Barlaam and Ioasaph

by John of Damascus

Publishers:

Macmillan Co.; William Heinemann

, 1914

Overview

The Greek legend of Barlaam and Ioasaph, traditionally attributed to St. John Damascene, serves as a re-telling of the life of Buddha through a Christian lens. Although the story’s original plot may have been adapted from Christians of the East for their own use, St. Damascene’s Barlaam and Ioasaph is clearly a celebration of Christian monasticism. The Greek text and the English translation are both provided in this volume, along with an in-depth introduction in which the authors discuss its authorship and more.

Contents

Top Highlights

“For the pathway to virtue is rough and steep, especially for such as have not yet wholly turned unto the Lord, but are still at warfare, through the tyranny of their passions.” (Page 5)

“So the chief became chief again, as he had before been chosen teacher of the whole world, being now become its pattern of penitence. And after his holy resurrection Christ made good this three-fold denial with the three-fold question, ‘Peter, lovest thou me?’, the Apostle answering, ‘Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee.’” (Page 165)

Product Details

• Title: Barlaam and Ioasaph
• Author: John of Damascus
• Publishers: Macmillan Co., William Heinemann
• Print Publication Date: 1914
• Logos Release Date: 2012
• Era: era:byzantine
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Gautama Buddha › Legends--Early works to 1800
• Resource ID: LLS:BARLAAMIOSAPH
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-05-14T20:35:39Z

About John of Damascus

Saint John of Damascus (c. 676 – 4 December 749) was a Syrian Christian monk and priest. Born and raised in Damascus, he died at his monastery, Mar Saba, near Jerusalem. A polymath whose fields of interest and contribution included law, theology, philosophy, and music, before being ordained, he served as a Chief Administrator to the Muslim caliph of Damascus, wrote works expounding the Christian faith, and composed hymns which are still in everyday use in Eastern Christian monasteries throughout the world. The Catholic Church regards him as a Doctor of the Church, often referred to as the Doctor of the Assumption due to his writings on the Assumption of Mary.

Born: c. 676 AD, DamascusDied: December 4, 749, Mar Saba, JerusalemVenerated in: Eastern Orthodox Church, Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Catholic Churches, Lutheran Church, Anglican Communion, Canonized Pre-CongregationFeast: December 4, March 27)