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... When comparing the lives of Buddha and Jesus, you will find that the two share many things in common. In this essay I will compare and contrast the conception and birth between Jesus and Buddha. ...
Sources on the Buddha’s life indicate that he was born around 525 BC. ... Tradition reports that the Buddha’s mother, Mahamaya, had just returned from the Festival of the Full Moon, when a deep sleep overcame her. ...
It is held that when the would-be Buddha entered his mother’s womb, there appeared an “unlimited and glorious radiance, surpassing even the majesty of the devas. ... 16) Some later accounts even suggest that Mahamaya’s womb was transformed into a jewelled palace for the Buddha. In these accounts, the gods wished to protect the Buddha from the defilement of his mother’s womb; so they wrapped him in a garment of gold, and provided him with a soft pillow to recline on. It is also narrated that Mahamaya carried the Buddha for ten months before she gave birth. ... ” From this, they concluded that Mahamaya had conceived the Buddha. ... If what is conceived of the queen shall remain among men, he will be king and rule … but if he is a priest he will verily become the Buddha. ... 16)
The earliest accounts of Jesus’ life are found in the gospels, those according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. ... All four gospels agree that Jesus’ conception was miraculous. ... And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS…And behold [O Mary], thou shalt be called the son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. ... He continued to reveal that his name was to be Jesus; he would be a Son of God and would save people from their sins [Gospel According to Matthew: 20-21].
In comparing Buddha’s and Jesus’ conceptions, one finds many similarities. Jesus’ and Buddha’s conceptions were both of a supernatural nature. ... John’s account of Jesus’ life clearly establishes that Jesus was a pre-existent being. ... ” (John 1:1) The “Word” in this statement refers to Jesus. This shows that Jesus existed before all things. ... ” (John 1:15) In the same Gospel, Jesus himself says: “Verily Verily I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” (Gospel According to John 8:58) In this sense, it is said that Jesus existed, in some form, before his life on earth. Like Jesus, the Buddha is also said to have been pre-existent. Buddhist tradition relates that before his conception, the Buddha lived amongst the gods in Tusita heaven. ... In any case, all the early Buddhist traditions clearly indicate that Buddha was able to choose the time, country, family, and caste of his birth. ... The Buddha’s authority however, marks an important distinction between him and Jesus. Both Jesus and Buddha were pre-existent beings, but only the Buddha entered the world by choice. ... But nowhere in Christian or Muslim literature does Jesus share the same status. Jesus had no say in when he should appear. At best, he can only be said to have been with God when the decision was made for Jesus to descend.
Another remarkable similarity between Jesus and Buddha is that both conceptions were foretold. In the era of Jesus’ birth, the entire Jewish nation was awaiting the birth of their messiah. ... ” Three wise men, after seeing a special star in the east, came from a faraway land (probably Mesopotamia) to witness Jesus’ birth. These Magi followed the star’s movement through the sky, until it came to hover just above the infant Jesus. It is obvious then, from all historical accounts, that Jesus’ birth was well known beforehand. Like Jesus, the Buddha’s birth was also predicted. ... The priests interpreted these events as signs that a new Buddha had entered into the world. At first, they did not know where the Buddha was; later, after learning of Mahamaya’s dream, they knew that her son was to be the next Buddha.
Approximate Word count = 3469
Approximate Pages = 13.9
(250 words per page double spaced)
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