Greetings! Below is another in a series of Sacred Conversations. Words of Wisdom from the Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad.
A serene garden, with the Buddha seated beneath a Bodhi tree, Jesus sitting on a rock, and Muhammad reclining on a prayer rug.
Buddha: I do enjoy our time together contemplating the nature of
existence.
Jesus: Answer me this, enlightened
one. I see you seek answers beyond
the veil of illusion.
Buddha: My brother, Jesus, what question do you have?
Jesus: I’ve been pondering the one some say fell from
grace, the adversary, the accuser, or Satan as he is widely known. Why does he
persist in tempting humanity?
Buddha: Indeed. In my enlightenment, I realized that suffering
arises from attachment, that is attachment to desires, to the ego. Satan
thrives on these attachments, pulling us away from inner peace.
Muhammad: Peace be upon you both. Satan, the whisperer,
roams the earth, sowing discord. His rebellion against God’s will is a tale as
old as time. Yet, he the demon persists to this day reaping the harvest of
sinful seeds.
Jesus: I faced him in the wilderness while fasting for forty
days. He offered power, wealth, and dominion. But I knew his promises were
empty. Love and forgiveness are the hallmarks of the true middle path.
Muhammad: Satan’s whispers have led astray even the most
devout. But Allah is merciful. He tests us, allowing free will. We must resist
temptation, seek refuge in prayer, and stave off the temptations of the evil-doer.
Buddha: The mind is the battleground. Satan’s illusions cloud
our perception. Only by transcending the material world can we break free from
the shackles of bondage.
Jesus: The adversary prowls like a lion, seeking whom he
may devour. But love is the savior that conquers all.
Muhammad: Yes, yes, my brother. “And say, ‘My Lord, I seek
refuge in You from the incitements of Satan.’” We must shield our hearts, and cling
to faith. Satan’s whispers fade before divine truth. That is our strength.
Buddha: Brothers, I have pondered the nature of evil and the existence of Satan. In my teachings, I emphasize the interconnectedness of all beings and the importance of overcoming suffering through compassion and wisdom. I do not believe in a separate entity called Satan but rather see evil as a manifestation of ignorance and attachment within ourselves.
Jesus: I
share your view, Buddha. In my teachings, I have spoken of the devil as a
tempter and an adversary, but I have also emphasized the power of God's love to
overcome all evil. I believe that Satan is not an external force, but rather a
symbol of the darkness that can dwell within our own hearts.
Muhammad: I
agree with both of you. In the Quran, it is written that Satan was created from
fire and is an enemy of humankind. However, I also believe that God has given
us the free will to choose between good and evil and that Satan's temptations
are a test of our faith and obedience.
Buddha:
Indeed. Evil is not something that exists outside of ourselves, but rather a
part of the human condition. It is through our own actions and choices that we
create suffering for ourselves and others.
Jesus: Yes.
Satan is not a scapegoat for our own shortcomings. We must take responsibility
for our own actions and strive to live in accordance with God's will.
Muhammad:
And remember, my brothers, that God is always with us, guiding us and
protecting us from evil. We must never despair, but always place our trust in
His mercy and compassion.
Buddha: Our paths diverge, yet converge. Enlightenment,
salvation, and submission, all lead to the same truth. Satan dances on the edge,
but our souls are eternal.
Jesus: Let us stand united against the adversary. Love,
compassion, and forgiveness are the weapons that pierce his armor.
Muhammad: May our teachings guide humanity toward the light, and may Satan’s darkness be swallowed by the dawn of divine grace.
And so, beneath the cosmic canopy, the three sages the three enlightened beings sat in silence for a while, contemplating the nature of evil and the importance of overcoming it through love, wisdom, and faith.
Not today, Satan. Get thee behind me!
Tom
