As I was reading some Buddhist teachings today, I happened upon an analogous description that uses the exact substance and language as the "Good Samaritan" teaching of Jesus. I have included the both texts below. I included the Buddhist teaching first as it was written around 400B.C. The Gospel of Luke was written around the tail end of the 1st century A.D.
AN 5.162
And as for a person who is impure in his bodily behavior and verbal behavior, and who does not periodically experience mental clarity and calm, how should one subdue hatred for him? Just as when there is a sick man--in pain, seriously ill--traveling along a road, far from the next village and far from the last, unable to get the food he needs, unable to get the medicine he needs, unable to get a suitable assistant, unable to get anyone to take him to human habitation. Now suppose that another person were to see him coming along the road. He would do what he could out of compassion, pity, and sympathy for the man, thinking,'O that this man should get the food he needs, the medicine he needs, a suitable assistant, someone to take him to human habitation. Why is that? So that he won't fall into ruin right here.' In the same way, when a person is impure in his bodily behavior and verbal behavior, and who does not periodically experience mental clarity and calm, one should do what one can out of compassion, pity, and sympathy for him, thinking, 'O that this man should abandon wrong bodily conduct and develop right bodily conduct, abandon wrong verbal conduct and develop right verbal conduct, abandon wrong mental conduct and develop right mental conduct. Why is that? So that on the breakup of the body, after death, he won't fall in to a plane of deprivation, a bad destination, a lower realm, hell.' Thus the hatred for him should be subdued.
Gospel of Luke: Chapter 10 Verses 26-37
26 And He said to him, "What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?"
27 And he answered, "YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."
28 And He said to him, "You have answered correctly; DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE."
29 But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
30 Jesus replied and said, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead.
31 "And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32 "Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
33 "But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion,
34 and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them;and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him.
35 "On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.'
36 "Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers' hands?"
37 And he said, "The one who showed mercy toward him." Then Jesus said to him,"Go and do the same."
Putting these two teachings side-by-side brings up many points to ponder.
What are your thoughts?
Hi Loren,
ReplyDeleteYou and I have discussed some similarities between Buddhism and Christianity before. It is delightful that you are continuing your study. I am although curious, as to who is the author/translator of the above Buddhist story? It is rare to see the usage of words like "pity" and "hell" in a Buddhist teaching. For instance, if we pity someone, then we are not being compassionate (pitying claims that you are above someone). And as I understand Buddhism; "hell" is not thought of as something one experiences at the time of death, but rather more accurately describes the continual cycle of death and re-birth (samsara). Have you read the book "Living Buddha, Living Christ" yet? You'd really love this one. ;)
Angie
Hello Angie!
ReplyDeleteThis text was translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. It's quite interesting that you bring up this point, as usually he is very careful about finding right words in regards to Western connotations. I will say that it is only a contemporary connotation that would imply the perception of being above. In this particular context it seems that the text itself may be elaborating on these feelings of being in a position to help one in need. I agree that compassion pretty much encapsulates the motivation here though.
As it relates to "hell", the term is not foreign to the Hindu culture in which the Buddha was familiar. It seems he is laying out some similar concepts, but I don't know the history of this teaching either. I am definitely not an expert on this one, but I have seen this addressed in some of Joseph Campbell's expositions on Hindu beliefs as well as the Tibetan Book of the Dead.
I will have to do some research into this one though. Thanks for pointing it out.
I am also curious what your thoughts are about the parallels of the two texts.
Yes, I did read "Living Buddha, Living Christ", on your suggestion. I loved it and have continued to read Thich Nhat Hanh's writings. I have found a spiritual brother indeed. I have also read "Transformation & Healing", "Freedom Wherever We Go", and "The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching". I love the simple poetic way that he brings observation and practice together.
I have also taken a liking to the teachings of Thanissaro Bhikkhu, as they bring a very technical flavor to the practice of meditation and life.
I am trying to write a chronology of the personal transition that has been taking place for over a year now. I know it will interest you as well.
Thank You So Much for your part in this journey!
Peace!!