Zen Buddhist Parables Vs. Biblical Parables

Zen Buddhism Background

• Offshoot of Original (Zen is Japenese version)
• Involves using eightfold path along with four noble truths to reach Nirvana.
• No Inherant Gods.

Christianity Background

• Based off of oneGod.
• Involves using faith in Jesus to reach Heaven

What are Parables?

• Parables are any kind of story in a religion that display a sort of lesson for the audience.

Biblical Parables

• Simple story.
• Used to represent moral/ spirutual lesson.
• Told by Jesus in Gospels.
• Pertained to God and Disciples.

One Example

• Parable #9 — Luke 12:42-48 — Faithful and Wise Servant And the Lord replied, “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master

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• 42 can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there 43 will be a reward. I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of

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• 44 all he owns. But what if the servant thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a 45 while,’ and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant

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• 46 in pieces and banish him with the unfaithful. “And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and 47 doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished. But someone who

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• 48 does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.

Zen Buddhist Parables

• Aka Zen Parables
• Short Story.
• Readers Interpretation(non right or wrong).

One Example

• 19. The First Principle When one goes to Obaku temple in Kyoto he sees carved over the gate the words "The First Principle". The letters are unusually large, and those who appreciate calligraphy always admire them as being a mastepiece. They were drawn by Kosen two hundred years ago. "That is not good," he told Kosen after his first effort. "How is this one?" "Poor. Worse than before," pronounced the pupil. Kosen patiently wrote one sheet after another until eighty-four First Principles had accumulated, still without the approval of the pupil. Then when the young man stepped outside for a few moments, Kosen thought: "Now this is my chance to escape his keen eye," and he wrote hurriedly, with a mind free from distraction: "The First Principle." "A masterpiece," pronounced the pupil.

One Example

• When the master drew them he did so on paper, from which the workmen made the large carving in wood. As Kosen sketched the letters a bold pupil was with him who had made several gallons of ink for the calligraphy and who never failed to criticise his master's work.

One Example

• "That is not good," he told Kosen after his first effort. "How is this one?" "Poor. Worse than before," pronounced the pupil. Kosen patiently wrote one sheet after another until eighty-four First Principles had accumulated, still without the approval of the pupil.

One Example

• Then when the young man stepped outside for a few moments, Kosen thought: "Now this is my chance to escape his keen eye," and he wrote hurriedly, with a mind free from distraction: "The First Principle." "A masterpiece," pronounced the pupil.

The Similiarities

• Both used to express lessons.
• Many lessons included one helping one another which was always possible.

The Differences

• Biblical parables usually had 2 meanings, literal and related to God, Whilst Parables usually had one determined by reader.

Cont.

• Ones related to God displayed his severety or importance of Obedience to him.
• Buddhist parables showed use of compassion and how to share expecting nothing in return.

Cont.

• Even in the examples the contrasts showed.
• The first has a set lesson while different things can be inferred by the Buddhist story.