#LIBERATING_INDIAN_MIND–47
#BIBLE: #NEW_TESTAMENT

The New Testament has a much deeper Indian content in its form and spirit, although behavior of Christians is diametrically opposed to its precepts. We are not sure whether visit of Jerusalem by the wise men from the east (Buddhists?) is symbolic or indicative of appropriation of Buddhism by Christ. But it is a fact that the Buddhist missionaries supported by merchants took courage to penetrate distant places with divergent cultures or the total absence of it. they knew that unless violence is uprooted from the face of the earth, abiding peace is not possible. The peace-loving people might suffer evermore and might be conquered by the turbulent tribes. It is admitted that in the west Buddhist monks had reached up-to Greece before Alexander’s march against The Persian king. There are speculations that Christ had himself visited India and stayed for years in Kashmir, but even if we discount such claims, we have evidence of effective presence of Buddhist monks in and around Jerusalem, whereas the temperament of the local monarchs and subjects could be measured by the cruelty of Herod. Another fact that may not be ignored is that Jesus himself was baptized by John. John could have himself been initiated by some Buddhist monk and he might have chosen Jesus to win him on the side of Buddhism. However, it is just a brain wave to be taken within its limits.

What is indubitable is the fact that the impact of Buddhism, its organization, hierarchy, including the monks and the nuns on the pattern of Bhikshus and Bhikshuni, the sculpture, art forms as tools of propaganda, educatin, even the candle and bell were appropriated by Christianity.

If we compare Sanatan Dharm with Buddhism and the latter with Christianity, what is remarkable is the degree that makes the sanest lapsing into strenuous and finally sinks into perversion. Take for example celibacy. It has a plan, purpose and time limit in Ashram system, befitting healthy way of life. Buddhism imposed it on the members of Sangha as compulsory demand, resulting into pathological aberrations (beastiality and exhibitionism) both among the male and female members as complained by the peasants to no other person but Buddha himself. Christianity rendered it into original sin to disturb the sensitive persons? It was totally impractical, rather suicidal so Christ himself becomes sin bearer of his followers and this opened the floodgate for all sorts of sins. This double standard becomes the backbone of Christianity. But we have no right to laugh at them where from sacred rivers to paphari पापहारी and पापहारिणी divinities abound.

Likewise non-violence is one of the cherished values of the Sanatana Dharma. But this again is sensibly devised and practical. Buddhism led it to impractical extent to the effect that even agriculture becomes sinful. Remember the sight of insects being upturned and dying in the course of tilling of the land which was one of the experiences of his disillusion from normal happiness of life. The pathological extreme was reached by Jainism no doubt, but Christ’s offering another cheek to be slapped to one who slapped you on one cheek suffers from masochistic self satisfaction.

The sermon on the mount has an environment that reminds me of the isolated Buddhist monasteries on mounts- recall Kanheri caves and Ajanta as part of a tradition. The resonance and audibility of even a whisper heard at the other end of the hall, and the effect of the sound carrying a divine touch is missing here.

We know the definition of Dharma time and again compared with essential attribute of a thing. Read in the same vein Christ saying, “You are like salt for all the whole human race. But if salt loses its saltiness, there in no way to make it salty again. It has become worthless so it is thrown out and people trample it.” It appears to be a lesson learnt without touching the essence, because if you have grasped the essence of Dharma there is no need of any organisation.

With this background we may have a look at the sermon on the mount, initial two stanzas of which are introductory. The rest as below:

3.Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor, the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.जिज्ञासा
4. Happy are those who mourn. God will comfort them.करुणा
5. Happy are those who are humble, they will receive what God has promised.विनम्रता
6. Happy are those who is greatest Desire used to do what God requires. God will satisfy them fully.समर्पण
7. Happy are those who work for peace; God will call them his children.शान्ति
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.दया
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.मन की निर्मलता
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the childrenof God.सद्भावना
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.सहिष्णुता
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you,and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.निर्वैरता
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
13 ¶ Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.स्वधर्मे निधनं
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
17 ¶ Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
21 ¶ Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

I do not intend to tire my readers going into detail of all these. They have a running theme centred in Indian moral and spiritual ethos.

I visited fragrant garden in Houston, city park, where the statue of Gandhi ji is set in artistic indian surrounding. There were indian flowers but none had fragrance. The same happened to Indian value system enshrined in Christianity. Christ was the first and the last Christian, because it shall amount to blasphemy to call him Western Buddhist. We know, the fate of Buddhism among Mongolians. So was the case with its western counterparts.