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Buddha

Although most people think of Buddha as being one person who lived around 500 BCE, the character commonly portrayed as Buddha can also be demonstrated to be a compilation of godmen, legends and sayings of various holy men both preceding and succeeding the period attributed to the Buddha (Gautama/ Gotama), as was demonstrated by Robertson:

... Gotama was only one of a long series of Buddhas who arise at intervals and who all teach the same doctrine. The names of twenty-four of such Buddhas who appeared before Gotama have been recorded. . . . It was held that after the death of each Buddha, his religion flourishes for a time and then decays. After it is forgotten, a new Buddha emerges and preaches the lost Dhamma, or Truth....

It seems quite probable in the light of these facts that any number of teachings attributed to "the Buddha" may have been in existence either before or at the time when Gotama was believed to have lived....

The name Gotama is a common one; it is also full of mythological associations. There was admittedly another Gotama known to the early Buddhists, who founded an order. So what proof is there that the sayings and doings of different Gotamas may not have been ascribed to one person? ...11

Because of this non-historicity and of the following characteristics of the Buddha myth, which are not widely known but which have their hoary roots in the mists of time, we can safely assume that Buddha is yet another personification of the ancient, universal mythos being revealed herein.

The Buddha character has the following in common with the Christ figure:

• Buddha was born on December 2511,12 of the virgin Maya, and his birth was attended by a "Star of Announcement,"'3 wise men 14 and angels singing heavenly songs. Is

• At his birth, he was pronounced ruler of the world and presented with "costly jewels and precious substances."I(

• His life was threatened by a king "who was advised to destroy the child, as he was liable to overthrow him."»

• Buddha was of royal lineage.

• He taught in the temple at 12.18

• He crushed a serpent's head (as was traditionally said of Jesus) and was tempted by Mara, the "Evil One," when fasting.

• Buddha was baptized in water, with the "Spirit of God" or "Holy Ghost" present.19

• He performed miracles and wonders, healed the sick, fed 500 men from a "small basket of cakes," and walked on water.20

• Buddha abolished idolatry, was a "sower of the word," and preached "the establishment of a kingdom of righteousness."21

• His followers were obliged to take vows of poverty and to renounce the world.22

• He was transfigured on a mount, when it was said that his face "shone as the brightness of the sun and moon."23

• In some traditions, he died on a cross.24

• He was resurrected, as his coverings were unrolled from his body and his tomb was opened by supernatural powers.25

• Buddha ascended bodily to Nirvana or "heaven."

• He was called "Lord," "Master," the "Light of the World," "God of Gods," "Father of the World," "Almighty and Allknowing Ruler," "Redeemer of All," "Holy One," the "Author of Happiness," "Possessor of All," the "Omnipotent," the "Supreme Being," the "Eternal One."26

• He was considered the "Sin Bearer," "Good Shepherd,"27 the "Carpenter,"28 the "Infinite and Everlasting,"29 and the "Alpha and Omega."30

• He came to fulfill, not destroy, the law.31

• Buddha is to return "in the latter days" to restore order and to judge the dead."32

In addition to the characteristics of the "teaching/savior god" as outlined above, the Buddhistic influence in Christianity includes: Renouncing the world and its riches, including sex and family; the brotherhood of man; the virtue of charity and turning the cheek; and conversion. That Buddhism preceded Christianity is undeniable, as is its influence in the world long prior to the beginning of the Christian era. As Walker relates:

Established 500 years before Christianity and widely publicized throughout the Middle