The Meal at the House of Matthew
James Tissot, ~1890
My dear friends,
In Mark 2:13-22, Jesus presents a series of metaphors and actions that deeply resonate with the transformative paths of both the Bodhisattva in Buddhism and the Way of Christ in Christianity. These teachings, while emerging from different traditions, point towards a radical reorientation of religious attitudes and practices.
As he was walking along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth,
and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him.
And as he sat at dinner in Levi's house,
many tax collectors and sinners were also sitting with Jesus and his disciples
-- for there were many who followed him.
- Mark 2:13-15
Jesus' act of calling Levi, a tax collector, and dining with sinners reflects an inclusive and compassionate approach. This mirrors the Bodhisattva's path, which emphasizes universal compassion and the Bodhicitta aspiration to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all beings, regardless of their status or past actions. Similarly, Jesus demonstrates that the path to the Divine is open to all, challenging the exclusivist and judgmental attitudes of the religious elite of his time.
they said to his disciples, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
When Jesus heard this, he said to them,
"Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick;
I have come to call not the righteous but sinners."
- Mark 2:16-17
The metaphor of the sick needing a physician aligns with the Buddhist understanding of sentient beings being afflicted by the 'sicknesses' of ignorance, attachment, and aversion. The role of the Bodhisattva, like that of Christ, is to bring healing through wisdom and compassion. Both paths advocate a profound inner transformation, moving away from self-righteousness to a state of spiritual humility and openness to change.
"Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?"
Jesus said to them, "The wedding guests cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them, can they?
As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.
The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day."
- Mark 2:18-20
Jesus's teaching on fasting parallels the Buddhist understanding of the Middle Way, avoiding extremes of indulgence and asceticism, while His reference to the bridegroom being taken away is often interpreted as a prophetic hint of His impending crucifixion. This notion of removal or separation can be seen as a poignant part of the nuptial metaphor. Just as the unexpected death of the bridegroom would be a time of sadness and fasting for the wedding guests, so too would Jesus' crucifixion be a time of sorrow for His followers. This adds a layer of somber foreshadowing to an otherwise celebratory image, reminding us of the impermanent nature of all phenomena.
otherwise, the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made.
And no one puts new wine into old wineskins;
otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost, and so are the skins;
but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins."
- Mark 2:21-22
The metaphors of the unshrunk cloth on an old cloak and new wine in old wineskins signify the introduction of a new spiritual paradigm. This reflects the Bodhisattva's innovative approach to Dharma practice, which transcends traditional boundaries and embraces adaptive methods to suit the needs of different beings. Similarly, Jesus introduces a new way of understanding and living out spiritual truths, emphasizing the spirit of the law over rigid adherence to traditional practices.
The metaphors and actions of Jesus in these passages highlight a radical shift in religious thinking and practice. They parallel the Bodhisattva's way in their emphasis on compassion, inclusivity, and the transformation of traditional practices to meet the spiritual needs of all beings. Both paths challenge followers to go beyond surface-level religiosity, inviting them into a deeper, more authentic spiritual journey.