If you compare Jesus and Bodhidharma you will be in for a great surprise. Jesus says, "You are the sheep, I am the shepherd and if you get lost I will find you". It appears to those who don't understand to be a great compassionate ideology.
Bodhodharma's statement is, "Buddhas don't save buddhas" .
He is saying you are all buddhas, whether you know it or not - how can anybody save you ? How can one buddha save another buddha ? All that a buddha can do is to wake you up. When you wake somebody up, do you think you are holier and special, and you have done great service to humanity by waking a poor fellow who was sleeping ?
Buddhas don't save buddhas. This is a very pregnant statement. It gives equality to every being. The only difference is ... a few are asleep and are unaware of who they are, and a few have become awakened and know who they are. But essentially there is no difference at all, and there is no question of saving anybody.
BODHIDHARMA
The Greatest Zen Master
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