Is this instruction by Maimonedes just like Buddhism?

Question

I read this on a site I found here, while researching. The site is aish.com, a site for Jewish philosophy, etc.,:

"All my days I grew up among the wise, and I have not found what is good for the body other than silence (Ethics of the Fathers1:17).

In his famous instructions on the "golden mean of virtue," Maimonides states that a person should avoid either extreme of any character trait."

Note: the site is Aish.com. check it out, but I must warn you...if there is ANY anti-Jewish posting or flaming, you WILL be reported.

Thanks for the correction as to who wrote the quote. I will bring it to the attention of the write whom I quoted on that site, if possible. The essence is the same, though.

Answer 1

Maimonides golden mean of virtue is abit more complex. He felt that the middle path was the best path usually, but if a person had an inclination towards one extreme, for example he was overly generous, then he should become overly stingy for a few years before coming back center.

Also, he felt pride and anger had no place at all, and one should not follow the middle path there.

The path he was speaking of was the character traits as they are described in Jewish law, which also changes the meaning a bit from what one might originally feel he was talking about.

Also, just as an FYI, that Aish is not really the best place to find out about Judaism because they often twist Judaism to attract non-religious Jews. They do this to the point where often what they are teaching borders on or crosses the line into being dangerously incorrect from the perspective of normal Orthodox Judaism.

Answer 2

The major religious groupings (judaism, chirstianity and islam are all part of one group, those who trace their origins to Abraham, and the group is referred to as either abrahamic or people of the book) all had their beginning at roughly the same time in history. This was a time referred to as the Axial Age. The commonalities of the times produces the commonalities of philosophies.

It therefore is no surprise that there are many, many philosophical similarities between religious groups, including the basic premise of all religions, which is to treat all others with respect.

Answer 3

Jewish philosophy tends to run a lot closer to Eastern thought than many would suppose at first. The two oldest religions still practiced today are Judaism and Hinduism...and both share much in ideas and mysticism.

Answer 4

Buddhism shares a lot of philosophical similarities with most religions and even just some humanistic concepts. I'd say the reason for this is because real wisdom knows no boundaries or "religion" it just IS, which is why we Buddhists deeply respect other faiths and what they can do for the people who choose to adhere to them.

_()_

Answer 5

Yes, it is similiar to the middle path teachings of Buddhism. This is to be expected, as any excess passion can lead to forgetting one's place. If I am so passionate about helping my community, I may forget to help my family or to perform the other mitzvot.

Better that we should act with reason and thoughtfulness that we might have time to fulfill all the mitzvot properly.

Answer 6

Many of the philosophies are similar within all religions and philosophies. I think the only one I know of that differs is Christianity's get out of Hell free card.

Answer 7

The similarities between Buddhism and Judaism are many.

Answer 8

slight correction my friend

Ethics of the Fathers was written about 200 BCE

Maimonedes was around in 1200CE you are 1400 years too early.

this quote was said in the name of Rabbi Shimon the son of Gamliel

http://www.chabad.org/library/article.asp?AID=2165

not that Maimonedes was not a great philosopher, he was just not around then.

I thought you might want to know who wrote it.