Theos-Talk Archives (July 2004 Message tt00197)

July 15 2004

 

Dear Eric:

 

In ISIS UNVEILED you will find HPB gives us a history of the early life of
Jesus and how Christianity was formed about the Gnostics.

 

One thing quite unusual is her emphasis that Jesus studied under Buddhist
priests (monks) who had established for centuries one of their Viharas
(monasteries) on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

 

The parallels between the sayings of Jesus and those of the Buddh are
compelling. And “Saint Jehosophat” is actually the Buddha. 

 

The parable of the Mustard Seed is Buddhistic. Have you a copy of THE LIGHT
OF ASIA by Sir Edwin Arnold? [Book 5, p. 81-3]

 

----------------------------------

 

“Whom, when they came unto the river-side, 
A woman -- dove-eyed, young, with tearful face,
And lifted hands -- saluted, bending low: 
"Lord! thou art he," she said, "who yesterday 
Had pity on me in the fig-grove here,
Where I live lone and reared my child; but he
Straying amid the blossoms found a snake,
Which twined about his wrist, whilst he did laugh
And tease the quick forked tongue and opened mouth
Of that cold playmate. But, alas! ere long
He turned so pale and still, I could not think
Why he should cease to play, and let my breast
Fall from his lips. And one said, 'He is sick
Of poison;' and another, 'He will die.'
But I, who could not lose my precious boy,
Prayed of them physic, which might bring the light
Back to his eyes; it was so very small
That kiss-mark of the serpent, and I think
It could not hate him, gracious as he was,
Nor hurt him in his sport. And some one said,
'There is a holy man upon the hill --
Lo! now he passeth in the yellow robe
Ask of the Rishi if there be a cure
For that which ails thy son.' Whereon I came
Trembling to thee, whose brow is like a god's,
And wept and drew the face cloth from my babe,
Praying thee tell what simples might be good.
And thou, great sir! didst spurn me not, but gaze
With gentle eyes and touch with patient hand;
Then draw the face-cloth back, saying to me,
'Yea! little sister, there is that might heal
Thee first, and him, if thou, couldst fetch the thing;
For they who seek physicians bring to them
What is ordained. Therefore, I pray thee, find
Black mustard-seed, a tola; only mark
Thou take it not from any hand or house
Where father, mother, child, or slave hath died;
It shall be well if thou canst find such seed.'
Thus didst thou speak, my Lord!"

The Master smiled
Exceeding tenderly. "Yea! I spake thus,
Dear Kisagôtami! But didst thou find
The seed?"

"I went, Lord, clasping to my breast
The babe, grown colder, asking at each hut --
Here in the jungle and towards the town --
'I pray you, give me mustard, of your grace,
A tola -- black;' and each who had it gave,
For all the poor are piteous to the poor;
But when I asked, 'In my friend's household here
Hath any peradventure ever died --
Husband or wife, or child, or slave?' they said:
'O Sister! what is this you ask? the dead
Are very many, and the living few!'
So with sad thanks I gave the mustard back,
And prayed of others; but the others said,
'Here is the seed, but we have lost our slave!'
'Here is the seed, but our good man is dead!' 
'Here is some seed, but he that sowed it died
Between the rain-time and the harvesting!'
Ah, sir! I could not find a single house
Where there was mustard-seed and none had died!
Therefore I left my child -- who would not suck
Nor smile -- beneath the wild-vines by the stream,
To seek thy face and kiss thy feet, and pray
Where I might find this seed and find no death,
If now, indeed, my baby be not dead,
As I do fear, and as they said to me."

"My sister! thou hast found," the Master said,
"Searching for what none finds -- that bitter balm
I had to give thee. He thou lovedst slept
Dead on thy bosom yesterday: to-day
Thou know'st the whole wide world weeps with thy woe
The grief which all hearts share grows less for one.
Lo! I would pour my blood if it could stay
Thy tears and win the secret of that curse
Which makes sweet love our anguish, and which drives
O'er flowers and pastures to the sacrifice --
As these dumb beasts are driven -- men their lords.
I seek that secret: bury thou thy child!"

-------------------------------------

 

I hope this might help

 

Best wishes,

 

Dallas

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Eric 
Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2004 9:34 AM
To: 
Cc: Eric 
Subject: comments on Faith

 

Just a quick note to add my appreciation for Zakk, Dallas and Jerome’s
comments on Faith; for my understanding & acknowledgment of such ideas
attributed to them is not either seen or of physical-touch. Note: the
Gospel of Thomas (non-canonized via KJV-New Testament) also provides
additional commentary of the “Mustard Seed” allegory --- be it more direct
in upper-Galilean Aramaic-thought (near-eastern/-Gnostic) prior to
translation --- regardless, as I’m discovering “Light on the Path” enhances
or encourages similar term-appreciation being more contemporary
associative-communication.

 

 



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]