Morality of Buddhism and Christianity: Taught from the Ancient Prophets

By Christopher Pusateri

Decadence Defined:
The process of falling away or declining (from a prior state of excellence, vitality, prosperity, etc.); decay; impaired or deteriorated condition (Oxford English Dictionary). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGfx4yJXUuI

Siddhartha Gautama Founder of Buddhism: 562-566 BC.

Buddhism began because Gautama disliked living luxuriously lifestyle of his families kingdom in India. One could say Gautama was a awakened soul due to subjecting himself to harsh to acts to achieve displine. Awakened one is = meaning of Buddha. - A person who is free from mental distortion and obstruction. Live free!

Wise Words from Gautama on the act of Giving: Founder of Buddhism

when we see someone practicing the joy of giviing, aid him joyously and you willobtain vast and great blessings (Soko, P.104).

Dharma Defined: path toward external life by virtue

Why is there pain and suffering in this word?Central question to Gautama and Buddhism in general.

The universal law which governs the physical and moral order of the universe (Ethics, P.1). - all aspects of life is centered around this universal law called Dharma (seasons, movement of nature, the world).

Dharma Taught by the Six Nobel Truths

1. Pain and suffering are present throughout all countries and all mankind. - Sickness, old age 2. The root of all suffering came from the desires of wealth and selfishness of man 3. When mankind gets rid of desire, pain and suffering we cease. 4. Elimination of all desires (Hope P. 68).

Karma Defined:
The ancient Buddha defined as a reference to moral choices and the actions consequent of them (Ethics P. 6). This Karma according to the Buddha has two type of effects: 1. Transitive- direct moral impact one has on everyone. Ex. When another person is killed he or she is deprived from their life. 2. intransitive- the way the a persons moral actions affect the agent through an individuals free will of rational choice shaping his or her own destiny. (Ethics P.6).

Dana Defined: Act of giving through generous means

Dana is supported by Sangha which is reference to a community or group of monks, nuns, and novices (Understanding P. 37) - Dependent (count on others) upon generosity to achieve the simple nourishment to eat - Chartable act by others.

Karma Continued
A key aspect of Karma that has not yet been experienced can be carried onto the next life due to previous incarnation our past. in aspects including but not limited to: - own family, - social status, - physical appearance - individual character - personality.

Ahimsa Defined: Non Harming or violence

Shows a deeper respect for all nature and mankind. - Peace - Love - No Violence - No war

An Eye for an eye makes the whole world blindGandhi

Compassion (Karuna) Four types:

1. Metta = Love and kindness 2. Karuna = compassion 3. Mudita = sympathetic Joy 4. Upekka = equanimity important to influence towards loved ones to bring happiness and peace to others

The Golden Rule and the Five Precepts

An individual to treat others how they would want to be treated The Golden Rule can be compared to the Buddhas five precepts as follows I undertake and the precept and retain from: 1. harming living creatures 2. Taking what has not been given 3. sexual immorality 4. speaking falsely 5. taking antioxidants These rules are what Buddha's lives by everyday (Ethics, P.9). A monk must always be focusing to try to find his inner self to be at peace with the external world.

Moral Law in Christianity and Buddhism: A Comparison

Jesus' prohibits the following: 1. Murder 2. Adultery 3. Divorce 4. Considers anger an emotion, an act of murder wow (Hope, P. 103) Buddhism prohibits the folllowing: 1. Taking what has not been given 2. harming living creatures 3. sexual immorality <-----Five Precepts of Buddhist Moral Law : 4. speaking falsely 5. taking antioxidants

Christianity:
Jesus: (72 BC/BCE to 3036 AD/CE) Central figure among Christians Awaited messiah in the old testament Performed miracles Healed the sick Aided the those in need of his grace

Sin
Christians believe they can only be healed by Gods good graces for their sins Since all monks believe in anatta (non self) sin, does non existent and therefore the Buddha does not have a soul because everything in the world is samuppada. Gautama believes everything comes from a lot of various causes which creates a web or chain causation.

Continued:
Joanna Rogers says that samuppada is essential to Buddhist ethics because morality is based on interdependence in the individual karma (continued to future life) and anatta (Soko, P.78).

Buddhism and the Poor:

Historically the rejection of the caste system Unno believes under sangha was a society of equals regardless: - Birth - Lineage - lineal descent from an ancestor; ancestry or pedigree. (Oxford Dictionary). very little or no gap between Rich or poor classes under Buddhism for both sex -rejection that many lives where needed to achieve liberation. This was engaged Buddhism under Hinduism. (Soko, P.103).

Buddhism and the Poor Continued:

Important Not to be selfish if one achieves wealth. According to Thera what one earns must be born out of righteous means One must first control his attitude (appichata) first over desire before material goods can be acquired by just means (Soko, P.103). We overcome desire by following the eight fold path which will lead us to Nirvana (ultimate liberation). - Once Earned he obtains his material goods by just means, and thus achieving his duties in a just manner without greed of materialistic resources for survival is possible.

What is Engaged Buddhism:

According to Sallie, King Engaged Buddhism often used by Buddhist activist means socially and politically engaged (Soko, P.108). - King at the heart of engaged Buddhism is millions of people working at the grassroots level because they are driven by their Buddhist principles (Soko, P.108). - Human rights = fighting to make change for something you believe in.

Christianity and the Poor:

The message of Jesus was - Love God - Love thy neaibor - Love ones enemy - God was supreme being of the world

Christianity and the Poor Continued:

Jesus was known to be a great healer of the poor, disabled, and the sick as cited in the four Gospels of the new testament (Hope, P. 103). Provided peace on earth to all those suffering - Ultimate remedy

Christianity and St. Francis: The Hermeneutical Rule

Hermeneutical Rule = understanding the word of God. - Francis first heard the gospel or the words of God after he had embraced the lepers meaning that he realized selfish desire was an unjust way to live ones life. - Committed to Serving God through discipline and desire to spread the word of God through Jesus' scripture and teachings (Hermeneutics, P. 40).

St. Francis of Assisi

Assisi Home of St. Francis

Afterlife in Buddhism 3 parts:

Anatta = oneself Sunya= empty, no soul

1. Four Noble Truths 2.Eight Fold Path 3.Nirvana- ultimate Liberation.

Afterlife Christianity:
Heaven- angles Hell demons

References:
Smith, (2007) Understanding Word Realgions Soko, K. (2009)A mounting Eat West Tention Keown, D. (2000). Buddhist ethics: A very short introduction. New York: Oxford University Press, Inc. Maraldo J.The Hermeneutics of Practice in Dogen and Francis of Assisi An Exercise in Buddhist-Christian Dialogue retrieved from Attla Nadami K, (2001) Hope for Peace

Top of Mount Hermitage in Assisi