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.
11 comments ↓
[...] a recent post I compared the seeker experience of Siddartra Gautama before he became known as the Buddha, “The Enlightened One” and Enos, the third writer [...]
Very interesting post. I hadn’t stopped to consider the parallels between these two people.
Thanks for coming by Dan! There are some interesting parallels, a simple blog post does not do the comparison justice.
Unfortunately, I think you misunderstand the Buddha’s teaching and this comparison is ultimately, flawed. The “Middle Way,” is so much more than simply “not going to extremes.” It’s about acceptance of the Now, the present, the Being-Awareness that exists in every moment - it is not something “bestowed” when one is “forgiven.” Imo, that’s what the Buddha discovered that day… he found bliss within and not from “effort.”
More importantly, a concept, no matter how profound is STILL just a concept. Inherently flawed by nature. Believing in any concept leads to imprisonment. At most, concepts can point the way. Ultimately, like the Buddha, you’ll have to find your answers deep within.
And, seriously, remember that there are many paths up the mountain - there is a place for the outward focus of the man you site, Enos. There is also a place for the inward journey, as advocated by the Buddha. Each person must determine which path leads to the greatest sense of inner peace. To say one way is better than the other is to remain bound in duality.
Break free of all concepts and then see if any of them matter. Duality is the illusion that keeps suffering humming along. As Byron Katie says… you can be “right” or you can have peace. Which is more important?
Hi April, you’re right that my treatment of Buddhism is not complete particularly in such a surface comparison. However, I would disagree with your statements about ‘right’, absence of concepts, and ‘greatest sense of inner peace’ as the highest ideal. There can be right and truth and I believe the teachings of Buddha preach right and wrong. I find the ideas of the Buddha to be just as much “concepts” as other interpretations of life and philosophers. And while I agree that inner peace is a universal desire and a common characteristic of truly enlightened individuals I find it to be an outcome of love rather than the goal itself. I believe if peace comes in isolation it is hollow and selfish. I therefore find love to be the ultimate truth. Fundamentally we are bound to disagree as our base assumption is so different, I personally do not believe God to be a concept but instead a being, a person, and personality.
You’re right - we are at a fundamental impasse. I am so blown away by your belief in God as a person, a personality, I cannot wrap my head around how to respond.
Even as a young child, something deep told me otherwise - God could never be that small. That limited. It was as if the Universal finger was constantly pointing back at me… Turns out the “God” I sought “out there” was the fathomless perfect stillness “in here.”
Claiming that peace found in isolation is hollow and selfish is the HEIGHT of selfish thinking… this is how wars start. Why the Muslims fight the Christians, etc., etc.. It’s the philosophy of: My way is better than your way.
Good luck with that.
Oh but April…. God is soooooo musch more than that. God is not limited as you say. He is limitless, omnipotent, omniscient, and infinite. Yet, he can connect with us. How can you connect with a large misty something or whatever… the stillness inside… Can that understand you? Can that change to suit your needs at any given time?
God created us in his own image… we are his children. He created everything. does your ’stillness’ have any kind of intelligence to it?
I cant fathom trying to live without the knowledge that God loves me, and understands me. THAT is what peace is… The greatest power in all the universes knows me, and loves me, and wants to bless me and help me to return to him. That is true peace. Peace in knowing that love can be exhorted by God for me. Love being the ultimate truth, as dave said.
Can your “God” love you?
In answer to your question, “Can your ‘God’ love you?”
This question is the very point I was trying to address. Inherent in this question is the belief in duality. God is “out there” and you are some where else… trying to “get back to him.”
It has been my experience that there is only Oneness. God can’t love me because I am love. God is love. We are one. The more the veils of ignorance dissolve in the face of THAT, the more love I feel.
You refer to stillness as a misty kind of unintelligent, nothingness. And in a way, that is true. It is NO THING that the mind can think of. How can it conceive of something beyond itself? It can’t. The best it can come up with is a ‘misty nothingness.’ A pretty shallow image, but that’s the best it can do.
And yes, the stillness very much understands me! It accepts me completely. I don’t have to be a good girl or say my prayers to feel loved. I don’t have to help an old lady across the street or tithe or anything. I have incredible freedom because I accept everything. And the everything accepts me. Is me.
In turn, my heart opens ever more… making acts of kindness much easier. Or sometimes not. Stress and fear just point me deeper within. It’s the concept of God that is limited. If you believe that God is everything, including you, then we are in agreement.
I think Buddha is not a true god.He can`t stay alive 2500 years.The true gods are Jesus Christ and Allah.Buddha can`t have 6 arms, he can`t be the most powered gods because he have 6 arms he have a lot of people who belive in him.
CONCLUSION:Buddha is NOT a true god
Theodore, nobody has ever said Buddha is God or a god. Not even Jesus and Allah are considered gods! The discussion is about the guideline of those religions. Read with more attention, in order to understand the core of the discussion, and not expressing misleading opinions.
Buddha , Jesus, Allah, Also before times many god are true Gods.
You can know in the love and real knowledge. This is not difficult if you got into pure heart and pure mind.
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