Religion Comparison

A Buddhist parable, also known as Zen Parables. A Zen parable is a short story open for interpretation by the reader or listener. There is no right or wrong interpretation as each person hearing it will interpret it from the perspective of his or her own life and circumstances.

Biblical Parables are a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson, as told by Jesus in the Gospels.

Jesus' parables have a double meaning. First, there is the literal meaning, apparent to anyone who has experience with the subject matter. But beyond the literal meaning lies a deeper meaning – a beneath-the-surface lesson about God's truth and his kingdom.
In Zen parables there is no right or wrong interpretation as each person hearing it will interpret it from the perspective of his or her own life and circumstances. The intention of a Zen parable is to help us to understand that the meaning and answers
to life are really very simple and quite often right in front of us.

Zen Buddhism - Japanese offshoot of traditional Buddhism. Questioned intellectualism of traditional Buddhist forms.

The Eightfold Path

• Wisdom
• Right View
• Right Intention
• Ethical Conduct
• Right Speech

The Eightfold Path Contd

• Right Action
• Right Livelihood
• Concentration
• Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration
• No Mind  - The way to Enlightenment

The 4 noble truths

• Life means suffering
• The Origin of suffering is attachment
• The cessation of suffering is attainable 
• The path to the cessation of suffering

A parable is a word-picture which uses an image or story to illustrate a truth or lesson. It creates a mini-drama in picture language that describes the reality being illustrated.

Jesus' parables have a double meaning. First, there is the literal meaning, apparent to anyone who has experience with the subject.

Jesus used simple stories or images to convey important truths about God and his kingdom, and lessons pertaining to the way of life and happiness which God has for us.

Buddha told a parable in a sutra:

A man traveling across a field encountered a tiger. He fled, the tiger after him. Coming to a precipice, he caught hold of the root of a wild vine and swung himself down over the edge. The tiger sniffed at him from above. Trembling, the man looked down to where, far below, another tiger was waiting to eat him. Only the vine sustained him.

Two mice, one white and one black, little by little started to gnaw away the vine. The man saw a luscious strawberry near him. Grasping the vine with one hand, he plucked the strawberry with the other. How sweet it tasted!

The Severity of God

On the other hand, the parables often illustrate the severity and wrath of God in the coming judgment, at which all who have not responded to his mercy will be cast out from his presence.

EXAMPLE: The parable of the unforgiving slave illustrates the mercy and severity of God (Mtt 18:23-35).

The Importance of Obedience

Obedience to God is important, indeed essential, even though our works by themselves can never make us worthy of his blessings. God requires obedience of us, and repentance from disobedience, if we are going to be saved by his grace.

EXAMPLE: The parable of the two sons illustrates the importance of obedience rather than lip service (Mtt 21:28-32).

Comparisons

The difference between the Biblical and Buddhist Parables were that of. In the Buddhist parables they show compassion, with out feeling vengeful. And how to share without expecting to receive something in return. And see other people's true intentions even when they don't see them in themselves. Whereas in the Biblical Parables If you did something wrong it was basically the end of the world for you. It's like if you did something you are basically worthless now.


A similarity I noticed in all of the parables was that of help. People can help anyone and anything no matter what they have done or whatever.