Paralytic at Capernaum
Peter Koenig, 20th century
My dear friends,
Mark 2:1-12 offers profound lessons that resonate with the principles of the Bodhisattva path in Buddhism. Let us explore these lessons through the lens of this path.
it was reported that he was at home.
So many gathered around
that there was no longer room for them,
not even in front of the door;
and he was speaking the word to them.
Then some people came,
bringing to him a paralyzed man,
carried by four of them.
And when they could not bring him to Jesus
because of the crowd,
they removed the roof above him;
and after having dug through it,
they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay.
- Mark 2:1-4
The friends of the paralytic demonstrate great compassion by going to great lengths to bring him to Jesus for healing. This act mirrors the Bodhisattva ideal of selflessly aiding others, even in challenging circumstances.
The friends of the paralytic removed the physical barrier of the roof to access Jesus' healing powers. On the Bodhisattva path, practitioners strive to remove both physical and spiritual obstacles for others. We too can work to eliminate barriers that prevent beings from realizing their true nature and potential.
- Mark 2:5
The faith of the paralytic and his friends led to healing and forgiveness. In Buddhism, faith (śraddhā) is essential on the spiritual journey. Faith here is not blind belief but a confident trust in the potential for awakening and the path leading to it.
Jesus' act of forgiving the paralytic's sins before healing his physical body can be interpreted as addressing the inner spiritual condition before the outer physical one. In Buddhism, emphasis is placed on healing the mind, which is seen as the root of both suffering and happiness, through practices like meditation and mindfulness. This aspect aligns with Jesus’ approach to first address the inner condition of the paralytic.
"Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"
At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves;
and he said to them, "Why do you raise such questions in your hearts?
Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,'
or to say, 'Stand up and take your mat and walk'?
But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"
--he said to the paralytic--
"I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home."
- Mark 2:6-11
Just as Jesus challenged the prevailing religious norms and expectations of his time, the Bodhisattva path often involves challenging conventional views and behaviors. It emphasizes a profound understanding of reality (wisdom) that goes beyond common worldly perceptions, much like Jesus' actions and teachings often transcended the established religious thought of his day.
so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"
- Mark 2:12
The collective amazement of the crowd reflects a sense of shared experience and interconnectedness. In Buddhism, particularly in the Mahayana tradition, there is a strong sense of interconnectedness among all beings. The enlightenment of one has implications for many, just as the healing of one individual in the story brought amazement and possibly transformation to an entire community.
In summary, Mark 2:1-12 can be seen as an allegory rich with themes that resonate deeply with the Bodhisattva path — compassionate action, removing obstacles, faith, inner transformation, challenging conventional wisdom, and interconnectedness. These themes highlight the shared spiritual heritage and wisdom that can be found across religious traditions.