The Man with the Withered Hand
James Tissot, ~1890
My dear friends,
In interpreting Mark 2:23-3:6 through the lens of the Bodhisattva path, we find a profound alignment with key Buddhist teachings, particularly those emphasizing compassion, skillful means, and the essence of spiritual laws.
he was going through the grainfields;
and as they made their way
his disciples began to pluck heads of grain.
The Pharisees said to him,
"Look, why are they doing
what is not lawful on the sabbath?"
And he said to them,
"Have you never read what David did
when he and his companions were hungry
and in need of food?
He entered the house of God,
when Abiathar was high priest,
and ate the bread of the Presence,
which it is not lawful
for any but the priests to eat,
and he gave some to his companions."
- Mark 2:23-26
In Buddhism, particularly Mahayana, the concept of upaya ("skillful means") is central. A Bodhisattva, motivated by compassion, may adapt or even seemingly contravene conventional norms if it serves the greater good of alleviating suffering. Just as Jesus prioritizes human need over ritual observance, a Bodhisattva values the relief of suffering over strict adherence to formality.
so the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath."
- Mark 2:27-28
"The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath." This statement aligns closely with the Buddhist understanding that spiritual practices and precepts are not ends in themselves but means to support the well-being of sentient beings. The essence of Buddhist practice is not to be enslaved by rituals or dogmas but to use them skillfully to cultivate wisdom, compassion, and liberation from suffering for others as well as ourselves.
They watched him to see whether he would cure him on the sabbath, so that they might accuse him.
And he said to the man who had the withered hand, "Come forward."
Then he said to them, "Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to kill?"
But they were silent.
He looked around at them with anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart and said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.
- Mark 3:1-5
The healing of the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath further illustrates the principle of compassion transcending legalistic constraints. In Buddhism, this echoes the idea that the highest moral action is that which reduces suffering and cultivates compassion and love. The Bodhisattva path is defined by the aspiration to attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings, emphasizing action based on compassion rather than rigid adherence to rules.
- Mark 3:6
The Pharisees' and Herodians' plot against Jesus after witnessing his compassionate acts highlights a common theme in spiritual traditions: the tension between transformative, compassionate spiritual practices and established religious or secular orthodoxy.
Interpreting these passages from Mark through the perspective of the Bodhisattva path reveals a deep congruence in the values of compassion, the purpose of spiritual laws, and the prioritization of alleviating suffering over rigid adherence to tradition. This interpretation underscores the universal spiritual principle that genuine religious practice ultimately serves to liberate and uplift sentient beings, resonating deeply with the Bodhisattva's journey towards enlightenment for the sake of all.