The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Influence of Buddhism on Primitive Christianity, by Arthur Lillie

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Title: The Influence of Buddhism on Primitive Christianity

Author: Arthur Lillie

Release Date: February 9, 2015 [eBook #48220]

Language: English

Character set encoding: UTF-8

***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE INFLUENCE OF BUDDHISM ON PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY***

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THE INFLUENCE OF BUDDHISM
ON
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY

By the same Author,

BUDDHISM IN CHRISTENDOM.

"The most learned, thoughtful, and thought-provoking work which has yet appeared on this momentous question.... I read the book from cover to cover with much interest."—Truth.

"The present work is of the profoundest interest, and is certain to command attention in all future discussions of the subject with which it deals.... It is exceedingly ably written."—Scotsman.

"The relation of Essenism to Buddhism is here dwelt upon with some fresh illustration of the probably Indian origin of the Therapeuts of Alexandria. Mr. Lillie's chapters on ritual and observances are rendered attractive by a number of interesting illustrations."—Athenæum.

"Discusses the influence which Buddhism has had on Christianity. The admission that there is any relationship at all between the two will be vehemently denied by many good people, but no one can impartially and fairly study Mr. Lillie's book, examine his evidence, and give due weight to his arguments, without admitting that the connection not only exists but is an intimate one."—Evening Standard.

Also,

THE POPULAR LIFE OF BUDDHA.

"Contends that the atheistic and soulless Buddhism was drawn from the 'Great Vehicle,' which was a spurious system introduced about the time of the Christian era, whereas the 'Little Vehicle,' compiled by Asoka, contained the motto, 'Confess and believe in God.' There are a large number of passages drawn from the sacred books, which tend to prove that Mr. Lillie is right in his theory of Buddhist theology. Even Dr. Rhys Davids admits that the Cakkavati Buddha was to early Buddhists what the Messiah Logos was to early Christians. 'If this be so,' as Mr. Lillie is justified in asking, how can an atheist believe in a 'Word of God made flesh?'

"Mr. Lillie thus sums up the originalities of the Buddhist movement:—Enforced vegetarianism for the whole nation; enforced abstinence from wine; abolition of slavery: the introduction of the principle of forgiveness of injuries in opposition to the lex talionis; uncompromising antagonism to all national religious rites that were opposed to the gnosis or spiritual development of the individual; beggary, continence, and asceticism for religious teachers."—Spectator.

"Contains many quotations from the Buddhist religious writings, which are beautiful and profound—a most readable book."—Saturday Review.

"Our author has unquestionably the story-teller's gift."—St. James Gazette.

THE
INFLUENCE OF BUDDHISM
ON
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY

BY
ARTHUR LILLIE
AUTHOR OF "BUDDHISM IN CHRISTENDOM," ETC.

LONDON
SWAN SONNENSCHEIN & CO.
NEW YORK: CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS
1893

PREFACE.

A volume that proves that much of the New Testament is parable rather than history will shock many readers, but from the days of Origen and Clement of Alexandria to the days of Swedenborg the same thing has been affirmed. The proof that this parabolic writing has been derived from a previous religion will shock many more. The biographer of Christ has one sole duty, namely, to produce the actual historical Jesus. In the New Testament there are two Christs, an Essene and an anti-Essene Christ, and all modern biographers who have sought to combine the two have failed necessarily. It is the contention of this work that Christ was an Essene monk; that Christianity was Essenism; and that Essenism was due, as Dean Mansel contended, to the Buddhist missionaries "who visited Egypt within two generations of the time of Alexander the Great." ("Gnostic Heresies," p. 31.)

The Reformation, in the view of Macaulay, was the struggle of layman versus monk. In consequence, many good Protestants are shocked to hear such a term applied to the founder of their creed. But here I must point out one fact. In the Essene monasteries, as in the Buddhist, there was no life vow. This made the monastery less a career than a school for spiritual initiation. In modern monasteries St. John of the Cross can dream sweet dreams of God in one cell, and his neighbour may be Friar Tuck, but to both the monastery is a prison. This alters the complexion of the celibacy question, and so does the fact that the Christians were fighting a mighty battle with the priesthoods.

The Son of Man envied the security of the crannies of the "fox." He called his opponents "wolves." His flock after his death met with closed doors for fear of the Jews. The "pure gospel," says the Clementine