In Seminary, I had the privilege of studying all the major spiritual traditions of the world. While I am Christian, it gave me a much broader understanding of other traditions and what these have in common. The theme of light permeates several traditions and in the month of December!
Today, we look at Buddhism from the story of The Buddha and then share this week’s theme of Advent in Christianity.
Buddha was born Siddartha Gautama in northern India/Nepal approximately 2600 years ago. He was a prince and his parents wanted to shield and protect him from the harsh realities of life. But Siddartha wanted to know more about the world and he secretly escaped the palace several days in a row. He was totally overcome by witnessing the suffering in life, especially sickness, old age, and death.
He was so overcome he left his sheltered, wealthy existence to seek the true nature of the mind for the benefit of all beings. For six years, he searched to find Truth and studied, meditated, and lived an austere life. He finally meditated for several days under what has become known as the Bodhi tree and the nature of Buddhism’s truth of the mind was revealed to him. He achieved unconditional and lasting happiness, free of disturbing emotions, and filled with fearlessness, joy, and compassion.
He spent the rest of the next 45 years sharing what he had learned with all who would receive. This is a somewhat simplified version and I encourage you, if you choose, to seek further “enlightenment” of Buddhism through sources such as: “The Enlightenment of The Buddha,” Learn Religions; or “Shakyamuni Buddha’s Enlightenment: What did the Buddha Realize?” By Domyo. 4/6/2017. Buddhist History. Buddhist Teachings.
In Christianity, the theme for this week is awaiting the arrival of Jesus’s coming. More on this theme in the midweek post. What are you awaiting the arrival of in your own life, and how do you do this? I look forward to the arrival of the curing of Covid and its devastating effects globally. In the meantime, I WEAR MY MASK!
Blessings,
Carolyn
