Jesus And Buddha example essay topic

Jesus & Buddha Brett SchopenWestern Traditions 20110/29/94 Disciple? : I have heard that you are two of the wisest men in the land and so Ihave come to you in hopes of advise. I am scared for my future and for the future of my newborn daughter. Can you tell me what is in store for us or give me an assurance me that we will be all right? Jesus: Do not worry about your life. Do not worry about food, drink, the body.

Life is more than these things. Believe in your heavenly Father. He knows what you need and will provide you with it if you practice and have faith in his teachings. Strive for the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. Buddha: No. Comfort in the present and future must come from inside the self, not from a God.

In meditation you will find the truth of life that will set you free from worry. Don't chase after the past, Don't seek the future; The past is gone The future hasn't come But see clearly on the spot That object which is now, While finding and living in A still, unmoving state of mind. This focus on the present is the beginning of the path to enlightenment which is comfort through understanding. When you are able to keep your mind focused on the present in a 'still, unmoving state of mind' you have reached enlightenment, where you will be beyond all emotion including suffering and worry.

Jesus: That is not so. A search for the entire true of life can never make you content in your life because you can never know everything there is. Thats for God alone to know. To enter the kingdom of heaven you must have faith in our Father. You must trust in His wisdom even in hard times.

For to know all and understand all you would be a god. And putting yourself on a platform with God is disrespectful and blasphemous. But if you follow His laws your suffering will end in the hereafter. Buddha: Truth is available to all people not just gods. For truth is in all things in the universe.

We only have to learn not to react with emotion to see it. If you can master not reacting through meditation you will see the true nature of the universe that lies behind the illusion of emotion. In this truth you will see the cause and effect relationship of all things and in that an order which will bring you understanding and comfort. Disciple? : What are the truths and teachings you speak of?

Jesus: In everything do to others as you would have them do to you. Always live by this rule and respect your Father and you will one day be allowed to walk beside Him in the kingdom of heaven. Buddha: In this we do not much differ. The most fundamental truth is to have compassion for all creatures.

Without this you can never end suffering. ' If a man foolishly does me wrong, I will return to him the protection of my ungrudging love. In trying to cause another anguish you only hurt yourself. A wicked man who spits at heaven spoils not the heaven, but defiles himself when the spittle comes back on him. ' Disciple? : But how can I know who is right?

Jesus: You can know I speak the truth because I am our Father's Son and I carry his word. 'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God.

' Disciple? : That seems fair. But if I believe in God I cannot be saved because Ihave already gone against these without even knowing it. Jesus: You can still be saved my son. For I am the Son of God and I am here to heal you and absolve your sins.

Disciple? : You even have the power to cleanse my rotted leg? Jesus: Yes I do. Be made clean! Disciple?

: OH MY?! My eyes deceive my mind! How can this be?!? Jesus: The power of God my son. Buddha: My dear boy do you not see that no matter what power he might have he cannot truly free you from suffering? In your reaction to his healing you started again the cycle that leads to suffering but he leaves you no way to end it.

Suffering is 'any craving that is unsatisfied. ' If you are never allowed to find out how this can be, because you can't question, you will always suffer from your desire. To destroy this suffering you must free the self from the thirst of desire. But you can never do that if you " re eyes are fighting with your mind, if you are fighting with yourself. There is an eight fold path which leads to the destruction of sorrow. Right understanding 1 and thought 2, that lead to wisdom.

Right speech 3, action 4, and livelihood 5, that lead to morality. Right effort 6, min fulness 7, and concentration 8, that lead to concentration. But accepting his power on faith as unexplainable keeps you from the first step on the path, understanding. Asd ones reacting favorably to the laws he states because they 'seem' fair. If you react to them as fair and take them as true because 'He's ays so, you give up your power to be enlightened in your search for the truth.

Without that to end your suffering you will go to his heaven with your desires numbed or constantly filled, but never quenched, and you will never truly be happy Disciple? : I am still thoroughly confused. Is there no definite answer!? Buddha: Not that we can give you. It is a question of faith in what could be or proof in what is. Jesus: Whether you trust in yourself or in the Almighty.

Buddha: Whether you think comfort comes from the process of learning or simply having the answer. Jesus: It is a question of right and wrong. Buddha: It is a question of what you know in your heart of hearts. Disciple? : Thank you Jesus and Buddha. Although I am still deeply confused Iknow that only I have the answer.

So I will be off to find out who and what, I believe.