Interesting parallel between Jesus and the Buddha #3

If someone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also.

— Jesus, Luke 6:29

If anyone should give you a blow with his hand, with a stick or a knife, you should abandon any desires and utter no evil words.

— Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha), Majjhima Nikaya 21.6

Having been raised by and among fundamentalist Christians, I was steeped long in the oft-scalding waters of Christian tradition. I’ve pondered Jesus’ command to “turn the other cheek”, deeply and often.

What the heck does it mean?

The Buddhist phrasing of the principle speaks to me in terms I can begin to understand. I can relate to it as an exercise in letting go one’s desires (in this case, the desire for ego defense and revenge). I can relate to developing self-awareness and self-discipline by letting go of attachments to arbitrary, limiting notions of personal dignity, identity, pride and possessions.

At this point I can’t imagine that I will ever be willing to master this principle, as did Jesus and Gautama Buddha. Some desires and notions I remain unwilling to abandon. For example, I am not willing to abandon my notions of what is enough money and what is not (though I’m satisfied with less now than I used to be). If someone threatened the health or life of a family member or friend, I would not hesitate to protect them by any means necessary. And I am not willing to martyr myself to serve as an example to benighted masses.

That said, I’ve experienced a tremendous sense of liberation by practicing the discipline of “turn the other cheek” with regard to common daily assaults on arbitrary notions of personal dignity, identity, pride and possessions. I will most certainly continue practicing. And if, over time, I develop a still deeper appreciation for the principle of “turn the other cheek,” so be it.

I am grateful for where I am with all of this. I will be grateful for any deeper understanding that may come.