Service and the Bodhisattva Path

A comparison of the Bible's service (diakonia) and the bodhisattva path of Buddhism. We explore together the teachings of both traditions on lowering oneself and dedicating oneself for others.

The Model of Service

Bible

εἰ οὖν ἐγὼ ἔνιψα ὑμῶν τοὺς πόδας ὁ κύριος καὶ ὁ διδάσκαλος, καὶ ὑμεῖς ὀφείλετε ἀλλήλων νίπτειν τοὺς πόδας· ὑπόδειγμα γὰρ ἔδωκα ὑμῖν ἵνα καθὼς ἐγὼ ἐποίησα ὑμῖν καὶ ὑμεῖς ποιῆτε.

“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.”

Sutra

以一切眾生病，是故我病。若一切眾生病滅，則我病滅

“Because all sentient beings are sick, I am sick. If the sickness of all sentient beings is extinguished, then my sickness will be extinguished.”

Comparison

Jesus's foot-washing and Vimalakirti's compassion of one body both show the essence of service as 'descending to the place of the other by lowering oneself.' Jesus came down to the place of a servant and washed the disciples' feet; Vimalakirti takes on the illness of sentient beings in his own body. Service in both traditions is not benevolence but self-emptying — not giving from a position of height but being present from a position of lowliness.

Living for Others

Bible

μηδὲν κατ' ἐριθείαν μηδὲ κατὰ κενοδοξίαν, ἀλλὰ τῇ ταπεινοφροσύνῃ ἀλλήλους ἡγούμενοι ὑπερέχοντας ἑαυτῶν, μὴ τὰ ἑαυτῶν ἕκαστος σκοποῦντες, ἀλλὰ καὶ τὰ ἑτέρων ἕκαστοι.

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Sutra

恒順衆生，隨喜功德，常隨佛學，普皆回向

“Always accord with sentient beings; rejoice in merit together; always follow the Buddha in learning; and universally dedicate all to others.”

Comparison

Philippians' 'counting others more significant than oneself' and Samantabhadra's vows of 'according with sentient beings and universal dedication' both teach a life lived for others, transcending self-centeredness. In Christianity, one humbly serves others in imitation of Christ's self-emptying; in Buddhism, one practices a life of dedication that turns even one's own merit over to sentient beings. Both traditions testify with one voice that a life oriented toward others through self-transcendence is the core of spiritual maturity.

The Meaning of Sacrifice

Bible

καὶ γὰρ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου οὐκ ἦλθεν διακονηθῆναι ἀλλὰ διακονῆσαι καὶ δοῦναι τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ λύτρον ἀντὶ πολλῶν.

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Sutra

菩薩摩訶薩以大悲心，不惜身命，施諸衆生

“The great bodhisattva, with a heart of great compassion, does not spare his body and life but gives to all sentient beings.”

Comparison

Jesus's self-sacrifice in Mark and the bodhisattva's sacrifice in the Jataka Tales both show the extreme service of offering even one's own life for others. Jesus gave himself as a ransom for many on the cross, and the bodhisattva from past lives has not spared his body and life for sentient beings. In both traditions, the ultimate service is an expression of love and compassion that transcends even the instinct for self-preservation, and through this sacrifice other beings obtain life and freedom.