Part 80 (1/2)
CHAPTER XXIX.
CHRIST BUDDHA AND CHRIST JESUS COMPARED.
”The more I learn to know Buddha the more I admire him, and the sooner all mankind shall have been made acquainted with his doctrines the better it will be, for he is certainly one of the heroes of humanity.”
_Fausboll._
The _mythological_ portions of the histories of Buddha and Jesus are, without doubt, nearer in resemblance than that of any two characters of antiquity. The _cause_ of this we shall speak of in our chapter on ”Why Christianity Prospered,” and shall content ourselves for the present by comparing the following a.n.a.logies:
1. Buddha was born of the Virgin Mary,[289:1] who conceived him without carnal intercourse.[289:2]
1. Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, who conceived him without carnal intercourse.[289:3]
2. The incarnation of Buddha is recorded to have been brought about by the descent of the divine power called the ”_Holy_ Ghost,” upon the Virgin Maya.[289:4]
2. The incarnation of Jesus is recorded to have been brought about by the descent of the divine power called the ”Holy Ghost,” upon the Virgin Mary.[289:3]
3. When Buddha descended from the regions of the souls,[290:1] and entered the body of the Virgin Maya, her womb a.s.sumed the appearance of clear transparent crystal, in which Buddha appeared, beautiful as a flower.[290:2]
3. When Jesus descended from his heavenly seat, and entered the body of the Virgin Mary, her womb a.s.sumed the appearance of clear transparent crystal, in which Jesus appeared beautiful as a flower.[290:3]
4. The birth of Buddha was announced in the heavens by an _asterim_ which was seen rising on the horizon. It is called the ”Messianic Star.”[290:4]
4. The birth of Jesus was announced in the heavens by ”his star,” which was seen rising on the horizon.[290:5] It might properly be called the ”Messianic Star.”
5. ”The son of the Virgin Maya, on whom, according to the tradition, the 'Holy Ghost' had descended, was said to have been born on Christmas day.”[290:6]
5. The Son of the Virgin Mary, on whom, according to the tradition, the 'Holy Ghost' had descended, was said to have been born on Christmas day.[290:7]
6. Demonstrations of celestial delight were manifest at the birth of Buddha. The _Devas_[290:8] in heaven and earth sang praises to the ”Blessed One,” and said: ”To day, _Bodhisatwa_ is born on earth, to give joy and peace to men and Devas, to shed light in the dark places, and to give sight to the blind.”[290:9]
6. Demonstrations of celestial delight were manifest at the birth of Jesus. The angels in heaven and earth sang praises to the ”Blessed One,” saying: ”Glory to G.o.d in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”[290:10]
7. ”Buddha was visited by wise men who recognized in this marvelous infant all the characters of the divinity, and he had scarcely seen the day before he was hailed G.o.d of G.o.ds.”[290:11]
7. Jesus was visited by wise men who recognized in this marvelous infant all the characters of the divinity, and he had scarcely seen the day before he was hailed G.o.d of G.o.ds.[290:12]
8. The infant Buddha was presented with ”costly jewels and precious substances.”[290:13]
8. The infant Jesus was presented with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.[290:14]
9. When Buddha was an infant, just born, he spoke to his mother, and said: ”I am the greatest among men.”[290:15]
9. When Jesus was an infant in his cradle, he spoke to his mother, and said: ”I am Jesus, the Son of G.o.d.”[290:16]
10. Buddha was a ”dangerous child.” His life was threatened by King Bimbasara, who was advised to destroy the child, as he was liable to overthrow him.[291:1]
10. Jesus was a ”dangerous child.” His life was threatened by King Herod,[291:2] who attempted to destroy the child, as he was liable to overthrow him.[291:3]
11. When sent to school, the young Buddha surprised his masters. Without having ever studied, he completely worsted all his compet.i.tors, not only in writing, but in arithmetic, mathematics, metaphysics, astrology, geometry, &c.[291:4]