From Renunciation to Nirvana and Beatitude: What Is Common in Buddha and Christ?

Sabindra Raj Bhandari

doi:10.3126/paj.v4i0.37018

Abstract

This article explores the confluence in the ideas that Buddha postulated in the Dhammapada and Christ in the gospels of Mathew, Mark, Luke and John in the New Testament. In spite of the differences in their context, arena, and even in trends and tenets, they both project that the renouncement in action lead the worldly affairs to the realm of spiritual illumination. Both the Dhammapada and the four gospels from the New Testament clearly proclaim that subtraction of the ego along with the pursuit of wisdom eventually open the path of inner evolution for redemption—Nirvana and Beatitude. Likewise, the concepts of Bodhisattva and Messiah have similar mission to redeem the humanity. All these concepts invite a new revisiting to qualify them, adding a new in-depth insight. This fresh revisit widens new dimensions to view the meeting points between the seemingly diverse religious philosophies. Therefore, this paper has applied the qualitative approach to the ideas from the divine creations—the Dhammapada and the gospels of Mathew, Mark, Luke and John from the New Testament.

Highlights

This article explores the confluence in the major philosophical issues between the two great figures of human civilization—Buddha and Christ
The themes of humanity, love and faith related to renouncement and the path for spiritual evolution underlying in the concept of Nirvana and Beatitude from both works have been compared, explored, interpreted and expounded to show the co-relation between the Buddha and the Christ
Buddha and Christ belong to different dimensions of time, culture, and age

Summary

Introduction

This article explores the confluence in the major philosophical issues between the two great figures of human civilization—Buddha and Christ. They belonged to different epochs, cultures and geography, and were not certainly alike in all situations. The Dhammapada from Buddha and four gospels—namely Mathew, Luke, Mark, and John—in the New Testament deliver the similar messages in their essence. The philosophies of renunciation, Nirvana and Beatitude express similar voices and ideas. When Buddha was born about the mid-sixth century B.C. The whole Indian subcontinent was guided by the Hindu scriptures and Hindu faith. Rig Veda, the oldest Hindu scripture, dated back at least to fifteen hundred B.C., remained as the major landmark for the Prithvi Academic Journal, Volume 4, May 2021 [pp. Rig Veda, the oldest Hindu scripture, dated back at least to fifteen hundred B.C., remained as the major landmark for the Prithvi Academic Journal, Volume 4, May 2021 [pp. 96-106]

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