This is absolutely wild. Ancient Greek Buddhists
@holon42 I know that Jesus being influenced by Buddhism was a theory that was all over my pre-seminary studies back in College.
I first read the Dhammapada when I was 21 or 22, and carried a copy in my pocket for years.
yes, it's been touted for quite awhile.
i encountered buddhism young as well, at 19, in Vancouver's Yoga Vedanta bookstore. at that point i was living hippy style.
@holon42 It was one of my first refuges when I left the evangelical church and has been a part of my life since.
It's only been recently, through the help of people like @Vozy talking with me that I've realized that I can fully embrace the philosophy while holding on to my own faith.
It has actually led me to a renaissance in my faith practice, as well as my day to day life.
yes.
i was raised Catholic, and have over the years worked my way through many belief systems in reading and studying, including two decades of in depth study of Catholic traditions.
buddhist practice opens the mind to the power of metaphors and myths while avoiding becoming possessed by them.
one can then fully appreciate their beauty and depth.
and daily life becomes transformed.🙏🏻✌🏽
@holon42 Thank you for sharing your journey with me. Truly, it is valued and treasured.
as is yours. the journey is long and sometimes dangerous. it's good to encounter others on the pilgrimage.🙏🏻 thank you.
@NiveusLepus
yes, it's the case. there was a lot of travel and traffic to and from the far east in the ancient world. they were quite cosmopolitan.
i've been convinced for quite awhile that Jesus encountered these teachings somewhere, and had a lived experience that he was trying to bring to his people.
he didn't have to travel far to meet buddhist practitioners.