Apostle Paul
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, 1657
My dear friends,
The beauty of the spiritual journey is its universality. Across traditions, one finds stories of transformation, of moving from darkness to light, ignorance to wisdom. The writings of the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 1:12-17 offer an enlightening perspective on this transformative journey.
who has strengthened me,
because he judged me faithful
and appointed me to his service,...
- 1 Timothy 1:12
Gratitude is an essential quality on the path to enlightenment. Paul's deep gratitude towards Christ resonates with Buddhists' gratitude towards the Buddha, Dharma (teachings), and Sangha (community). It is through this gratitude that one acknowledges the forces beyond oneself, guiding and supporting one's journey to awakening and service.
a persecutor, and a man of violence.
But I received mercy
because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief,...
- 1 Timothy 1:13
Here, Paul acknowledges his past mistakes. Recognition of one's past deluded actions is the first step in generating genuine remorse and aspiring to purify them. Paul's admission resembles the Buddhist practitioner's reflection on negative karmas (akusala-kamma or "unskillful actions") , realizing the suffering they cause and the importance of transformation.
- 1 Timothy 1:14
The overflowing grace Paul speaks of mirrors the boundless compassion that Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion in Tibetan Buddhism, showers upon sentient beings. Just as Christ's grace transformed Paul, the compassionate blessings of Avalokiteshvara aim to alleviate the suffering of beings, guiding them towards enlightenment. When we ourselves forgive fully and unconditionally, we release others from bondage to guilt and anxiety, and we release ourselves from bondage to anger and resentment.
that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners -- of whom I am the foremost.
But for that very reason I received mercy,
so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience,
making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life.
- 1 Timothy 1:15-16
By humbly acknowledging our imperfections, we become approachable and relatable. This humility serves as a bridge for others, showing that transformation is possible for everyone, irrespective of their past.
immortal, invisible, the only God,
be honor and glory forever and ever.
Amen.
- 1 Timothy 1:17
This veneration echoes the reverence in Tibetan Buddhist prayers towards the timeless Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Both traditions emphasize the eternal and infinite nature of the divine, which transcends human comprehension. This praise reminds practitioners of the grandeur and majesty of the path and the beings that guide them.
Paul's journey from ignorance to wisdom, darkness to light, resonates with the core teachings of Tibetan Buddhism. Both paths emphasize transformation, the importance of humility, and the boundless grace or compassion that assists on the journey. Whether it's the grace of Christ or the compassion of Avalokiteshvara, the essence is the same: an ever-present guidance leading beings towards enlightenment and ultimate peace.