BODHISATTVA AND MESSIAH: THE COINCIDENCES AND CONCORDANCES IN THEIR THEORIES AND DOCTRINES

Abstract

This paper explores the concordances and the coincidences in the theories and doctrines of Bodhisattva and Messiah. The doctrines of Bodhisattva dominantly prevail in Buddhism, in its scriptures, and the literature about it. Likewise, the concept of the Messiah is also equally pervasive in the Old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible. The theories and doctrines of Bodhisattva and Messiah have coincidences and concordances in their essence. They both accord in their ideals and missions to lead humankind to salvation, redemption, and Nirvana or enlightenment. Despite the differences, both Bodhisattva and Messiah have a similar primal grounding on sacrifice and renunciation to liberate and redeem humankind. To accomplish this goal, both depict themselves as the saviours. Therefore, it is essential to recognize that the fundamental doctrines of Bodhisattva and Messiah are not only just because of random development; rather the crosscurrents between the two religions enriched the theories and ideas about them. The simultaneous development of these two religions has harmonized the concepts of Bodhisattva and Messiah. By providing a new outlook, this study adds the qualitative insights of the knowledge about these two aspects from Buddhism and Christianity. The congruity in their ideas demonstrates how the different roads lead to the same destination of truth and reality. To meet the objectives, this article has applied the qualitative approach to research. So, comparative research design and thematic analysis method have been implemented to formulate new interpretations while exploring the concurrences in the theories and doctrines of Bodhisattva and Messiah.