Religious historians compare Jesus and Buddha
By Daily Bruin Staff
May 20, 1996 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 21, 1996
Weekend conference explores similarities between two faithsBy
Jennifer Louie
Daily Bruin Contributor
Out from the shadows of a time when religion was banned from
UCLA years ago, members of the Center for the Study of Religion are
making an effort to provide its study with a more welcoming
reception from the campus.
Members of the center boasted of a successful first year, filled
with 25 colloquia for faculty and graduate students, lectures and
one-day conferences focusing on a variety of topics ranging from
early female Christian martyrdom to Islamic and Western
mysticism.
The center wrapped up its first year with an in-depth dialogue
Sunday in Dodd Hall comparing the historical Gautama Buddha and the
historical Jesus. More than 100 people from the campus community,
Los Angeles and beyond turned out for the conference.
Speakers gave varied reasons for focusing on that particular
topic. Some said the dialogue was simply to promote a mutual
understanding between Buddhists and Christians so both groups would
understand both their own faith and the faith of another tradition
more deeply.
"There is never going to be peace in the world unless there is
peace between religions. As long as there is misunderstanding among
religions, there will be alienation and tension," said Scott
Bartchy, a UCLA history professor.
Bartchy added that the dialogue was presented in an academic
form to show that it was not an attempt at promoting
propaganda.
Other speakers related reasons for the conference’s choice of
topic to the large Asian population in the United States and the
Los Angeles area and its correlation to Buddhism.
"The city of Los Angeles has been a site in which Buddhists from
all over the world have assembled. Buddhists have become a very
vital part of the religious composition of the community," said
Christopher Chapple, a professor of theological studies at Loyola
Marymount University.
"There is also an extensive Christian community within the
community. It’s important for the two groups to know of each
other’s background," Chapple explained.
The dialogue included seven speakers, covering topics related to
gender, Jesus and Buddha as teachers and the extent of
interpretational freedom. Speakers included a panel of scholars
from other universities, such as Cal State Northridge and
Northwestern University as well as UCLA.
One subtopic the conference explored was the significance of
honor for men. Bartchy explained how Jesus of Nazareth defined
"blessed/honored" men as merciful and peacemakers  they
discipline themselves to be chaste in thought as well as deed, and
should use their power to serve and honor others.
While Bartchy represented the historical Jesus’ perspective
related to gender issues, Chapple, spoke on the historical Buddah’s
perspective.
Chapple explored the role of women in the early Buddhist
tradition and how they influenced the religion. He focused on three
female converts to the Buddhist faith: Bhadda Kundalakesa, Subha,
and Visakha.
The discussion concluded by posing the question of whether
comparing the historical Buddha and Jesus of Nazareth was futile or
not. But the presence of the more than 100 audience members was
answer enough for the organizers.
Though members of the center said they were pleased with the
conference, they said they will continue with their ultimate goal
to establish a department for the study of religion.
