Merry Christmas Buddha?

Often, but especially at this time of the year, I have people ask me whether I celebrate Christmas, or what significance Christmas, and consequently Christ, has for and/or in Buddhism -- if any.
Perhaps one needs to approach this question slightly differently. Why does Christ, and consequently Christmas, have such an enormous impact or influence in our lives. For that matter, why does the year 2000 have such apparent value or significance? It is all based on the Christian calendar. And Christianity, after all, is only a minority religion!!!

By minority is meant that according to the latest records, only a third of the total global population, namely two billion, actually proclaim to be Christians, and consequently other religions like Muslim, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, etc. not to forget atheists of course, have a much greater following in terms of sheer bodies (people), existence (age) and support, collectively. Singularly the next largest in number is the Islamic belief with a following of 1.2 billion adherents. These figures of course are only approximate estimates, and also, the figure for Christians includes the full ‘Christian Family Tree’, namely Anglican, Catholic (Roman and all Orthodox included), Evangelical, Jehovah’s Witness, Amish, Protestant, 7th Day Adventist, Vineyard churches and many more.

So, how did Christianity together with all its pagan festivals get to have so much power? When examining various issues and concepts more closely, especially in this capitalistic and monopolistic world that we are living in, it should soon become clear what really matters to most (and really absolutely most ) people, and what comes off second best. In our present day and age there are two fundamental predictors or dictators, namely ones which get sung about a lot. NO, love is not one of them. It is something far greater and much more significant, since after all, it is able to make the world go round.

MONEY! “It’s a gas”, as Pink Floyd said in their song of the same title. Or as someone else put it, “Money talks, Bulldust walks!” And the other one is of course directly related in our materialistic world, namely control, power, glory. Control, power and glory are generally viewed as belonging to one and the same, and all of them are these days seen as being synonymous with achievement. If you have a lot of money, wealth, material possessions, then you must have achieved something. Depends of course on your outlook, definition or understanding of achievement.

Money and power is what most countries use, in one way or another, to control the destiny of its inhabitants on a global scale. These days it is politely referred to as economics, and there are some fantastical derivatives of this, e.g. economic empowerment, power base, economic viability, and it carries on and on. But as long as one remembers that these are just terms or words to describe something else, you are fine. They are all inherently empty! And why should one remember that they are empty? Well, come the day that your consciousness goes to the in-between bardo, it does so alone. And suddenly all material possessions have to be left behind and we see them for what they truly are, namely just another attachment we had.

But this is all digressing a bit now, so to get back to money, power and glory, one begins to realise that the general consensus is that as long as you are dealing with something tangible, like gold, diamonds and hard currency, then it is real and a force to be reckoned with. But, anything non-tangible, like thoughts, knowledge and wisdom, are insubstantial and thus not readily negotiable. And how does this tie up with the power of the Christian calendar? Well, it seems most predominantly Christian countries were the pioneers in terms of modern technology. They are the ones who also initially sent out explorers, to ‘discover’ new land and in the process also try to enforce their religion upon whomever they might encounter.

And I suppose hand in hand with this, the modern western world became materialistically orientated. Every ‘new’ country or land they came upon was then subjected to their ideas, ideologies and concepts. Thus also the calendar as we know it today. Many other religions have had their Y2K a couple of hundred years ago already, since they do not start counting from the birth of Christ. Well, where then does this leave Christ in the Buddhist concept of things?

I think most Buddhist schools, or paths and traditions, accept that Christ did live, that he did many wholesome deeds, and consequently they recognise him for that. Though they do not see him so much as the son of God, since in Buddhism there is no place for God as a supreme creator and ruler, they do acknowledge him as a Bodhisattva. By definition a Bodhisattva is a being which is enlightened, or which leads others towards enlightenment. And if the Bible is anything to go by, then Jesus Christ most certainly attempted to lead everybody that he came into contact with towards enlightenment.

Even if his teachings have not been disseminated the way he may have liked to have seen happening, they were predominantly based on tolerance, loving kindness, patience and compassion, charity and to respect all living beings impartially – all concepts which Buddhists should feel quite at home with. It is because of the all the good he did, the things he stood for, and the way he conducted himself, that he is recognised as a spiritually advanced and/or elevated being. Thus, Jesus Christ is there among all the many other Bodhisattva’s, whether it be Green Tara, Quan Yin, H.H. the Dalai Lama in the Buddhist teachings, or Florence Nightingale, Mother Theresa or Pope John Paul whatever in other beliefs. They are all recognised for their unflinching, selfless contributions in trying to help suffering sentient beings, and accepting all living beings, regardless of age, nationality, sex, skin colour, social standing or wealth, etc. as being one.

So you do not have to feel uncomfortable about celebrating Xmas as a Buddhist, it is totally acceptable if done in the right light. But do try to remember though that, now more than ever, the act of giving gifts or presents is a symbolical gesture that is supposed to encompass sharing, charity, kindness and many other wholesome aspects, and not a reflection of personal wealth. The cost and size of the gift is of less significance than the intention and emotion with which it is given.

(initially written 12/1999)

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