Similarities of Christ and Buddha Teachings
http://www.blissful-wisdom.com/similarities-of-christ-and-buddha-teachings.html
In Eastern philosophy it is often alluded to that this life is nothing but an 'illusion' within the Divine. It is a Divine 'drama' or a divine 'play'. The individuals who are lost in the illusion, believe they are 'separate' from the Divine Creator, when in fact nothing can be separate from the One Almighty Creator. Some individuals 'transcend' the illusion of separation and come to know their essential nature as Divine, while most of us are overshadowed by this Divine drama called life and believe in separation. This belief in a separate self is termed (ego). Thus comes the never-ending drive to placate and fulfill the 'self' or ego, which of course can never be fulfilled because a 'self' separate from the Divine is an illusion.
Freedom, or real fulfillment, comes in dropping the illusion of the 'self' altogether. Maybe this is what Christ meant by his reference to 'the Kingdom of Heaven within'. When Divine love fills the heart to overflowing each moment, the illusions arising from self-interest fall away. Maybe that is what Christ meant when he stated: 'Ye also are sons of God'. Each of us, also, are embodiments of the Divine, yet to awaken. On the other hand, Buddha-hood is where the racing mind is transcended, and a spacious, attentive, alertness is permanently present. Thus it is said: "The essence of Buddha-hood lies within and behind each moment." Were Christ and Buddha speaking of a Kingdom of Knowingness that lies within and behind each moment....and that anyone may awaken to?
I like to often imagine that God is within and behind each moment. Or, in other words, the Divine is silently and peacefully present amidst this heavenly/horrific drama that is ever unfolding.
I was recently sent this short video clip of an interview with 'Amma' or 'Mother':
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=lV6J7eOC-K0#!
The message this woman Mahatma teaches seems to be right in line with the message of Buddha (compassion in action) and the message of Christ (love thy neighbor). When an individual begins to share his wealth, talents, time, and energy in ways that compassionately assist those around him, then the 'self-interest' or 'egoism' begins to fall away. As compassion and kindheartedness extend into daily life-experiences, the former greed and selfishness falls away.
An internet acquaintance sent me a sad description of the fear and wrath found in the Old Testament. My friend is a believer in Christ, yet he questions the biblical writings and how they are often used by 'organized religion' to misguide the 'flock'.
http://www.evilbible.com/Murder.htm
Here is a quote:
"The act of murder is rampant in the Bible. In much of the Bible, especially the Old Testament, there are laws that command that people be killed for absurd reasons such as working on the Sabbath, being gay, cursing your parents, or not being a virgin on your wedding night. In addition to these crazy and immoral laws, there are plenty of examples of God's irrationality by his direct killing of many people for reasons that defy any rational explanation such as killing children who make fun of bald people, and the killing of a man who tried to keep the ark of God from falling during transport. There are also countless examples of mass murders commanded by God, including the murder of women, infants, and children.
The following passages are a very small percentage of the total passages approving of murder in the Bible. They are divided here into three parts: 1) Capital Punishment Crimes, 2) God's Murders for Stupid Reasons, 3) Murdering Children, and 4) Miscellaneous Murders. This list is long, but it barely scratches the surface of all the murders approved of in the Bible."
Personal comments:
Coming to terms with the 'love thy neighbor' teachings of Christ encourages the view that the teachings of Christ have more in common with the teachings of Buddha (compassion and mindfulness), than the fear and wrath demonstrated by the God of the Old Testament (an eye for an eye).
http://www.blissful-wisdom.com/similarities-of-christ-and-buddha-teachings.html
In Eastern philosophy it is often alluded to that this life is nothing but an 'illusion' within the Divine. It is a Divine 'drama' or a divine 'play'. The individuals who are lost in the illusion, believe they are 'separate' from the Divine Creator, when in fact nothing can be separate from the One Almighty Creator. Some individuals 'transcend' the illusion of separation and come to know their essential nature as Divine, while most of us are overshadowed by this Divine drama called life and believe in separation. This belief in a separate self is termed (ego). Thus comes the never-ending drive to placate and fulfill the 'self' or ego, which of course can never be fulfilled because a 'self' separate from the Divine is an illusion.
Freedom, or real fulfillment, comes in dropping the illusion of the 'self' altogether. Maybe this is what Christ meant by his reference to 'the Kingdom of Heaven within'. When Divine love fills the heart to overflowing each moment, the illusions arising from self-interest fall away. Maybe that is what Christ meant when he stated: 'Ye also are sons of God'. Each of us, also, are embodiments of the Divine, yet to awaken. On the other hand, Buddha-hood is where the racing mind is transcended, and a spacious, attentive, alertness is permanently present. Thus it is said: "The essence of Buddha-hood lies within and behind each moment." Were Christ and Buddha speaking of a Kingdom of Knowingness that lies within and behind each moment....and that anyone may awaken to?
I like to often imagine that God is within and behind each moment. Or, in other words, the Divine is silently and peacefully present amidst this heavenly/horrific drama that is ever unfolding.
I was recently sent this short video clip of an interview with 'Amma' or 'Mother':
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=lV6J7eOC-K0#!
The message this woman Mahatma teaches seems to be right in line with the message of Buddha (compassion in action) and the message of Christ (love thy neighbor). When an individual begins to share his wealth, talents, time, and energy in ways that compassionately assist those around him, then the 'self-interest' or 'egoism' begins to fall away. As compassion and kindheartedness extend into daily life-experiences, the former greed and selfishness falls away.
An internet acquaintance sent me a sad description of the fear and wrath found in the Old Testament. My friend is a believer in Christ, yet he questions the biblical writings and how they are often used by 'organized religion' to misguide the 'flock'.
http://www.evilbible.com/Murder.htm
Here is a quote:
"The act of murder is rampant in the Bible. In much of the Bible, especially the Old Testament, there are laws that command that people be killed for absurd reasons such as working on the Sabbath, being gay, cursing your parents, or not being a virgin on your wedding night. In addition to these crazy and immoral laws, there are plenty of examples of God's irrationality by his direct killing of many people for reasons that defy any rational explanation such as killing children who make fun of bald people, and the killing of a man who tried to keep the ark of God from falling during transport. There are also countless examples of mass murders commanded by God, including the murder of women, infants, and children.
The following passages are a very small percentage of the total passages approving of murder in the Bible. They are divided here into three parts: 1) Capital Punishment Crimes, 2) God's Murders for Stupid Reasons, 3) Murdering Children, and 4) Miscellaneous Murders. This list is long, but it barely scratches the surface of all the murders approved of in the Bible."
Personal comments:
Coming to terms with the 'love thy neighbor' teachings of Christ encourages the view that the teachings of Christ have more in common with the teachings of Buddha (compassion and mindfulness), than the fear and wrath demonstrated by the God of the Old Testament (an eye for an eye).
