Buddha, Jesus and Muhammad

This cool, clear-sighted comparative study has no theological axe to grind. It offers a trusty thematic guide to the figureheads of three of the largest religions in the world.

• The comparative approach is descriptive and even-handed, highlighting both similarities and differences across a range of major areas.
• The thematic chapters cover: early life, followers, the core message, political attitudes, relations with women, and death.
• The engaging writing and descriptive approach make this an ideal text for students, instructors and general readers.

Preface ix

Notes xiv

Maps xv

1 Sources 1

The Delay in Writing 1

Gospel Portraits 6

Qur’an, Sira and Hadith 11

Observations 16

2 Context 23

The Ganges Plain 23

Roman Palestine 28

Arabia Deserta 34

Observations 37

3 Early Years 44

Heir to the Throne 44

Son of the Carpenter 49

Orphan and Merchant 54

Observations 58

4 Turning Point 65

The Four Sights 65

Waters of the Jordan 71

Night of Power 75

Observations 80

5 Message 88

Four Noble Truths 88

Kingdom of God 94

The Straight Path 100

Observations 106

6 Miracles 114

Iddhi 114

The Finger of God 118

One or Many? 122

Observations 127

7 Followers 134

The Third Jewel 134

The Twelve Disciples 141

Companions 147

Observations 154

8 Women 163

The Renunciation 163

Eunuch for the Kingdom 168

Mothers of the Faithful 174

Observations 179

9 Politics 185

The Enemy Within 185

Messiah 191

Ruler of Arabia 196

Observations 204

10 Death 212

The Blacksmith’s Meal 212

Cross and Tomb 218

In ‘A’isha’s arms 226

Observations 230

Conclusion 238

Further Reading 245

References 251

Index 255

Paul Gwynne is Lecturer in Comparative Religion in the General Education Program at the University of New South Wales, Australia, where he is also affiliated to the Law School. He has taught theology and religious studies in Jogjakarta, Indonesia, and Melbourne, Australia. Dr Gwynne is the author of World Religions in Practice: A Comparative Introduction (Wiley-Blackwell, 2009), and Special Divine Action (1996).

This engaging and fascinating study compares the life and teaching of the Buddha, Jesus and Muhammad, the founders of three of the largest religions in the world. It explores how their lives, attitudes, and teachings, now followed by half of the world’s people, relate to one another.

Despite the vast literature on each figure, there are surprisingly few comparative studies, making this insightful book ideal for those studying comparative religion. The author’s descriptive and context-rich account illuminates key themes – political and historical, as well as religious – that established the impact and long-lasting effect of each figure. Fascinating similarities and differences are explored between the Buddha, Jesus and Muhammad, enriching our understanding and dispelling myths about both the individual figures and the nature of religion.

"Gwynne's judicious use of comparative method sheds light on each of the chosen subjects, who have rarely been treated together in this way, drawing on the three religions' own sources to give vivid accounts of their origins and contemporary relevance. It is the perfect antidote to the antagonistic atmosphere created by the 'New Atheism', but it also offers much food for thought as these three traditions dominate the world scene."
—John D'Arcy May, Trinity College Dublin and Australian Catholic University, Melbourne