The buddha was not a god and the philosophy of buddhism does not entail any theistic world view. Ill pass back and try to formulate what i have learned from buddhism and what i think can make for a retrieval and a deepening of christian belief. I am about to compare two entire religions, that is two entire belief systems that certain individuals have devoted their entire lives towards. A comparison of christian faith and buddhist faith by paul roberts i would like to explain the difference between christian faith and buddhist faith. Buddhism is a philosophy of life expounded by gautama buddha buddha means enlightened one, who lived and taught in northern india in the 6th century b. We use your linkedin profile and activity data to personalize ads and to show you more relevant ads.
Concept of god this is how imagination and humanism eventually fused together to become religion. Narada maha thera a manual of buddhism kalhanas rajatarangini m. Central to buddhism is the impermanence of all things and the doctrine of no distinct and enduring self in existence. It is less complicated to find the diversities in these mostly dissimilar beliefs. Differences between buddhism and christianity biography. An annotated comparison of biblical christianity with selected other belief systems james r.
Jesus christ is the savior of humankind according to christian belief. Buddhism vs christianity as mentioned before, we shall find out what is the difference between buddhism and christianity. The basic doctrines of early buddhism, which remain common to all buddhism, include the four noble truths. Judaism often recognizes jesus as a good teacher, and perhaps even a prophet of god. It would be doing hinduism an injustice to reduce its theology and philosophies to a scope that would be required to truly offer a comparison with christianity. Buddhism vs christianity essay example 1051 words bartleby. In the old testament, god appears as a dispenser of divine justice, this is a concept largely absent in buddhism. The history of buddhism goes back to what is now bodh gaya, india almost six centuries before christianity, making it one of the oldest religions still being practiced the origins of christianity go back to roman judea in the early first century. However, calling buddhism a philosophy is pretty accurate. Buddhism is a religion based on the teachings of siddhartha gautama, who was born in the fifth century b. Judaism does not believe that jesus was the messiah. Religion was the result of the fusion of moral behaviour and belief in the supernatural. Pdf comparing christianity and buddhism gideon kombe.
Without buddha i could not be a christian columbia university. Brief overview both buddhism and christianity are prevalent and recognized religions known all throughout the world. Comparing and contrasting buddhism with christianity. With about 470 million followers, scholars consider buddhism one of the major. This was a critical question for me and is for many westerners when i first came to shin buddhism. Similarities between zoroastrianism and christianity. For example, we believe that jesus is god, who died so that we might be cleansed of our sins and enjoy eternal fellowship with god in his heavenly kingdom. The books will be contributions to various aspects of the continuing dialogues between religion and philosophy, between scepticism and faith, and between the. A moral comparison between christianity and buddhism. Comparing christianity and buddhism the task at hand is quite impossible, especially in a tenpage paper. These issues are truly mindboggling and emotionally draining since this subject has been one of the taboo topics in the world. Joshua joshua hudson is a license clinical social worker with post graduate certificates in mental health. Jan 02, 2020 why should i consider becoming a christian.
Its a belief system that many feel can help them detach, maintain. Some years ago l attempted to compare african traditional religion, judaism, christianity and islam, and it can be a good food. Stein if you are caught excessively commenting, being disrespectful, insulting. They do not mingle with other christians, maintaining that they possess the truth and have no interest in ecumenism. In lieu with that, this article aims to lighten the confusion brought about by. But this mere logomachy does not alter the essentials of the opinion, which most of us have seen in one form or another for a great many years past. Christianity, islam, and judaism are three of the most influential world religions in history. Traditional buddhism is a religion marked by individual effort, while salvation for christians focuses on gods grace. Buddhist and christian beliefs christian research institute. Shah jain study center of north carolina 401 farmstead drive, cary nc 275115631 email. Further, human sin and the need for salvation are viewed far differently in buddhism, which sees no need to be saved from sin and does not believe in a. While avoiding the appearance of saying christianity is right and buddhism is wrong, we can simply point out the glaring differences between the two religions. Its followers, called christians, often believe christ is the son of the holy trinity and walked the earth as the incarnate form of god the father.
Difference between religion and christianity difference. Indeed, buddhism cannot possibly allow for such a gods existence. Comparing and contrasting confucianism with christianity. Despite surface level nonscholarly analogies, buddhism and. With about 470 million followers, scholars consider buddhism one of. Christianity vs hinduism difference and comparison diffen.
