The question “What did Buddha say about Jesus?” is an intriguing one. While there is no historical record of Gautama Buddha (who lived in the 5th–4th century BCE) directly mentioning Jesus Christ—since Jesus was born centuries later—some modern texts have explored the relationship between these two revered figures.
The Buddha Teaches Once More: Buddha’s Words About Jesus
The book “The Buddha Teaches Once More” by Minh Nguyet (originally in Vietnamese as “Phật Giảng Con Nghe”) records Buddha’s teachings about Jesus. Notably, in:
- 📖 Chapter 3: “God and Buddha Exist Side by Side” – Buddha reveals the seven Ancient Buddhas in the universe and their manifestations across different religions. He also unveils that Jesus Christ is the seventh Ancient Buddha in the universe.
- 📖 Chapter 6: “The Origins of Religions” – Buddha explains the common origins of major religions, affirming that all originate from God, driven by humanity’s quest for truth and liberation. In this chapter, He reveals the similarities between Jesus Christ and Maitreya Buddha.
These chapters unveil many hidden secrets, providing profound insights into how Buddha perceived Jesus and other religions, encouraging harmony and mutual respect among faiths.
➡️ While The Buddha Teaches Once More offers a fascinating perspective on Jesus through the lens of Buddhist wisdom, a deeper exploration of their similarities and differences further enriches our understanding of these two enlightened beings.
🌿 How do their teachings align? And where do they differ? Let’s delve into the shared spiritual principles of Buddha and Jesus.
Buddha and Jesus: Two Enlightened Beings
Despite living in different eras and cultural contexts, both Buddha and Jesus are regarded as enlightened figures who brought messages of love and salvation to humanity. Both emphasized:
✅ Compassion and Loving-Kindness – Buddha taught mettā (loving-kindness) and karuṇā (compassion), while Jesus preached, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:31)
✅ Selflessness and Service – Buddha renounced his royal life to seek enlightenment, while Jesus emphasized humility and serving others.
✅ The Nature of Suffering and Salvation – Buddhism explains suffering through the Four Noble Truths and the path to Nirvana, while Jesus speaks of suffering in terms of sin and redemption through God’s grace.
Hypothetically: If Buddha Met Jesus
If Buddha and Jesus had ever met, their dialogue might have revolved around:
🔹 Impermanence (Anicca) – Buddha might have observed that Jesus’ life and teachings, like all things, were subject to change.
🔹 Non-Self (Anattā) – The concept of an eternal, divine self in Christianity contrasts with Buddhism’s doctrine of non-self, though Buddha would likely respect Jesus’ wisdom without necessarily agreeing with the idea of a divine savior.
🔹 The Middle Way – Buddha might appreciate Jesus’ emphasis on spiritual discipline but would likely encourage avoiding extremes in favor of a balanced approach.
Buddhism’s Recognition of Jesus
While Buddhism does not officially recognize Jesus as a Buddha or Bodhisattva, some Buddhist thinkers, particularly in the Mahayana tradition, have drawn parallels between Jesus and compassionate Bodhisattvas such as Avalokiteśvara (Guanyin Bodhisattva).
The Dalai Lama has also spoken highly of Jesus, acknowledging His deep compassion and wisdom.
Bridging Buddhism and Christianity
Despite theological differences, both Buddhism and Christianity share universal moral teachings that emphasize:
✅ Kindness and Compassion
✅ Mindfulness and Spiritual Awareness
✅ A Path to Liberation from Suffering
Modern interfaith dialogues continue to explore how the teachings of Buddha and Jesus complement each other, fostering global compassion and peace.
Conclusion
Although there is no historical record of Buddha directly speaking about Jesus, texts like “The Buddha Teaches Once More” provide valuable perspectives on their spiritual connection.
🌿 Both figures delivered messages of love and liberation, guiding humanity toward a higher truth.
