Same Scriptures In Buddhism And Christianity-Why?

Question

There are a few scriptures/verses in the Bible and in Buddhist writings that match exactly. Who is copying who?

Answer 1

Buddhism predates Christianity. And certain teachings such as the Golden Rule are found in many religions and philosophies.

Answer 2

Neither. It is imported to understand that translation is NOT an exact science. In fact, it is more of an art. Modern English and ancient Sanskrit or Pali are not anything alike. The sentence structure is different and there aren’t always one to tone translations for words. So, the concept is translated as opposed to the precise words. This is true of most languages, including Hebrew and Greek. So when you read an English bible and compare it to a copy of the Sutras written in English, you are not reading a word for word comparison of the original documents.

In simplest terms one book may read, "people in the area treat like you treat you." And the other might read, "Love others, self love same." The translator would have to translate the concept because obviously the grammar is NOT correct for English. So, either could be translated to mean the same basic thing, and if the two are similar, the translator might you the modern vernacular to drive home the point. So either text would mean, "Love thy neighbor as thy self." Even is neither of these statements actually said that.

I am trying to lean Korean, since I study Seon. (Korean Zen Buddhism) Often you hear people say that to say "Hello" you should say, "Annyong Haseyo" (Ahn-n'young Hah-say-yoh) and this IS the traditional greeting. But a literal translation is NOT Hello. Korean does not have a word that I am aware of for, "Hello". In stead, what you are saying is, "Are you at peace?" This is the greeting used, so most English speaking people associate this phrase with, "Hello."

So, no one copied anyone. The concepts were similar and so the translators borrowed common phrases. It is important to note that this is the same thing that has taken place whenever the bible or any text has been translated. It is just the way translations are done.

I hope this helps.

Answer 3

If i remember right, Buddhism actually predates Christianity. Christianity is actually a melding of several, if not many ancient beliefs, that came together through trade and in a sense an evolution of an understanding of the world.
During the early days, the only way to trade goods between the east and the west, was by land. This caravans made contact with several different groups with different beliefs, which in a sense influenced there own. Thus this melding of beliefs, laid the ground work for Christianity.
But Ultimately, both religions are both in search for the same thing, which are meaning, understanding, and salvation. Both do it differently, but its the same goal.

Answer 4

God wrote His law on the hearts of all human beings...so we can know/recognize what is true, and know and recognize what is right and wrong.

Buddhism was about observation, and truth can be observed if you look for it, which apparently Buddha did.

He also said that He is not a god, and that he could not save. He was essentially a philosopher, but since all people have an innate desire to worship, they made him a god and worshiped him even when he told them not to.

Christianity is the faith in Jesus Christ, and as God, who taught us, and clarified to us the "Truth" of His Word, which is universal by it's very definition as the Word of God, and it will be recognized by any who truly seek it. If Buddha found a truth by observing, and if Christ also teaches a truth that does not refute this, or contradict it, then it does not mean that one copied from the other. By all logic and reasoning, truth is all around us if we look for it. God cannot lie, and therefore can only tell us what is absolutely true, so any teaching of Christ would be truth, and reflect that truth in every action He made, and every word He spoke. Truth is evident in life if we seek it out, which is why we are told if we seek God we will find Him.

Christ said that, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, and no one gets to the Father but through Me." Also that, "I and the Father are One." Now the question you have to ask yourself...is that if Buddha says that he is not god, that he can't save, but Christ says He is God and He can, and both teach what can be determined as a similar truth...why not believe that both are telling the truth?

Jesus Christ is the only One who said He is God, who said He can save us from the penalty for our sins by our faith in Him. Who said He is the Only way to the Father, and that He and the Father are One.

I pray you seek the truth, because you will find it if you do.

Take Care and God Bless you!

Answer 5

Buddhism came first. Also, look up the Epic of Gilgamesh. Then read about the biblical flood and especially read Ephesians. Both are right out of the Sumerian tales. The everything in its season thing? Sumerian.

Answer 6

If you read the Egyptian Book Of The Dead, parts of it sound like it came directly from the Bible. All faiths have a Golden Rule that are very similar. The various cultures have mingled together over time. I think that either the younger religions copied from the older religions or subconsciously, we remember what we learned from past lives.

Those who wrote the various texts, wrote what they thought came to them from a higher power or what they thought came from their own insight. The latter being subconscious memories from past lives.

Answer 7

Jesus practised meditations in India during his missing years. Jesus' meditations were heavily influenced by Hinduism and Buddhism.

Answer 8

first, its "who is copying whom" and if copying were to occur, the Buddha predated Christ by about 500 years and lived about 50 years longer than Christ. But except for translations, there is no copying, truth is truth and God or the Universe or whatever can give us this truth through more than one source.

Answer 9

I'm surprised Christianity would copy such a pacifistic, peace loving philosophy.

I thought they would lean more towards Toltec activities...

Answer 10

The imitator goes farther behind in life.

The Bible has the world record for being the most sold book.