“This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.”
The Dalai Lama
I love this quotation. It would seem unlikely that such a straightforward and simple outlook on life from the top of the world would have anything in common with ancient Greek philosophy. But on the contrary, it has everything in common, and speaks to the better nature of mankind. For kindness, read consideration, thoughtfulness, politeness, friendship and generosity. These were the basic building blocks of Epicureanism, too. Epicureanism doesn’t, like some modern religious sects, consider itself in some kind of daft competition for errant souls.
As fine a phrase as I’ve encountered to describe the business of “saving souls:”
“[A] daft competition for errant souls.”
I fully agree with you. As you have inferred elsewhere, Jesus Of Nazareth would hardly recognise the church as it is today and has been for centuries. From the wealth of the vatican, to the dualistic judgemental thinking of the people, the church falls far short of how he meant us to be. Jesus is recorded as saying “You have heard it said “an Eye for and Eye, and a tooth for a tooth” (one of the strict religioous laws of the time) But I say to you, Love one another, forgive your enemies, feed the poor…” etc. Thats what is required.
Reading about other Teachers and people such as Buddha, Zoroaster, and yes, Epicurus, they all seem to teach the same thing. i.e. Peace, harmony, love; and IF everyone took some notice of that, what a difference it would make in this violent world.!
Ps. Im a Christian who admires Epicurus!