Buddha and Jesus

Historically, Buddhism pre-dates Christianity by six centuries, beginnng with Siddhartha Gautama (better known as the Buddha, l. c. 563 - c. 483 BCE).

According to legend, Gautama was a Hindu prince who renounced his position and wealth to seek enlightenment as a spiritual ascetic, attained his goal and, in preaching his path to others, founded Buddhism in India in the 6th-5th centuries. The events of his life are largely legendary, but he is considered an actual historical figure.

The origins of Christianity go back to Roman Judea in the early first century. The four canonical Gospels date from around 70-90 AD, the Pauline epistles having been written before them around 50-60 AD.

Jesus of Nazareth: c. 4 BC – AD 30 / 33, also referred to as Jesus Christ, was a first-century Jewish preacher and religious leader. He is the central figure of Christianity, the world's largest religion. Most Christians believe he is the incarnation of God the Son and the awaited messiah, prophesied in the Old Testament.

Virtually all modern scholars of agree that Jesus existed historically, although the quest for the historical Jesus has yielded some uncertainty on the historical reliability of the Gospels, and on how closely the Jesus portrayed in the Bible reflects the historical Jesus, as the only records of Jesus's life are contained in the Gospels. 

Jesus was a Galilean Jew, baptized by John the Baptist and then began his own ministry. His teachings were initially conserved thru oral transmission and he himself was often referred to as "rabbi". It is believed, (although obviously unproven) that Jesus died by crucifixion. Believers in his divinity are counting on his return, bringing also a final victory over evil.

At a brief glance, some broad and powerful parallels between Buddhist and Christian tradition:

- Both emphasize living in peace, love, joy, and social harmony.

- Both de-emphasize the individual, ego, and selfish ideals.

- Both recognize profound, perpetual human suffering.

- Both strive to improve the human condition.

- Both emphasize very high ethical conduct, charity, humbleness, purity of heart, tolerance, and service to the needy.

- Both emphasize a very similar and basic Golden Rule:

"You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 19:19

"As a mother at the risk of her life  watches over her own child, her only child, so let one cultivate a loving heart towards all beings." Sn 149.

In conclusion, Buddha and Jesus were probably the two most influential figures in history. Their teachings have had a profound and positive effect on the cultures which adopted them.

There are more interesting parallels between the two men. Both were homeless, wandering teachers and both were skilled in using parables, i.e., stories to make their ideas understandable. They each attracted a band of disciples and sent them out to spread their teachings.

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