“Have this mind in you”: A study of the relationship between pauline christology and the Tathdgatagarbha tradition of Mahayana Buddhism

Abstract

This study of the interrelationships between the doctrine of Christ in the New Testament writings of St. Paul and the Buddha-nature (Sanskrit: Tathdgatagarbha) tradition of Mahayana Buddhism attempts to bring out some areas of potentially fruitful dialogue. In particular, three strands of parallel use of imagery emerge: the Buddha-nature is referred to as the “Truth-body” of the Buddha (dharmakdya) "when not free from the store of defilement.” As such, the Buddha-nature is seen as the ultimate truth/way of all things, yet hidden by, for example, greed, hatred, and delusion. It is the disguised support of samsara and nirvana, the cyclical world of appearances and the ultimate release from all delusion. This is compared with Christ as the Wisdom of God holding all things in being yet “secret and hidden,” ceaselessly active in the world yet undefiled.