The Influence of Buddhism on Primitive ChristianityLillie, Arthur
Religion
The Influence of Buddhism on Primitive Christianity
Lillie, Arthur
Buddhism; Christianity and other religions -- Buddhism
"Lovely!" replied the monk. "Look here!" And plucking out one of his
eyes he held it up, bleeding and ghastly, and asked her to correct her
opinion.
WALKING ON THE WATER.
Certain villagers, hard of belief, were listening to Buddha on the
shore of a mighty river. Suddenly by a miracle the great teacher caused
a man to appear walking on the water from the other side, without
immersing his feet. ("Chinese Dhammapada," p. 51.)
"AND LO! THERE WAS A GREAT CALM."
Pûrna, one of Buddha's disciples, had a brother in danger of shipwreck
in a "black storm." But the guardian spirits of Pûrna informed him of
this. He at once transported himself through the air from the distant
inland town to the deck of the ship. "Immediately the black tempest
ceased as if Sumeru had arrested it." (Burnouf, Introd., p. 229.)
A BUDDHA MULTIPLYING FOOD.
Buddha once narrated a story of a former Buddha, who visited King
Sudarsana in his city of Jambunada (Fu-pen-hing-tsi-king).
Now in that city was a man who was the next day to be married, and he
much wished the Buddha to come to the feast. Buddha, passing by, read
his silent wish, and consented to come. The bridegroom was overjoyed,
and scattered many flowers over his house and sprinkled it with
perfumes.
The next day Buddha with his alms-bowl in his hand and with a retinue
of many followers arrived; and when they had taken their seats in due
order, the host distributed every kind of exquisite food, saying, "Eat,
my lord, and all the congregation, according to your desire."
But now a marvel presented itself to the astonished mind of the host.
Although all these holy men ate very heartily, the meats and the drinks
remained positively quite undiminished; whereupon he argued in his
mind, "If I could only invite all my kinsmen to come, the banquet would
be sufficient for them likewise."
And now another marvel was presented. Buddha read the good man's
thought, and all the relatives without invitation streamed in at the
door. They, also, fed heartily on the miraculous food.
"WHY EATETH YOUR MASTER WITH PUBLICANS AND SINNERS?" (Matt. ix. 10.)
The Courtesan Amrapalî invited Buddha and his disciples to a banquet
in the mango grove at Vaisalî. Buddha accepted. Some rich princes,
sparkling in emeralds, came and gave him a similar invitation. He
refused. They were very angry to see him sit at meat with Amrapalî. He
explained to his disciples that the harlot might enter the kingdom of
Dharma more easily than the prince. (Bigandet, p. 251.)
THE PENITENT THIEF.
Buddha confronts a terrible bandit in his mountain retreat and converts
him. ("Chinese Dhammapada," p. 98.)
"THERE WAS WAR IN HEAVEN."
Professor Beal, in his "Catena of Buddhist Scriptures" (p. 52), tells
us that, in the "Saddharma Prâkasa Sasana Sûtra," a great war in
heaven is described. In it the "wicked dragons" assault the legions of
heaven. After a terrific conflict they are driven down by Indra and the
heavenly hosts.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account