One of the reasons I have come to believe this might be a possibility is because of
- The similarity of their messages
- Similar stories
- Buddhism was around Jesus in his life
- We have missing years of Jesus
Quote:
Buddhist Trinity (Tiratna) and Baptism:
"I take refuge, Lord, in the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha." (DN 31) "Enough, I say, with this external bath. I am satisfied with this internal bath: confidence in the Blessed One." (SN 55.30 Licchavi Sutta)
URL to read Buddhist DN 31: DN 31: Sigalovada Sutta
Christian Trinity and Baptism:
"... baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19).
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We also have a concept of considering others like yourself, and I found this passage very interesting:
Quote:
129. All tremble at violence; all fear death. Putting oneself in the place of another, one should not kill nor cause another to kill.
130. All tremble at violence; life is dear to all. Putting oneself in the place of another, one should not kill nor cause another to kill.
131. One who, while himself seeking happiness, oppresses with violence other beings who also desire happiness, will not attain happiness hereafter.
132. One who, while himself seeking happiness, does not oppress with violence other beings who also desire happiness, will find happiness hereafter.
133. Speak not harshly to anyone, for those thus spoken to might retort. Indeed, angry speech hurts, and retaliation may overtake you.
134. If, like a broken gong, you silence yourself, you have approached Nibbana, for vindictiveness is no longer in you.
135. Just as a cowherd drives the cattle to pasture with a staff, so do old age and death drive the life force of beings (from existence to existence).
136. When the fool commits evil deeds, he does not realize (their evil nature). The witless man is tormented by his own deeds, like one burnt by fire.
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Does this not sound very similar to something that Jesus taught in his time? However, the reason I think he could have been a syncretist is because these messages are similar, but Jesus seemed to teach slightly differently, i.e., the belief in God--but the core messages are the same.
If one reads this:
Buddhism and Christianity - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ... then I suppose, they are probably stumped. It is no surprise many Buddhists believe Jesus to be a bodhisattva.
We also have the "lost years of Jesus", many have speculated he went to India and Tibet, there is an interesting collection of writings attributed to someone called 'Issa'. Considered Jesus' name in Arabic is 'Isa', then we have an interesting, almost identical pronunciation. (The Arabic Isa, however, has a pharyngeal stop before the i though, so there is a slight difference. This is a funky sound that sounds like you're about to hawk up to spit). However, in order to pass through Tibet from India, you would probably have to pass through Nepal--the Buddha was born in Lumbini, which is modern day Nepal.
Text to read:
The Lost Years of Jesus: The Life of Saint Issa - Notovitch - it's huge, but I read the first page only.
So, what do you guys think? Am I crazy?