Saturday, September 19, 2009

Quoting Buddha

Nowhere is it more obvious that Paul is quoting the Buddha than in 2 Corinthians 5:1.

1. For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a... house not made with hands, eternal in (nirbana) the heavens.
4. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan (suffer), being burdened (with suffering).
source

Siddhartha Gautama Shakyamuni spoke:

"Looking for the tabernacle maker,
through the many cycles of birth.
And in not finding him,
painful are the cycles of birth.

No more, maker of tabernacles,
for you [Mara] have been seen.
You shall make my tabernacle no more.

The rafters are broken,
the ridge-pole is sundered,
the mind approaches the Eternal.

I understand peace in the extinction of desire."

— Dhammapada - verses 153 & 154

round-about source here