Buddha and The Rich Young Ruler Parable of the Bible
I've always wondered if this was possible. I know that its commonly accepted by most historians that Buddha was born 600 years before Christ. But after reading this parable many times over, I thought to myself, is it possible that the dates were messed up regarding Buddha's
birth?
600 years is not a huge gap for some sort of historical descrepency to have taken place. Particularly since man has just started keeping accurate historical records a bit under a millenium or so.
So what do you all think? Was the "Rich Young Ruler" of Mark 10:17 the Buddha? I'd like to get some of your opinions.
Gender: Male Location: Southern Oregon,
Looking at you.
No. Buddha was died ~500 or so years before Jesus. Also, Buddha was from a part of the world that is now known a Nepal. If Buddha could travel to Israel, then why couldn't Jesus travel to India and learn the teachings of Buddha?
2) ALL Historical documents prove that Buddha existed at LEAST 500 years before Christ. Buddhism began far earlier than Christianity.... that is FACT
3)Buddha did not crave earthly possessions...he did not put value into ANY of his physical or traditional treasures
Your labelling Buddhism as a self serving religion, and mischaracterization of Buddha shows a HUGE LACK of education on who Buddha was, and what Buddhism is about.....
But at least you ASKED a question about it, on that note, I'm happy you did...please try and learn though....
Gender: Male Location: Drifting off around the bend
Re: Buddha and The Rich Young Ruler Parable of the Bible
Buddha entered an ascetic life in his search for enlightenment, forsaking all worldly things as well as entering a severe fast. This is why he gained followers initially, he gave up everything to learn the truth. He did this immediately following leaving his father's palace and his inheritance. Your hypothesis falls down when this fact is considered.
Gender: Male Location: Southern Oregon,
Looking at you.
Why did Jesus tell the rich man to give away all of his possessions? Today, some of the richest people in the US are Christians. Should all Christians today, give away all of there property and money?
Gender: Male Location: Drifting off around the bend
Personally, I think it depends on where your heart lies. Joseph of Aramathea was a high ranking merchant with a lot of money, he wasn't told the same thing. If your wealth leads to pride and self pleasuring and does not leads to a greater aiding of one's fellow man, then it must be given up to attain a proper state of mind/being.
Re: Re: Buddha and The Rich Young Ruler Parable of the Bible
Hmmm...I think what you've listed above actually supports my hypothesis, particularly since the young ruler was in a discontented state about life, much like Siddhartha Gautama was upon realizing the fickleness of worldly pleasures.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Buddha and The Rich Young Ruler Parable of the Bible
I seemed to have touched a nerve with some of you over such a simple-innocent inquiry. So let me redirect the thread topic for a bit, and ask those who oppose my "hypothesis" a few more questions.
What do you think the end result would be, if you found out that the ideology you currently followed, was based on purposely misleading information?
Would you still hold on to your beliefs as firmly as you do now? Or would you continue to follow the same path, despite having a firm understanding of the truth that had been presented to you?
I'll answer these questions myself, as soon as I get a few responses from you all.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Buddha and The Rich Young Ruler Parable of the Bible
The time in which the philosophy was created makes no difference, it shouldn't even matter why Bhudda did what he did or learned what he did. And I couldn't care less.
Fact remains however that your hypothesis just isn't true. It's simple fact.
KMC Community Forums
Jan 25th, 2007 07:04 PM
I was wondering what happened. 