Christianity, was a small cult that branched off of judaism and was being strongly prosecuted against. Hinduism stands for the faith and the way of life of most people who live in india. Both meditation and service form salient characteristics of buddhism. Christianity on the other hand has firm beliefs of sins that are punishable by separation from god the creator. Christianity and islam are the two largest religions in the world. Hinduism is the third largest religion in the world, following christianity and islam. However, christianity and buddhism conceive of life after death in very different forms. The beliefs of christianity and buddhism 1987 words 8 pages. But some more recent researches date zoroastrianism to around 1200 b. Buddhism is a religion that was founded by siddhartha gautama the buddha more than 2,500 years ago in india. First, while both christianity and buddhism have an historical central figure, namely jesus and buddha, only jesus is shown to have risen from the dead. Is the buddhist concept of zen compatible with the.
Many, especially in new mexico, are familiar with the teaching and conditions of christianity, beginning the creation of the heaven and earth, and coming to an end with the death of jesus, these teachings are taught weekly through mass. Christianity and buddhism are two of the most popular religions in the world. The incompatibility between christianity and buddhism is further postulated in the beliefs and practices about food and eating. Theres much talking about religions and faith in the world today. Hinduism, buddhisma and christianity linkedin slideshare. When we speak of christian belief or buddhist enlightenment, it is senseless to point to similarities or parallels in the two reli gions, or to engage in mutual. Christadelphians hold several beliefs that differ from traditional christian denominations.
Comparing and contrasting confucianism with christianity jesus and confucius. Christianity broadly consists of individuals who believe in the deity jesus christ. Christianity by evidence to believe examining the fundamental differences of buddhism vs. Members of this religion do not vote, do not run for political office, or engage in war. Buddhism is a nontheistic religion or philosophy, i. Since the arrival of christian missionaries in india in the th century, followed by the arrival of buddhism in western europe in the 18th and 19th centuries, similarities were perceived between the practices of buddhism and christianity. Compare christianity, islam and judaism religionfacts.
Christianity the foundation of buddhism is based upon personal mental anguish and guilt if committing a wrongdoing. Pdf christian and buddhist approach to religious exclusivity. The buddha dharma, or buddhist teaching, begins with human suffering and ends with human suffering. Buddhism is a religion founded by siddhartha gautama buddha between the sixth and fourth centuries bce. Differences between buddhism and christianity biography online. The christian religion also answers the last question of how human beings are. We human beings cannot save ourselves, because all of our attempts to do so are caught up in the sinfulness from which we need to be saved. Among all the buddhas teachings, those on the nature of the self are the hardest to understand, yet they are central to spiritual beliefs. Compared with buddhism, christianity has several distinguishing features that show that it deserves consideration. The most obvious reason is the belief of christians that there is a divine creator, whereas buddhism does not believe so.
In fact, many religious historians believe that this belief was the prime reason that originally motivated people to create religions. To illustrate the similarities and differences between these religions, the following charts compares the origins, beliefs and practices of christianity and islam. The buddhist core values and perspectives for protection. Both christianity and buddhism offer their followers a concise list of moral directivesthe ten. Some of the significant differences between buddhism and christianity god. She is the author of rethinking religion and has covered religion for the guardian, and other outlets. Someone who believes in jesus christ and follows the religion based on his teachings. Examining the fundamental differences of buddhism vs. In this case, christians are told of final judgment and eternal life to the righteous. The popular appeal of buddhism today is one of coolness,tolerance, and nondissention. Buddhism vs christianity difference and comparison diffen.
The mind is neither physical, nor a byproduct of purely physical processes, but a formless continuum that is a separate entity from the body. A graduate of the university of pittsburgh, he has worked as an healthcare advocate for the department of veteran affairs, director of psychological health for the air force, inpatient counselor for inpatient adolescents, child and family therapist. Christianity is clear that a personal god exists but he is to be the only object of worship. Comparison between buddhism and christianity comparison essay sample samples comparison comparison between buddhism and christianity buddhism and christianity are different religions with numerous similarities as well as differences that one might find really interesting to look at in details. However, as you suggest, the fact that buddhism has no gods or god renders it more of a way of living, or a psychology of a healthy life, whereas, christianity espouses a deity, which means that. To some people buddhism appeals because of its promises of calm and enlightenment where traditional creationist christianity has come to be intellectually regarded, by many, as having been discredited by the challenge of alternative explanations of human existence such as the darwinian theory of evolution. However, they did not start off with such a large following. Introduction to basic beliefs and tenets of buddhism. An annotated comparison of biblical christianity with. Similarities between zoroastrianism and christianity although these are two different religions, they have many things in common. The beliefs of the hindus is very different then that of christians.
