The Jesus Sutras

[Ishraqiyun]

Anyone else do any reading on the so called "Jesus Sutras" ? These are early Chinese Christian texts (of "Nestorian" origin) that make use of Taoist and Buddhist language and philosophy to make Christianity understandable to the Chinese. The dates range from 635-1000AD. I had to pick up some books on this topic because not only am I fan of many of the Nestorian mystics like Isaac the Syrian and Simeon of Taibutheh but I've also had a great love for Chinese philosophy and religion. Apparently as time went on the Christians further assimilated the elements of Buddhism and Taoism that were most congenial to Christian teaching. Often we see Christianity more through the lens of Greek thought and philosophy so it's cool to see an Eastern take on Christ. In China Christianity came to be known as the Luminous Religion or the Religion of Light.

The Lost Sutras of Jesus: Unlocking the Ancient Wisdom of the Xian Monks




I just bought this ^ and will post some excerpts from it when I get it.

 

[Ishraqiyun]

Here is another related book for those who are interested:

The Secret Sayings Of Ye Su: A Silk Road Gospel

"The Secret Sayings of Ye Su: A Silk Road Gospel" provides a translation of, introduction to, and commentary upon an extraordinary, previously unknown manuscript. This Christian gospel, though written in koine Greek, was obviously influenced by both Buddhist and Daoist ideas and probably derives from Tang dynasty China (8th or 9th century). The account of how the manuscript emerged in 1994 and how it came to be translated by Dr. Jay G. Williams is, in itself, quite fascinating. The author also describes the nature of the text and why he thinks it should be placed in the Tang dynasty period. He provides a concise introduction not only to the history of Buddhism and the indigenous religions of

 

[Ishraqiyun]

This webpage has a good three part article on the Jesus Sutras
The Jesus Sutras (Part 1): Introduction



Here is a description of the beginning from one of these writings:

In the beginning was the natural constant, the true stillness of the Origin, and the primordial void of the Most High. Then the spirit of the void emerged as the Most High Lord, moving in mysterious ways to enlighten the holy ones. He is Joshua, my True Lord of the Void, who embodies the three subtle and wondrous bodies, and who was condemned to the cross so that the people of the four directions could be saved.
​

And another one:

He beat up the primordial winds and the two vapors were created. He differentiated the gray emptiness and opened up the sky and the earth. He set the sun and moon on their course and day and night came into being. He crafted the myriad things and created the first people. He gave to them the original nature of goodness and appointed them as the guardians of all creation. Their minds were empty; they were content; and their hearts were simple and innocent. Originally they had no desire, but under the influence of Satan, they abandoned their pure and simple goodness for the glitter and the gold. Falling into the trap of death and lies, they became embroiled in the three hundred and sixty-five forms of sin. In doing so, they have woven the web of retribution and have hound themselves inside it. Some believe in the material origin of things; some have sunk into chaotic ways; some think that they can receive blessings simply by reciting prayers; and some have abandoned kindness for treachery. Despite their intelligence and their passionate pleas, they have got nowhere. Forced into the ever-turning wheel of fire, they are burned and obliterated. Having lost their way for eons, they can no longer return.

​

This Sutra explains the services the Religion of the Light Church can offer:

To penetrate the mysteries, to bless with a good conscience, to be great and yet empty, to return to stillness and be forgiving, to be compassionate and to deliver all people, to do good deeds and help people reach the other shore—these are the great benefits of our path of cultivation. To calm people in stormy times, to help them understand the nature of things, to maintain purity, to nourish all things, to respect all life, and to answer the needs of those whose beliefs come from the heart—these are the services the Religion of Light Church can offer.
​

 

[Ishraqiyun]

Imagine all the destructive heresy hunts, inquisitions, witch burnings, crusades and such could have been prevented if Western Christians had embraced this teaching from the Chinese Christians :

"The fourth is no absolute . Don't try to control everything,
Don't take sides in arguments about right and wrong.
Treat everyone equally, and live from day to day.
It’s like a clear mirror that reflects everything anyway:
Green or yellow or in any combination-
It shows everything, as well as the smallest of details.
What does the mirror do? It reflects without judgment."

 

[Hoshiyya]

Imagine all the destructive heresy hunts, inquisitions, witch burnings, crusades and such could have been prevented if Western Christians had embraced this teaching from the Chinese Christians :

"The fourth is no absolute . Don't try to control everything,
Don't take sides in arguments about right and wrong.
Treat everyone equally, and live from day to day.
It’s like a clear mirror that reflects everything anyway:
Green or yellow or in any combination-
It shows everything, as well as the smallest of details.
What does the mirror do? It reflects without judgment."

Is it absolutely true that there are no absolutes, as a friend of mine might say ?

 

[gord44]

Interesting stuff Ish. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Ishraqiyun]

I don't believe the intent of that statement was to say that there are no absolute truths. It was more about behavior rather than epistemology. The three before that were "no doing", "no wanting", and "no piousness":

Now, what are the Four Essential Laws of the Dharma?
The first is no wanting . If your heart is obsessed with something,
It manifests in all kinds of distorted ways.
Distorted thoughts are the root of negative behavior . . .

The second is no doing. Don't put on a mask and pretend to be
what you’re not . . .
The effort needed to hold a direction is abandoned,
And there is simply action and reaction.
So walk the Way of No Action.

The third is no piousness. And what that means
Is not wanting to have your good deeds broadcast to the nation.
Do what's right to bring people to the truth
But not for your own reputation’s sake.
So anyone who teaches the Triumphant Law,
Practicing the Way of Light to bring life to the truth,
Will know Peace and Happiness in company.
But don't talk it away. This is the Way of No Virtue.

 

[Ishraqiyun]

Those four commandments seem to teach ways a person can live a life of selflessness and overcome the need for ego assertion. They seem conducive to a calm and tranquil mental state. The "no absolute" one appears to be a warning against the egotism of being a disputatious know it all or setting oneself up as the judge of others. See my quote from huineng for example. Instead Christians are supposed to work on the log in their own eye. They are supposed to be able to see someone disagree with then without feeling a slap to their ego or the need to win some argument. I don't see it as a rejection of the very idea of truth which would make their whole endeavor and religion kind of pointless.