Maestra Peace Mural
Mission District: The Women's Building
San Francisco, 1938-
My dear friends,
As we explore the teachings of the Apostle Paul on spiritual gifts, we see a profound analogy to the Mahayana Buddhist concept of Bodhicitta, the awakening mind of love, compassion and wisdom aimed at achieving liberation for the benefit of all sentient beings. Paul speaks to the Corinthians to enlighten them about the diverse but unified gifts of the Spirit, which serves to harmonize the community’s diverse functions towards a singular divine purpose.
brothers and sisters,
I do not want you to be uninformed.
You know that when you were pagans,
you were enticed and led astray
to idols that could not speak.
Therefore I want you to understand
that no one speaking by the Spirit of God
ever says "Let Jesus be cursed!"
and no one can say "Jesus is Lord"
except by the Holy Spirit.
- 1 Corinthians 12:1-3
In this passage, Paul emphasizes the indispensability and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, much like Bodhicitta transforms an ordinary mind into one directed towards supreme enlightenment. Just as the Holy Spirit enables the confession that ‘Jesus is Lord,’ so does Bodhicitta enable the spiritual practitioner to engage in the path of altruistic enlightenment.
and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord;
and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone.
To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
- 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
Paul’s teaching here mirrors the Buddhist understanding of the myriad ways in which Bodhicitta manifests: love, compassion, and skillful means are all different expressions of the same enlightened intent. The diversity of spiritual gifts, whether prophecy, healing, or knowledge, all serve the larger community and ultimate union with God, analogous to how diverse practices in Buddhism serve the attainment of enlightenment for all.
and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit,
to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,
to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits,
to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
All these are activated by one and the same Spirit,
who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.
- 1 Corinthians 12:8-11
This rich variety of spiritual gifts, all stemming from one Spirit, exemplifies the unity within diversity. In Buddhism, various paths are recognized—be they of study, meditation, or ethical conduct—yet all are energized by the unifying force of Bodhicitta, aimed at enlightenment. Each gift, like each path, is suited to the capacities and dispositions of each practitioner, fulfilling the spiritual economy of the community and ultimately the world.
Paul’s teachings and the concept of Bodhicitta both underscore a profound truth: the manifold expressions of spiritual gifts or paths, though varied, are united by a singular intent. They serve to elevate individuals and communities, guiding all towards a greater, common good. In this light, we are called to recognize and cherish the unique gifts bestowed upon each of us, cultivating them with the aim of service to the ultimate union of all beings in blissful freedom.