a Christian and a libertarianish populist.
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It's like that kiddish bruceleee vs jackie chan debate, but whatever!
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Yes, although they'd eventually come to blows over the choice of restaurant when they get together for dinner. Plus, there would be a fight over who should pick up the check. -
@Acoustic
You pose an interesting question. In my heart I believe that there is one essence of the divine, but that human societies gain access or knowledge of that divine nature through different means.
So, I agree with Theresa's comment that "they're from the same neighborhood".
My guess is, they already know one another as one knows oneself.
Thanks for your (as always) thoughtful question. -
I think they could if they could find something in common. At first I thought, if you could just get them out in a boat fishing. We know that Jesus hung out with fishermen. But then I thought, Buddha would probably take the side of the worm, and the fish, too. Maybe if they used cheese bait, barbless hooks, and Jesus promised to release any fish He caught, like Buddha no doubt would. Of course, Buddha's going to warn about the bad Karma of even pulling the fish out of the water..... Darn, I'm gonna have to think more about this. -
both of them are the same person-
Good point. Has anyone ever seen the two of them together? No! Suspicious, don't you think?
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I'm more interested in my friends here on BC than in Jesus or Buddha.-
Certainly then Buddha.
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“Friendship” falls in three general idea. First : “Friendship is essential”. It is essential for our well-being in this world, but true friendship, which is alone is lasting only exists when it is inspired and welded together by God. Second : “Friendship pre-supposes love”. It is a meeting of hearts and mutual sharing of burdens in the likeness of what Jesus did for us. Third : “Friendship is characterized by confidence and frankness”. Its broadest interpretation is to be extended to ALL, believers or non-believers alike. Friendship obliges one to speak up, it also obliges the other to be willing to accept the friends effort to help, painful though this maybe at times.
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They are the same. Wise advise to help others, not themselves. Different aspects of the same truth.-
"Help others and not yourselves" is a pretty superficial statement in and of itself. For starters, you have to decide what that even means. You also have to decide, when there is a conflict between several others, who should get it first, those you have ties of loyalty to or those in authority and what kind of authority, or whether you should have absolute fairness. You have to figure out which is worth more, justice and personal growth, or compassion and personal warmth, or honesty and personal trust. And when it comes to ideas, progress, and shaking the earth to its core, when should you leave well enough alone? When do the ends justify the means, and when do they not? And when should you lie to save face or prevent someone from being offended, and when should you stand up for someone else against an oppressor, knowing full well that there is a cost either way?
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hmm..lemme look at their face-book and orkut accounts.
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that's funny
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They would if they could, but they can't, so they won't!-
I'm not sure I agree with you there...
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and why is that?
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if both these guys were functioning outside of time, which I think is implied in their teachings, they could.
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Agreed as I said above both are enlightened beings, hence, time is not of the essence.
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I think all the attention paid to these two personages is pretty silly. I think Jesus and Buddha would find it pretty silly, too.
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They'd find the question silly anyways, but I think Christ would believe that not only he, the Son of Man, but humanity in general should receive more attention. As for Buddha, he'd expect it. I'm not sure if he'd appreciate it but he wouldn't be surprised.
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I think if Jesus could see all the fuss made over him, he'd run and hide.
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but wed find him
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Actually no, he'd take us in like little children. He's kind of an extravert, and he's big enough for all of us.
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Sorcerer has a good point up there. Are we talking "friends" in the social networking sense (i.e. anybody you can find to make your public profile look popular) or in the sense of, y'know, people who actually enjoy spending time together? -
Remember that if you meet Buddha on the road, you should kill him. That's all I'm sayin.-
Another way of making the point I was trying to make.
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