Parellels in bible and buddisam!!!

February 26, 2007 1:15pm CST
Have anybody been able to find similarities between biblical principle of life and Buddhism?? I could find a lot of them...even though Buddhism is basically atheistic!!!!
2 responses
• United States
1 Apr 07
Actually if you study much mythology, anthropology, and comparative religion, you'll find parallels in most belief systems and cultures. Some of it is just common sense and wisdom, some of it is just common prejudice and xenophobia. I would also have to agree with derek - I think it's deceptive to say that Buddhism is atheistic. Atheism is it's own belief in and of itself and it's misleading to both Buddhism and Atheism to say that they are the same thing.
@Ravenladyj (22904)
• United States
2 Apr 07
"you'll find parallels in most belief systems and cultures" that is very true...in fact there are many similarities to even things like Wicca and Christianity actually...and in all honesty, thats the reason (key reason) why I dont understand all the nattering between the religions...bottomline IMO is that the BASICS and basic goals of pretty much every religion out there, from Christianity to Satanism are the same...So why is it ppl cant just acknowledge, accept and move on ya know...
• United States
3 Apr 07
I suspect that it's all just xenophobia. Or perhaps neophobia. Fear of the new. The way that someone has been their whole lives is more comfortable (to most) than learning to adapt...so they don't. Instead they stand on "their" side of the line and claim that everyone else must be wrong, since they are comfortable where they are.
@derek_a (10874)
26 Mar 07
I have been practising Zen Buddhism for over 20 years and the similarities between Buddhism and the teachings of Jesus are so very similar. Personally, I don't think I would say that Buddhism is atheistic as there is trust that one will find one's original nature (Buddha nature) and the acceptance of karma. Jesus referred to "As you sow, so shall ye reap". I feel that the Buddhist, through meditation, can get to realise on a conscious level (whilst on earth) that the individual will disappear and become one with all there is. Christianity talks about returning to God through various devotions but unfortunately in the dark ages, many Christian teachings became distorted to give power to the Church and there was much bloodshed in its name. Jesus taught most of the time in the wilderness (owning nothing) and only of forgiveness, love and non-violence. Yes, there are a lot of similarlities that would take a great deal of time to list here.