Did Jesus Learn From Buddhists?

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Christina

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As seen in the Basic Points of Buddhism, one doctrine agreed upon by all branches of modern Buddhism is that "this world is not created and ruled by a God." {1} According to BuddhaNet, a major Buddhist website:There is no almighty God in Buddhism. There is no one to hand out rewards or punishments on a supposedly Judgement Day. Buddhism is strictly not a religion in the context of being a faith and worship owing allegiance to a supernatural being. {2} The Buddha himself rejected metaphysical speculation as a matter of principle, and his teachings focused entirely on the practical ways to end suffering. On the other hand, the Buddha did not explicitly rule out the existence of a God or gods, and very shortly after his death a devotional element formed within Buddhism. Stupas were built to contain relics of the Buddha and pilgrimmages were made to places where he had walked. Soon the idea of past and future Buddhas developed, with Maitreya, the Buddha yet to come, being especially important. In the Mahayana system, a variety of celestial Buddhas and bodhisatvas came to be revered and looked to for assistance on the path to enlightenment. Especially devotional is Pure Land Buddhism, a subdivision of Mahayana that began in China. Pure Land Buddhists revere and call on the name of the Amitabha Buddha, who will grant them entrance to the paradisical "Pure Land" after death. {3} As Buddhism spread into cultures with existing religious beliefs, it incorporated local deities and religious practices into the Buddhist system. For instance, in China, a popular boddhisatva became the female deity Kuan-yin, the giver of children. {4}Finally, Tibetan Buddhist cosmology features a "vast number of divine beings (each with its own family, consort, and pacific and terrifying aspects), which are considered symbolic representations of the psychic life by the religiously sophisticated and accepted as realities by the common people." {5} There are six realms of existence in the Tibetan cosmology, one of which is the realm of the gods. The gods enjoy the fruits of good karma in a paradise until their karma runs out and they are reborn in a lower realm. In fact, gods must be reborn as humans to attain enlightenment. {6}In view of the above factors, scholars and Buddhists alike tend to describe Buddhism as atheistic in the sense that it denies an eternal creator God {7}, while recognizing its theistic and devotional elements. The Encyclopedia Britannica explains, While the contemplative elite may deny the real existence of gods and demons together with the rest of phenomenal existence, the majority of Buddhists from the earliest times in India, and in other countries where Buddhism has spread, have never neglected indigenous religious beliefs. {8} As you can see all these beliefs are agaist Christianity so your answer is no
 

NuclearDruid

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It's not necessarily the beliefs that are similar. It's the philosophy that is very similar. It could be a possibility he got inspiration from it. But as I said before I don't fully know if I believe the documentary until I can get some more evidence.
 

Christina

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There have been many great teachers throught out history,and no doubt Budda was one of these. But from a christain standpoint we can not be christains and believe in anything except one God and that Christ is the ONLY way to salvation. Budda did not believe in God the religion is full of pagan beliefs adopted over the ages so of course we say its a false religion. You will have to share their reasoning with us after you see the show.
 

Bamp;#39;midbar

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Both systems address human suffering, but in fundamentally different ways. The fourfold path is not redemptive suffering and the cross. However, people are people, and so a moral system that works is going to work. It does not surprise me to see moral systems that look somewhat similar in two successful religions. I find it especially unsurprising that both systems recognize how riches/cares/attachments can affect life. As Christ said,
Mat 6:24 "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.
 

GetAgrippa

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This is a very interesting post...I have not seen any documentation or material to support this hypothesis, but it is quite possible that the Roman Piso family, the aristocratic/politic family responsible for the Gospels, could have certainly been influenced by the Buddhist systems and philosophy.Might be worth looking into the background of Calpernius Piso in particular to find links...specifically Asian travel documentation for the Piso family.The only thing that would seem out of place to support this is the mixture of Buddhist culture and the Roman 'theater culture' were two distant ways of life during this time. One thing seems clear to me though is the Egyptian influences on the Piso writings within the Gospels/Jesus stories. Of course it was 'rumored' Jesus was an understudy to the Egyptian mystics during his so-called 'missing years' (years 13-30) in the Bible....although this is simply rumored by those unaware of the Piso influence on the NT.:study:
 

Kirangel

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It's an interesting idea, the thought of Jesus going off to India. The video mentioned an ancient manuscript found in a Buddhist monastery in Tibet. It says that a boy named Issa from a poor family in Israel went to India at the age of 14 to learn the laws of Buddhism. He then later returned home at the age of 29.
 

betchevy

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Look at the words satan quoted to Christ during the time of the temptation.. its was the Word with a twist.. a lie is always more believable if it has a truth in it.... satan is not stupid.. and much of even the occult is based on a truth with a twist to his way of thinking.. there is also a tradition of Glastonbury that teaches Jesus went with Marys uncle Joseph, the tin man or the man who owned tin mines in Glastonbury, they sing songs of them and have pictures of them in a boat on the churches there. Babylon was the seat of false religion.. if you read in Enoch's teachings you will find the beginning of all religion other than the One God, Yod Hay Vav Hay...it can be found at http://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/boe/boe041.htm in fact many sacrd texts from all religions call be found here at this site..
 

