Given the presence of Buddhist missionaries in the Middle-East before Jesus was born isn't it possible...?

Question

that Jesus was actually a Jewish proponent of Buddhism, not a messiah? Buddhist philosophy had a while to gain popularity in the region before the Romans came, after all.

Opinions?

Answer 1

There is a large period of time missing from Jesus life in the bible. He lived along the trade routes with eastern countries, and there is record of him receiving Buddhist instruction there. This would explain things like his desert retreat, his ability to communicate with animals, and his various miracle powers, all of which are a natural part of Buddhist training. If you read the gnostic gospels and writings that are more true to Christ's original teachings, you will find they are very Buddhist.

Answer 2

Buddhism reached to Greek two thousands years ago as the Greek conquered across Asia and also the sub-continent (India). Milindha Panha is a well known Greek influence in Buddhism.
It's true the ancient merchants traveled, including Tibetans, across the continent. Some believe the Jews might have contact with the Tibet where Buddhism was flourishing. And the 12 year unknown period in Jesus life is still a mystery - some think he was doing apprentice in carpentry. If apprenticeship is to be true, how could he understand the politics of his time and reach to the leadership of the poor? Actually, he stood for those bottom people of the society where the Romans and the Jew authority were suppressing the Jewish society. Consider the case that Jesus disturbed the money lenders and accused them as criminals or sinners; from this point, he seemed to go on against Judaism as well. But who knows?

Answer 3

No. Buddhism does not share the same message as the Prophets in the Old Testament, which predates Buddhism by centuries. The message of Jesus never once strays from God's message throughout the Old Testament, which predates Buddhism. So, since Jesus is not in opposition to the OT and is a fulfillment of the OT prophesies, all of which predate Buddhism, it stands to argue that the is no substance to the argument that Jesus was influenced by Buddha.
However, given that there were Jewish merchants in all the lands, many traveling to and from the Holy Land for Pentacost, it stands to reason that Buddha was influenced by the teachings of Judaism.

Answer 4

No, basically.

Jesus was a practising Jew and there is not a shred of evidence for his having tried to introduce Buddhism. If he'd tried, he would not have been a Jewish proponent of Buddhism, he would have been a Buddhist - one can't be both Jewish AND also adhere to any other religion. It doesn't work that way.

Answer 5

The 3 wise men were from the far east, orient.
See the Talmud Jmmanuel material/text.
www.tjresearch.info/overview.htm and
www.figu.org (English Discussion Forum)

Also Levi's "The Gospel of Jesus the Christ" and Ed T Martin's book, who was inspired by Levi's book. Martin wrote "King of Travelers - Jesus Lost Years in India".

Answer 6

of course it is possible..but very unlikely since all writings show that Jesus lived and died a religious jew.

another possibility is that both Buddha and Jesus were human manifestations of God the Son.

Answer 7

Possible? Yes. Likely? No.

Answer 8

No, Jesus is a part of the Godhead, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Before Buddha was, God was.

Answer 9

compare a guy sitting on a hill or mountain...telling his followers to shun the world, be happy with few possessions and clothes and live a life of simplicity...

now think of the Sermon on the Mount

how is that not Confucianism?

Answer 10

It has also been theorized that he traveled to India and received some of his spirituality there, then returned.