& Buddha Essay, Research Paper
Jesus & Buddha
Brett Schopen
Western Traditions 201
10/29/94
Disciple?: I have heard that you are two of the wisest men in the land and so I
have come to you in hopes of advise. I am scared for my future and for the
future of my newborn daughter. Can you tell me what is in store for us or
give me an assurance me that we will be all right? Jesus: Do not worry
about your life. Do not worry about food, drink, the body. Life is more than
these things. Believe in your heavenly Father. He knows what you need and will
provide you with it if you practice and have faith in his teachings. Strive for
the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be given to
you as well. Buddha: No. Comfort in the present and future must come from
inside the self , not from a God. In meditation you will find the truth of
life that will set you free from worry.
Don’t chase after the past,
Don’t seek the future;
The past is gone
The future hasn’t come
But see clearly on the spot
That object which is now,
While finding and living in
A still, unmoving state of mind.
This focus on the present is the beginning of the path to enlightenment
which is comfort through understanding. When you are able to keep your
mind focused on the present in a ?still, unmoving state of mind’ you have
reached enlightenment, where you will be beyond all emotion including
suffering and worry.
Jesus: That is not so. A search for the entire true of life can never make you
content in your life because you can never know everything there is. That
is for God alone to know. To enter the kingdom of heaven you must have
faith in our Father. You must trust in His wisdom even in hard times.
For to know all and understand all you would be a god. And putting
yourself on a platform with God is disrespectful and blasphemous. But if you
follow His laws your suffering will end in the hereafter.
Buddha: Truth is available to all people not just gods. For truth is in all
things in the universe. We only have to learn not to react with emotion to
see it. If you can master not reacting through meditation you will see the
true nature of the universe that lies behind the illusion of emotion. In this
truth you will see the cause and effect relationship of all things and
in that an order which will bring you understanding and comfort.
Disciple?: What are the truths and teachings you speak of?
Jesus: In everything do to others as you would have them do to you. Always
live by this rule and respect your Father and you will one day be
allowed to walk beside Him in the kingdom of heaven.
Buddha: In this we do not much differ. The most fundamental truth is to have
compassion for all creatures. Without this you can never end suffering .
“If a man foolishly does me wrong, I will return to him the protection of
my ungrudging love. In trying to cause another anguish you only hurt
yourself. A wicked man who spits at heaven spoils not the heaven, but
defiles himself when the spittle comes back on him.”
Disciple?: But how can I know who is right?
Jesus: You can know I speak the truth because I am our Father’s Son and I carry
his word. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed
are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be
filled. Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God.”
Disciple?: That seems fair. But if I believe in God I cannot be saved because I
have already gone against these without even knowing it.
Jesus: You can still be saved my son. For I am the Son of God and I am here to
heal you and absolve your sins.
Disciple?: You even have the power to cleanse my rotted leg?
Jesus: Yes I do. Be made clean!
Disciple?: OH MY?! My eyes deceive my mind! How can this be?!?
Jesus: The power of God my son.
Buddha: My dear boy do you not see that no matter what power he might have he
cannot truly free you from suffering? In your reaction to his healing
you started again the cycle that leads to suffering but he leaves you no way
to end it. Suffering is “any craving that is unsatisfied.” If you are never
allowed to find out how this can be, because you can’t question, you will
always suffer from your desire. To destroy this suffering you must free
the self from the thirst of desire. But you can never do that if you’re
eyes are fighting with your mind, if you are fighting with yourself. There is
an eight fold path which leads to the destruction of sorrow. Right
understanding1 and thought2, that lead to wisdom. Right speech3, action4,
and livelihood5, that lead to morality. Right effort6, minfulness7, and
concentration8, that lead to concentration. But accepting his power on faith
as unexplainable keeps you from the first step on the path, understanding. As
d oes reacting favorably to the laws he states because they “seem” fair. If
you react to them as fair and take them as true because “He” says so, you give
up your power to be enlightened in your search for the truth. Without that to
end your suffering you will go to his heaven with your desires numbed or
constantly filled, but never quenched, and you will never truly be happy
Disciple?: I am still thoroughly confused. Is there no definite answer!?
Buddha: Not that we can give you. It is a question of faith in what could be
or proof in what is.
Jesus: Whether you trust in yourself or in the Almighty.
Buddha: Whether you think comfort comes from the process of learning or simply
having the answer.
Jesus: It is a question of right and wrong.
Buddha: It is a question of what you know in your heart of hearts.
Disciple?: Thank you Jesus and Buddha. Although I am still deeply confused I
know that only I have the answer. So I will be off to find out who and
what, I believe.