The four canonical gospels date from around 7090 ad, the pauline epistles having been written before them around 5060 ad. Tribal forms of religion do not offer salvation in another world nor a judgment on the universal moral quality of life in this world based on those beliefs. The comparative study between hinduism and buddhism. Buddhism is christianity, and buddhism is better than christianity, and christianity will never be itself until it is enlightened enough to become something different. The goal of buddhism is the relief of human suffering. I am taking for granted that certain historical shifts did take place with regard to these paradigms, within. Buddhism is not a commonly know, again, especially in new mexico. Every human being, on matter to what country he belongs, or what language he speaks, or what religion he professes, has but one universal problem, namely, overcoming evil or mental.
Barbara obrien is a zen buddhist practitioner who studied at zen mountain monastery. Jan 28, 2009 we use your linkedin profile and activity data to personalize ads and to show you more relevant ads. Since buddhism does actually have a clear belief system on the afterlife, i would say it is more than a way of life or lifestyle as some people say. Hinduism is a religion with many beliefs and practices, so offering a comparison of christianity and hinduism is challenging. Earlier in my life 197685, i too had embraced the christian. Some people say that it is difficult to believe that any god created religion. Comparison of religions eastern indianhinduism, buddhism, and jainism and western judaism, christianity, islam religions pravin k. Buddhism is centered upon the life and teachings of gautama buddha, whereas christianity is centered on the life and teachings of jesus christ. Orthodox judaism is included as representative of judaism since, as with hristianity, there are a number of streams or movements within that religion.
You can scroll right to see more columns, but youll probably have to use a larger device to have a decent view of. He came to be called the buddha, which means awakened one, after he experienced a profound realization of the nature of life, death, and existence. A comparative analysis of buddhism and christianitypart ii. One definition of philosophy from is the rational investigation of. While judaism isnt as large as christianity and islam, its impact on the world has still been as profound. Christianity teaches that jesus was god come in human form john 1. Its a belief system that many feel can help them detach, maintain neutrality, and find peace in a world of injustice and suffering.
It is unknown where hinduism was started and by whom. During the 20th century the differences between these two belief systems were also highlighted. Buddhism is centered upon the life and teachings of siddhartha gautama, who came to be known as the buddha the enlightened one, or one who is awake whereas christianity is centered on the life and teachings of jesus christ. Religion and christianity have had people debating over their interconnection.
Buddhism and christianity society of gilbert keith chesterton. They reject the trinity doctrine and believe that jesus christ was a man. Beliefs and practices in ancient india there was no reason at all for the buddha to introduce another religion because at that time 2600 years ago there were already 62 religious cults in india alone. The beliefs of the hindus is very different then that of christian s. It is my observation that if christianity, specifically orthodox. Essay on comparing christianity and buddhism 1675 words. Everywhere you look, you will find people that are indifferent about god and faith, you will find people that are obsessed with antireligion propaganda and you will find people that live their lives according to what they believe and what they proclaim. Buddhism ontario consultants on religious tolerance. Christianity teaches that god became a human being in the person of jesus christ so he could lay down his life to pay. Pdf buddhistchristian interfaith scholars1 are quick to denounce what they perceive as. For catholics, both faith and ones ongoing works, or actions, are important for salvation. The teachings of the buddha are aimed solely at liberating sentient beings from suffering. Christianity and buddhism, taking the word paradigm to refer to an organic complex of beliefs, values and techniques focusing on the biological and psy chic human individual whom we call here the self. Do no evil, that is, be not a curse to oneself and others, was the buddhas first advice.
Comparison between buddhism and christianity comparison. There are inherent and fundamental differences between buddhism and christianity, one significant element being that while christianity is at its core monotheistic and relies on a god as a creator, buddhism is generally nontheistic and rejects the notion of a creator god which provides divine values for the world. The similarities between zoroastrianism and christianity. Christianity is a monotheistic religion and believes that christ is the son of god. Christianity and buddhism, and also make people understand their respective religions at the same time, for the audience here is both buddhist and christian. My mother thought the major article in the newsletter would prove what she had been saying for nearly 30 years that the differences between buddhism and christianity are insignificant compared to what they. Christianity the popular appeal of buddhism today is one of coolness, tolerance, and nondissention. Now it is a strange fact that buddhism and christianity, consti tuting together. Among the baganda and and africans, some priests and priestrasses lived a celibate life just like the roman catholic church and partly by. Since some background knowledge of rebirth and karma is useful for understanding buddhism, there now follows a brief introduction to these topics taken from geshe kelsangs book, eight steps to happiness. Apr 07, 2009 a few months ago my mother sent me a monthly newsletter that the san jose buddhist church distributes among its members.