< Christians generally are not in the habit of acknowledging external
sources (what more Buddhist elements) in the historical and religious
developments. But lately I notice a healthy openness by Christian seekers
esp towards Buddhist meditation >

The discussion about whether or not Buddhism has influenced the formation of
early Christianity is based upon no solid evidence whatsoever, but rather on
wishful thinking and speculation. We are dealing with a remarkable
convergence, that is all. I am capable of reading New Testament Greek as
well as Hebrew and other semitic languages and I have scrutinized all the
evidence adduced by those who claim that Buddhism has influenced early
Christianity and found that it is based on every conceivable sort of
distortion. I have therefore concluded that there is absolutely no evidence
that would support the idea of Buddhist influence on Christianity. In short,
the two traditions converge.


Best wishes,
Ole Pind


<http://promos.hotbar.com/promos/promodll.dll?RunPromo&El=&SG=&RAND=62897&pa
rtner=hbtools> Upgrade Your Email - Click here!



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]