s may be compared, Prof. Williams refers
the reader to "Seekers after God," by the Rev. F. W. Farrar, and Dr.
Ramage's "Beautiful Thoughts." The same sentiments are to be found in
_Mann_, which, says Prof. Williams, "few will place later than the fifth
century B. C." The _Mahabhrata_, written many centuries B. C., contains
numerous parallels to New Testament sayings. (See our chapter on
"Paganism in Christianity.")

[287:3] Seneca, the celebrated Roman philosopher, was born at Cordoba,
in Spain, a few years B. C. When a child, he was brought by his father
to Rome, where he was initiated in the study of eloquence.

[288:1] Indian Wisdom, pp. 153, 154. Similar sentiments are expressed in
his Hinduism, pp. 218-220.

[288:2] Indian Wisdom, p. iv.

[288:3] Cox: Aryan Mythology, vol. ii. pp. 137, 138.

[288:4] Ibid. p. 131.

[288:5] Williams' Hinduism, pp. 119-110. It was from these sources that
the doctrine of _incarnation_ was first evolved by the Brahman. They
were written many centuries B. C. (See Ibid.)

CHAPTER XXIX.

CHRIST BUDDHA AND CHRIST JESUS COMPARED.

"The more I learn to know Buddha the more I admire him, and
the sooner all mankind shall have been made acquainted with
his doctrines the better it will be, for he is certainly one
of the heroes of humanity."
_Fausboell._

The _mythological_ portions of the histories of Buddha and Jesus are,
without doubt, nearer in resemblance than that of any two characters of
antiquity. The _cause_ of this we shall speak of in our chapter on "Why
Christianity Prospered," and shall content ourselves for the present by
comparing the following analogies:

1. Buddha was born of the Virgin Mary,[289:1] who conceived him without
carnal intercourse.[289:2]

1. Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, who conceived him
without carnal intercourse.[289:3]

2. The incarnation of Buddha is recorded to have been brought about by
the descent of the divine power called the "_Holy_ Ghost," upon the
Virgin Maya.[289:4]

2. The incarnation of Jesus is recorded to have been brought
about by the descent of the divine power called the "Holy
Ghost," upon the Virgin Mary.[289:3]

3. When Buddha descended from the regions of the souls,[290:1] and
entered the body of the Virgin Maya, her womb assumed the appearance of
clear transparent crystal, in which Buddha appeared, beautiful as a
flo