It is this openness, denial of the ego-soul, and pacifist roots that perhaps provide a deeper understanding of the teachings of Jesus Christ. To deny oneself, blessed are the poor, to set the captives free, we are made perfect in our weakness -- is this not the kingdom? Can this kingdom be understood from a western context immersed in geopolitical power?
My recent study of faith has taught me how our identity is shaped by our race, gender, nationalism, culture, and social economic status. These factors have a significant impact on how we think and view our world. By denying our own ego soul, Buddhism seeks to rise above these cultural influences. Is this not the path of Jesus Christ and his calling to us. Could it be that the creator and creation are meant to be as one--in intimate connection, inseparable, and indistinguishable from one another. Could it be that our implicit trust and belief in the existence of our own ego-soul is sin's power over us.
Buddhism starts from the pretext of denying the most important aspect of our identity--our own ego soul, and in doing so, may open a genuine understanding of the kingdom that Jesus proclaimed.
Am I a cup already full?
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