Was Jesus a Buddhist?

Interesting indeed.

However, I'm fairly sure there would have been some more obvious record of Jesus being a Buddhist in middle-east and western texts throughout the ages if it were true.

The video states that the principles taught by Jesus are more in keeping with Buddhist principles than with Judaism, but I feel it neglects to take account that both of these ways of life have changed and adapted with society over the past 2000 years, to the extent that it's not fair to perform such a comparison in todays world.

The story of Yus Assaf is also very interesting, but to make claims that he was Jesus is stretching it a bit (hey let's face it we get people nowadays claiming to be the reincarnation of Jesus etc. 😉 ). The footprints outside the grave could be interpreted as scars showing crucifixion, but could eaqually just be stylized impressions of feet with lines showing the crease of the toes on the foot. It's all very nice them coming to the conclusion that the "scars" align for a single nail through the feet, but those imprints do not even look like real foot imprints. They look carved or as if they have been impressed from a statue or modelled likeness of feet.

At the end it says that if it was Jesus, he spent most of his life in Kashmir, and that he did not die on the cross or ever resurrected. But if that's the case, how come the supposed scars on the feet? And what of all the teachings he gave in his life from other countries?

It would be interesting to see the rest of the programme rather than just that 7 minutes odd snippet from it, which may be out of context for all we know.

I'm sure that, like many wise people, they travelled and learnt from different cultures and religions and gurus/masters, so there probably is a good chance that Jesus did learn things from Buddhist teachings as well as those of Judaism and others. There is many a crossover between all the different religions, dharma teachings and vedic philosophies such that you can really see a lot of things in common across them, with most differences being those things that are intended to intimidate or control or clearly come from the ego. It is the pure teachings that remain the same in all.

All Love and Reiki Hugs

If Energylz, he really did died on the cross?

Best Wishes

RP

Hi Pixie,

I certainly believe it is possible that Jesus traveled to India during the missing years. Some traditions have it that Joseph of Arimathea was Mary’s uncle and was a rich trader (there is a legend that he had tin mines in Cornwall and that Jesus might have been to the UK as a young man (thus the words in the song Jerusalem)

If you look at a map, India wasn’t that far from Israel and in the 1st Century there are many proofs that his disciple Thomas traveled to India and today there are still many Thomasine followers. So, I certainly believe that it was possible that Jesus travelled to India with his uncle.

However, I don’t buy the rest of it! There was a BBC investigation a few years ago into this tomb and they certainly came down on the side of it all being a hoax in order to sell as 1973 book (rather like the Da Vinci Code)!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/8587838.stm

The idea that Jesus survived crucifixion and visited Kashmir was first raised in the 1973 book "Christ in Kashmir", by local journalist Aziz Kashmiri. Several other books followed it.
"Jesus Christ, after crucifixion, migrated from his native land, reached and settled in Kashmir, completed his mission, passed away, and was laid to eternal rest," Kashmiri writes in his book.
Local Muslim scholars and historians, however, ridicule Kashmiri's theory. Muslims revere Jesus as one of God's prophets, but they do not believe he died during his crucifixion.
"If Isa (Jesus) visited Kashmir and settled here, we would have all become Christians. But that is not the case in the valley," said Irshad Ahmad, a Muslim scholar.
http://in.reuters.com/article/topNews/idINIndia-48055220100430?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0

OK, now to answer the question of the title – Was Jesus Buddhist? NO. He was Jewish through and through (even though many Christians and Jews would prefer that wasn’t the case!)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/thepassion/articles/jesus_the_jew.shtml

Of course there are similarities in both religion’s teachings. To me, there is one universal Truth and Jesus and Buddha both learnt from it, through the universal divine Mind (which I see as God, though Buddhists would disagree with that concept)

The video has many inaccuracies sadly. It starts off with the 3 wise men, suggesting they were Buddhists. But it has been widely accepted that they were from Persia (now Iran) and were Zoroastrian priests.

http://www.farsinet.com/wisemen/magi.html

The video states that concepts like loving your enemies and blessed are the meek are Buddhist concepts, not Jewish. Sorry, but they are found in the Hebrew scriptures.

"But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace." (Ps 37:11)

"Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.
Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord." (Leviticus 19:17&18)

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/Christianity_Loving.html

Also, Jesus lived a traditional Jewish life, going to the synagogue, celebrating the Jewish fetivals and he often quoted the Hebrew scriptures, which he was brought up with, not Buddhist scriptures. Here are some of the places where he did this:

Matthew 22:29, Matthew 5:17, Matthew 7:12, Matthew 22:40. Matthew 4:4
He spoke of Adam and Eve (Matthew 19:4-6) , Abel (Luke 11:48-51), Noah(Matthew 24:37-39), Sodom and Gomorrah (Luke 17:29&30)

And his disciples and Paul (an important Jewish figure before his transforming experience on the road to Damascus,) also quoted extensively from the Hebrew Scriptures and were all Jewish, following the faith until it broke away from the synagogue and became Christianity, not Buddhism! 🙂 I know that many people would love to separate Jesus from Christianity, but it isn't possible.

Love and peace,

Judy

Hi Principled

I didn't say or indicate that I believed the video that is why i said in post#1 "Have a look at...." It was something I just fell upon and it amused me.

Why not take the Jesus out of Christianity? The world would be a better and less sectarian place. I like Energylz line, quote in post #2: "It is the pure teachings that remain the same in all."

Best Wishes

RP