The Golden Rule

We are in the process of updating our information on cults and religions in our World History and Literature Package. In researching/revising the content on Buddhism, I found it interesting that there are a striking number of parallels between the teachings of Buddhism and the Bible.

Parts of the Eightfold Path in Buddhism are remarkably similar to biblical teaching. Buddhism teaches that you should conduct yourself with "right speech," meaning that you should tell the truth and speak kindly to others. This parallels with the Bible. Ephesians 4:25 tells us to "speak the truth with your neighbor" and in verse 29 we are admonished to speak "so that your words may give grace to those who hear." Buddhism teaches "right action" which involves refraining from stealing and killing. The Ten Commandments tell us, "You shall not steal" and "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13, 15). The Eightfold Path teaches "right livelihood" by earning an honest living, the Bible says to "labor, doing good work with their own hands, so to have something to share with the needy" (Ephesians 4:28). Buddhism teaches "right effort," meaning to live with an attempt to prevent evil and promote goodness, the Bible tells us in Galatians 6:9 to "not grow weary of doing what is right, for we will reap in harvest time, if we do not give up" and in 1 Thessalonians 5:22 to "abstain from every kind of evil." "Right mindfulness," which means to be focused on the task at hand is a part of the Eightfold Path, and Jesus touches on a similar theme when He says "today's trouble is enough for today" and to "not worry about tomorrow" (Matthew 6:34). Buddhism teaches "right concentration" by ridding yourself of unwholesome thoughts and the Bible instructs us to "let no evil talk come out of your mouths but only what is good for building up" (Ephesians 4:29). Finally, the Eightfold Path teaches "right thought" by thinking thoughts of love and nonviolence, while Jesus tells us to "love your enemies" (Matthew 5:44). Further, Buddha once said, "Whatever is disagreeable to yourself, do not do unto others," which is practically identical to what we call the Golden Rule in Matthew 7:12, "Do to others as you would have them do to you."

These similarities do not mean that Buddhism is a substitute for Christianity. Mankind is not guilty of just faulty thinking as Buddhism teaches, man is guilty of sin and the remedy for sin is found in the cross of Jesus Christ. "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us." (Ephesians 1:7)

Yet, all the similarities strike me as incredibly interesting and a testimony to the universality of God's truth. Because humans are made in God's image, the truth of God works its way, even to some small extent, into the hearts of all men. Thus, we should not be surprised when we find God's truth outside the bounds of Christianity and the Bible. I think this is part of what Paul is referencing in Romans 2:14-16 when he speaks of Gentiles who have never been exposed to the truth of scripture, still have a sense of right and wrong. God's truth is universal and wherever we find it, it is still God's truth. Consequently, the teachings referenced above that correspond to God's revelation, can be acknowledged as such and serve as a bridge between Buddhism and Christianity when sharing the gospel. If you have a Buddhist friend or neighbor, you can share these points of commonality and use them as a springboard for further discussion about the teaching, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.