Contempories: Buddha and Enos of the Book of Mormon

Siddarthra Gautama was a seeker.  He lived 2500 years ago but his experience and thought process parallels that of many sincere seekers in this modern generation–

He grew up in prosperity and abundance, oblivious to the poverty and suffering just beyond the walls of the royal compound.  In a radical move for royalty he ventured out and there he saw death, he saw pain and suffering, and also a wandering ascetic. Disturbed by it all, the great disparities, he left his previous life, including his young wife and two young children, in search of answers to this great dilemma.

Enos was also of royal blood being the grandson of Father Lehi.  He went alone “to hunt beasts in the forests”, an activity that has not been a safe venture for royal princes historically, it was often the place of “accidents” that led to changes in power in the ancient world.  He reports that his “soul hungered” and that he an internal “wrestle” before God for his sins.

Despite their similar predicaments, their conclusions were quite different.  Gautama found enlightenment in the Middle Way, not going to extremes.  He turned away from God, not wanting to touch the subject and focusing instead on a code of behavior: right motives, right speech, right actions, etc.  Enos says he “cried unto [God] in mighty prayer” and in his moment of enlightenment he feels his sins forgiven and his guilt swept away.  Immediately after his experience his thoughts were not inward, checks of his own behavior, but outward, “I began to feel a desire for the welfare of my brethren,” after which he spent his life prophesying, calling the people to turn to Christ.

I have a profound respect for the teachings of the Buddha but I believe, despite having a good code of conduct, he lacked the core, the why, as well as having the order backwards.  The Buddha’s formula is proper control of oneself leads to love of others and a good society.  In the case of Enos receiving the love of God was the prime mover in his change of life.  Filled with that love he was able to turn to his fellow man and give his whole life to the service of others.  It is a fine but profound distinction.

Another Buddhist/ Book of Mormon parallel to consider:

Avolakistevara and the Three Nephites of the Book of Mormon similarly postponing enlightenment or exaltation to stay on earth as charitable servants to bless the lives of the inhabitants of the earth.