Christian and Buddhist
ChatGPT-4/DALL-E3, 2024-04-13
My dear friends,
As we gather on this third Sunday of Easter, we explore the profound connections and shared spiritual insights between Christianity and Buddhism, with the aim of deepening our understanding of the transformative journey of spiritual growth.
the Father has given us,
that we should be called children of God;
and that is what we are.
- 1 John 3:1a
In those fettered and weak
in the jail of cyclic existence,
They will be named
"Children* of the Sugatas",...
- Shantideva, Bodhisattvacharyavatara, I(9)
In these passages, both Christianity and Buddhism celebrate the transformation that arises from divine love and spiritual awakening. John speaks of the love from God that elevates us to children of God, paralleled by Shantideva's description of the moment the Awakening Mind arises, freeing us from cyclic existence and naming us children of the Buddhas. This illustrates the universal spiritual truth that true awakening changes our fundamental identity, bringing us into a sacred lineage.
What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is.
- 1 John 3:2
Iʹve been born in the family of Buddha, and now am one of Buddhaʹs Children*.
- Shantideva, Bodhisattvacharyavatara, (III,26)
Here, both scriptures articulate a future potential that is not yet fully realized but assured. As children of God and Buddha, we are in a process of becoming that transcends our current understanding. This transformative potential is a cornerstone of both faiths, emphasizing that our ultimate nature and destiny are to reflect the divine qualities of purity and compassion.
Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.
You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.
No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him.
- 1 John 3:3-6
Must be in accord with the family.
Never shall I disgrace or pollute
This noble and unsullied community*.
- Shantideva, Bodhisattvacharyavatara, (III,26)
The call to purity in action and intent is echoed in both John's letters and Shantideva's writings. Both demand a life that is congruent with our spiritual lineage, free from actions that bring dishonor to it. This is not merely about adherence to moral codes but is an expression of our true nature realized through disciplined practice and mindfulness.
Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.
- 1 John 3:7
- The Seven Limbs (Jewel Heart version)
An essential element of spiritual practice in both Christianity and Buddhism is the commitment to virtuous conduct, which transcends religious boundaries. John implores us to not be deceived by parochialism, emphasizing that righteousness is not merely about external adherence to rules but about embodying the divine qualities that Jesus represented. Similarly, the celebration of virtues in the seven-limb practice underscores that actions aligned with Buddhist teachings lead to a transformation that reflects the Buddha’s purity and wisdom. This shared spiritual truth highlights that anyone, regardless of religious tradition or even the absence of one, can attain a higher state of being through the practice of right actions (kusala-kamma). Thus, righteousness becomes a universally accessible path, not restricted by dogma but open to all who seek to live ethically and with moral integrity.
Thus, as we reflect on these sacred texts, let us strive to embody the virtues they extol, recognizing our shared journey towards purity, righteousness, and ultimately, enlightenment. May our exploration of these parallel paths deepen our commitment to live as true children of the divine, embodying love and wisdom in every thought and action.