May 15th Elizabeth Devine

A)Parallels between Jesus and Buddha;
1)Jesus
-synoptic gospels
-endorsement of O.T.(old testament)
-bodily ressurection
-problem;sin
solution;attonment and faith
Later,
-Gnostic texts
-O.T.God is evil and different from N.T.
(new testament),(O.T.God "Yahweh",
finite, same as Plato's "Demiurge"
lit. craftsman, in Timaus but evil,
be matter is evil.)
-no bodily ressurection
-not even death
-not really crucified
-docetism:only one spirit,one nature
-problem;ignorance and trapped in
material world
solution;transcend material world
through secret mystical knowledge.
2)Buddha
-Pali canon(early teachings)
-4 noble truths
-Parable of the arrow;metaphysics
waste of time.
Later;
-Mahayana texts(much later)
-worship Buddha as god
-metaphysics
-claim to secret teachings
-Hindu ideas

B)Gnostic dualism

light and darkness and
spirit and /or matter


God the Father Yahweh
(N.T.) O.T./Demiurge
and/or (creator god)

C)
-Iraneus wrote "Against Heresies"
(180 A.D.)apology against Gnosticism
and other heresies.
-Church fathers- gnosticism began with
Simon the Magician (Acts)
-Marcion 140-160
-Valentinus 140, Rome