Jordan

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Apr 6, 2007
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Are you kidding?(Title)
Did Jesus learn from Buddhists?
If (but not) Yahshua, who is God (John 1:1) learned from Buddhists (false teaching) can Yahshua still be God back then while believieng in a lie? I say unto ye, nay. He wouldn't be God if He did believe in that junk...and of course then I John 5:7 would be false.
 

Kirangel

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The idea that Jesus went to India is interesting and something that's worth looking into.@ thesuperjag, Junk? There is a lot of wisdom in Buddhist Philosophy.@ Betchevy, you accept the book of Enoch?
 

Christina

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There is no almighty God in Buddhism. There is no one to hand out rewards or punishments on a supposedly Judgement Day. Buddhism is strictly not a religion in the context of being a faith and worship owing allegiance to a supernatural being. {2} The Buddha himself rejected metaphysical speculation as a matter of principle, and his teachings focused entirely on the practical ways to ...................................This first paragraph taken from a buddist web site tells you the answer why would Christ have gone to India to learn and then taught exactly the oppisite' that there is an almighty God and their is a judgement day.Answer he didnt and yes we accept Enoch as a inspired writing to use for confirmation and clarifcation of things written in the bible. But we do not consider it scriptural.
 

Wakka

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Jun 4, 2007
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You've got to remember, that Buddhism was derived as an atheist religion from another one.
 

Jordan

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(kirangel)
@ thesuperjag, Junk? There is a lot of wisdom in Buddhist Philosophy.
First off it is literally junk. By junk, it is a Devil deception, to devour God's children.Revelation 15:3 - And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.Psalm 119:172 - My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.Lovest thou in Christ Jesus (Yahshua) our Lord and Saviour.
 

Kirangel

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Buddha taught many of the same things that Jesus did, so to call it junk would be the same as calling some of the ideas expressed by Jesus, Junk.
 

Jordan

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So you clearly saying that the Buddhists taught many same teaching that God teaches. Lord Jesus/Yahshua Christ is God everlasting. He has foreknowledge, not the buddhists.John 1:1-3 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.Lovest thou in Christ Jesus (Yahshua) our Lord and Saviour.
 

MickinEngland

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Although Buddha made good efforts to discover The Truth, he was nevertheless just a human like the rest of us, and his ideas were therefore just his own guesses, opinions and hunches, and sometimes wide of the mark.For example he believed it possible to be re-born out of hell.Huh, as if hell is fitted with a swing door..
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Jesus said:-"Then they will go away to eternal punishment,but the righteous to eternal life" (Matthew 25:46)So God had to send Jesus to set the record straight and overule all earlier belief systems including Buddhism. I mean, if Buddha and the other early mystics did a good job, Jesus wouldn't have had to be sent..
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And unlike Buddha, Jesus spoke only God's words - "For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me gave me a command, what I should say and what I should speak" (John 12:49) It's possible Jesus was familiar with the old Buddhist teachings, but remember he said John the baptist was the greatest man ever to be born, NOT Buddha or anybody else.(Matthew 11:11)Likewise, Buddha was possibly acquainted with the old Jewish scriptures in which a Messiah is foretold, and may have wished he could be around to see him.Perhaps Jesus referred to that when he said -"..many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which you see, and have not seen them, and to hear those things which you hear, and have not heard them" (Matthew 13:17)
 

BoranJarami

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Strictly speaking Buddhism takes no stance on the existance of God(s). This is why we often find a melding of local religion with Buddhism where ever Buddhism has had a foothold for a while (such as the mix between Shindo and Buddhism in Japan). Essentialy the Buddhist view is that whether or not there is a God doesn't matter, we have all we need within our selves for salvation from the suffereing of this world. This may differ, however, from sect to sect.There are some simularities in the teachings of Christ and the teachings of the Buddha. For example, they both teach (essentialy) that suffering is caused by giveing into our desires. They also teach that we can be saved bith from this suffering and from these desires. Some sects of Buddhism (such as Jodo Buddhism with it's messiah figure) are closer to our Christs tachings then others. The big difference is in their solutions. Buddhists seek salvation from the suffering of this world and the next (by next world I refer to liveing this one agian in reincarnation) through our own works (be it following the dharma or meditating, or what-not). Christ taught salvation from the suffering of the next world (hell) and comfort through the suffering of this one (by the Holy spirit) through receiveing the free gift of salvation from Christ.The similarities, however, do not mean that Jesus learned from Buddhists. Two people looking at a rock from two directions can agree on a few things about it. It just so happens that in this case one of the people could see the whole rock. On another note, I find it interesting that there were major changes in the Buddhist practices about the time that missionaries were spreading the gosple throughout India and China (about AD 100-300) Such as a change from an introverted religion to a religion of great public works and compassion.
 

