Strangers and All Sentient Beings

A comparison of hospitality to strangers in the Bible and the concept of all sentient beings (一切衆生) in Buddhist scripture. We explore how both traditions embrace and treat 'the other who is different from us.'

Welcoming the Stranger

Bible

τῆς φιλοξενίας μὴ ἐπιλανθάνεσθε· διὰ ταύτης γὰρ ἔλαθόν τινες ξενίσαντες ἀγγέλους.

“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”

Sutra

一切衆生病則我病，一切衆生病愈則我愈

“When all sentient beings are sick, I am sick. When all sentient beings are healed, I am healed.”

Comparison

The hospitality of Hebrews and the great compassion of shared being in the Vimalakirti Sutra both deconstruct the very category of 'the stranger.' In Christianity, the transcendent possibility that an angel may be hidden within the stranger becomes the motivation for hospitality. In Buddhism, the ontological insight that self and other are fundamentally one becomes the ground for compassion. Both traditions transform strangeness from a sense of alienation into wonder and empathy.

Love That Crosses Boundaries

Bible

Σαμαρίτης δέ τις ὁδεύων ἦλθεν κατ' αὐτὸν καὶ ἰδὼν αὐτὸν ἐσπλαγχνίσθη, καὶ προσελθὼν κατέδησεν τὰ τραύματα αὐτοῦ ἐπιχέων ἔλαιον καὶ οἶνον, ἐπιβιβάσας δὲ αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τὸ ἴδιον κτῆνος ἤγαγεν αὐτὸν εἰς πανδοχεῖον καὶ ἐπεμελήθη αὐτοῦ.

“But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.”

Sutra

今此三界，皆是我有，其中衆生，悉是吾子

“Now this triple world is all mine, and the sentient beings within it are all my children.”

Comparison

The parable of the Good Samaritan and the parable of the Burning House in the Lotus Sutra both demonstrate a love that breaks down social and ontological boundaries respectively. Jesus emphasizes concrete action that crosses ethnic and religious barriers, while the Buddha extends a universal compassion that encompasses all beings of the triple world as children of one father. Both teachings fundamentally reject the discrimination of 'our side' versus 'their side.'

Universal Dignity

Bible

וַיִּבְרָא אֱלֹהִים אֶת הָאָדָם בְּצַלְמוֹ בְּצֶלֶם אֱלֹהִים בָּרָא אֹתוֹ זָכָר וּנְקֵבָה בָּרָא אֹתָם

“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

Sutra

一切衆生悉有佛性，如來常住無有變易

“All sentient beings without exception possess the Buddha-nature. The Tathagata always abides and never changes.”

Comparison

The image of God (Imago Dei) and the Buddha-nature (佛性) are the ultimate foundations of universal dignity in their respective traditions. In Christianity, the image of the Creator is imprinted on every human being, so no one can be treated carelessly. In Buddhism, the seed of enlightenment already exists within all sentient beings, so no being can be excluded. Both teachings affirm that the dignity of the other is not contingent on external conditions but is inherent in existence itself.