This book was borrowed from the library a few days ago. I would
like to share them with fellow Buddhists and interested
parties.
Excerpts from the Editor's Preface (Marcus Borg):
...As a Christian, I have lived with Jesus all of my life. I
have not lived with the Buddha. In adulthood, I have become a
non-exclusivist Christian. It seems clear that "the sacred"
has been known in all of the makor religious traditions, and I do
not think that Christianity is the only adequate religion, even
though it is my "home".
Thus I write as a Jesus scholar and a devoted but
non-exclusivist Christian. Buddhists might see matters
differently, and I know that some Christians would. But the
cumulative product of my thinking and experience is the conclusion
that Jesus and the Buddha are the two most remarkable religious
figures who have ever lived.
Moreover, there are striking similarities between them. I
have sometimes said that if the Buddha and Jesus were to meet,
neither would try to convert the other - not because they would
regard such an effort as hopeless, but because they would recognise
one another.
...As a Christian, there was a time when I thought
Christianity was the only way - the only true religion. It was part
of the inherited belief of my childhood. There came a time when
this belief crumbled, and all religions looked like human
interventions. The disappearance of my belief in the uniqueness of
Christianity was accompanied by a skepticism about religions in
general.
In more recent years, my appreciation of religious pluralism -
my acquaintance with a number of the world's religions, and my
studies of religious experience across cultures - has reversed that
skepticism.
The parallels among the religions (especially at the level of
experience and teaching about "the way", though not very much at
the level of doctrine) suggest that there is something here worth
taking seriously.
In short, seeing the parallels between the wisdom teaching of
Jesus and the Buddha adds to the credibility of both. Acceptance of
religious pluralism need not generate skepticism, but can provide
grounds for saying, "Here is something I must not ignore".
And so I invite you to ponder the parallels between these two
enlightened teachers of an enlightenment wisdom. The path of which they both speak is a
path of liberation from our anxious grasping, resurrection into a
new way of being, and transformation into the compassionate
life.
Some parallel sayings on Compassion:
The chapter introduction says this - 'Most striking of all the parallels
between Jesus and Buddha are those dealing with love. Both teachers
invoke the Golden Rule of treating others as you want them to treat
you.'
JESUS
Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those
who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. From anyone who takes
away your coat, do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone
who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask
for them again.
LUKE 6.27-30
BUDDHA
Hatreds do 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, over the liar by truth.
DHAMMAPADA 1.5 & 17.3
JESUS
Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
JOHN 1.17
BUDDHA
The body of the Buddha is born of love, patience, gentleness,
and truth.
VIMALAKIRTINIRDESHA SUTRA 2
JESUS
I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God
over one sinner who repents.
LUKE 15.10
BUDDHA
The bodhisattva loves all living beings as if each were his only
child.
VIMALAKIRTINIRDESHA SUTRA 5
The problem lies not in expounding love , but the practising of
it. Mindfulness is called for in all instances. However, I
appreciate your noble intentions.