Faithful

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Okay, I don't support this at all, but none-the-less an interesting documentary by BBC.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxhcWUSoE4YFeel free to post your thoughts on the topic, don't let this turn into a debate please. Just simple thoughts would be nice.
Psalm 37:11 (King James Version)11.But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.The falseness of what is being taught here can be easily shown for what it is by the word of God.Jesus taught from the Holy Scriptures and he never called or acknowledge anyone but Yhwh as God the Father. Before Abraham I am. Christ would of been lying if he was using the teachings of Buddha because his own mouth says, " Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." Jewish scriptures in the time of Moses. Deut 4:2.Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.Jesus would not of added anyone else teachings to his Father. Clearly the word teaches, God himself put his own words in the mouth of Jesus. Jesus had to speak only Gods words.Deuteronomy 18: 18-21. 18.I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. 19.And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him. 20.But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. 21.And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?Psalm 37:11 (King James Version)11.But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.The film said the teaching of the meek shall inherit the earth was not president in judaism but we find that very teaching in the psalms.Christ taught, That on his two commandments were summed up the teachings of the prophets and whole law. So clearly obedience to God is showing love for him and our neighbour. If we have a love of truth as Paul teaches 2 Thessalonians 2:10-11 (King James Version) 10.And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11.And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:.Christ was not taught by anyone but the Father and we know Christ had the Holy Spirit whom Jesus says leads us in all truth. John also in 1 John 2:27 (King James Version)27.But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.The apostles were taught by the Spirit of truth without going to a foreign country and Jesus himself said, " If I cast out demons by the power of the Holy Spirit then Kingdom of God has come near you." This story is just another form of blasphemy taking the power and glory away from God and man placing what is false above the true messiah and his Father God.Love Faithful.
 

celia

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(BoranJarami;15992)
Strictly speaking Buddhism takes no stance on the existance of God(s). This is why we often find a melding of local religion with Buddhism where ever Buddhism has had a foothold for a while (such as the mix between Shindo and Buddhism in Japan). Essentialy the Buddhist view is that whether or not there is a God doesn't matter, we have all we need within our selves for salvation from the suffereing of this world. On another note, I find it interesting that there were major changes in the Buddhist practices about the time that missionaries were spreading the gosple throughout India and China (about AD 100-300) Such as a change from an introverted religion to a religion of great public works and compassion.
Buddha was an Indian prince,he was a good man with earthly wisdom and he encouraged good works in this life so to 'earn' points for a good reincarnation into the next life perhaps to a 'higher' level.There are many sects of buddhism like zen and shintoism which is practise in Japan with their meditation.Then there is an evil form of buddhism which my sister told me where buddhists monks will perform evil spells for a sum.Growing up in Singapore I was awared of the various religions because of it's multi-races,multi- cultural,multi-lingual and multi-faiths too.Buddhism is suppose to be a 'peaceful' religion and we can see countries that embraced buddhism are not really true peace seekers where corruption and evil practices are found and tolerated too.Their princes are buddhists in name only as I am sure they are very aware of these practices and do not stop the filth and diseases in their countries.My personal experience at my workplace many years ago with some thai (buddhists ?) were quite shocking when they were very violent and merciless towards others.An eyeopener for me as I learned to be more discerning with godly wisdom from the Holy Spirit.True peace comes from our Lord Jesus Christ the Prince of Peace,who died and rose again on the third day.Buddha was a man and sinner like us,he could not pay for his own sinswhen only the Son of God who is SINLESS can redeem anyone who repents and acknowledge Him as Lord and Saviour.
 

MickinEngland

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Buddha made great attempts to discover the Truth 600 years before Jesus was born, but he was just a human giving us his own best guesses, hunches and theories.But Jesus said -"..the Father who sent me told me what I should say .." (John 12:49) And THERE we have the huge difference between Buddha and Jesus..I often wonder what the two would have said to each other if they'd met..And I wonder what Buddha would say to his followers nowadays, i.e -" ignore Jesus", or "Listen to him!". ? Certainly,as a seeker of the Truth, Buddha will probably have seen the writings of the ancient prophets like Moses, who foretold the coming of a "Superprophet" (Jesus), and Buddha must have wished he'd be around to meet him.Perhaps Jesus hinted at this when he told his disciples - "..many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which you see, and have not seen them, and to hear those things which you hear, and have not heard them" (Matthew 13:17)-------------------------------------