Buddhism : A Five Minute Introduction To Buddhism

If a Christian follows Buddhist traditions, then one must assume that there is an overlapping of similarities in both teachings; a Christian’s worldview must be complementary to that of a Buddhist’s. Though I am arguing the similarities between Christianity and Buddhism, I do not completely shut down the obvious differences between the two traditions. Christians are devoted the Jesus Christ’s teachings, while Buddhists believe in the Buddha’s teachings. Jesus is God in human form while Buddha was a human being who reached supreme insight under the Bodhi tree. Roderick Ninian Smart, a Scottish writer and university educator of religious studies, argues in his book, Buddhism and Christianity: Rivals and Allies, “Jesus saved humanity through his deeds and death, while the heart of liberation for Buddhists is through the Eightfold Path” He then continues to defend

Christianity and Buddhism are two different religions that developed and spread contemporaneously in during the Classical Period different territories. Both of them share some similarities as well as differences. Both of these religions were founded based upon different principles taught by different people; in Buddhism’s case Gautama Buddha a thinker and in Christianity’s it is Jesus Christ who is a prophet. These two universal doctrines spread in times of chaos, in which citizens of their own territories were looking forward to achieve salvation of any kind. Although alike these two doctrines didn’t have a

The sacred texts of Buddhism and Christianity share many things in common but there are a few differences as well. Christianity has one major text that is pretty well accepted by most of the Christian community. Buddhism has multiple texts that some groups believe are valid and others dismiss. Buddhism is also better able to trace back the origins of their texts whereas Christianity has very little proof of who wrote their books. When it comes to their beliefs however, the similarities and differences are not as clear. Buddhism is very simple in that its goal, at its core, is to eliminate desire and as a result eliminate suffering. Christianity is more complex, but the underlying message is closely related. Christianity speaks about not worrying of earthly things and rather, focus on spiritual wealth by praying, helping the needy, and following Jesus. Buddhism is very similar but is slightly more specific. It teaches not to desire earthly things and follow the eight-fold path to better

In comparing Buddhism to Christianity, Buddhism predates Christianity by 500 years and could have influenced the beliefs that resulted in Christianity. In the Christian faith it is believed that Jesus Christ is the son of God who died for our sins then was resurrected from the dead. Buddhist does not believe in an immortal soul or a supreme being. Christianity believes that there is only one life with one soul, whereas Buddhism believes in countless lifetimes of progression towards enlightenment. Christianity believes in consequences of good and evil, also following the 10 commandments in everyday life. Buddhism follows an eight fold path of universal suggestions to a more content life.

According to Amy Scott Hassenpflug, Aaron D. Traphagem and Jamaica Johnson Conner, authors of Breaking Ground: Keys For Successful Online Learning, “Because your worldview is all-encompassing, it affects your thinking on every aspect of life, from what you view as right and wrong to how you spend your money and your time to what you think politically; it even impacts how you treat others” (p. 82). While Buddhism worldviews focus a lot on karma and rebirth, Christian worldviews tends to turn to God as their higher power. In this paper, I will discuss the similarities and differences between Buddhism and Christian worldviews.

Buddhism is a world religion based on the teachings of Buddha, who was born Siddhartha Gautama in Nepal around 563 B.C.E. and lived in Nepal and India. Siddhartha was a privileged man who withdrew from the world, learned and meditated, and achieved the Enlightenment that made him Buddha. Buddhism has undergone schisms and evolutions but has some core beliefs such as Nirvana, Anatta and Dependent Arising. In addition, the Buddha's teaching centered on the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path to end the cycle of suffering and achieve Enlightenment and Nirvana.

A difference between Christianity and Buddhism is their Spiritual leader. One was Jesus the Christ and the other Gautama Buddha. They were two men who lived at different times, different places, and followed by a different ethnicity and culture as it continues today. As both

"…[T]he Buddhist path can be summed up as: (1) to lead a moral life, (2) to be mindful and aware of thoughts and actions, and (3) to develop wisdom and understanding.”

At first glance the traditions of Christianity and Buddhism appear very different from each other. One centers around a God that was at one time physically manifest on earth in the human form of his "son" Jesus Christ, the other primarily worships a historical figure that gained divine status through enlightenment. This assessment is broad at best, especially in the case of Buddhism where the Theravada and Mahayana traditions differ significantly. Christianity also has division within itself, the most prominent being between the Roman Catholic and Protestant systems. There are however, despite obvious differences, some very interesting similarities between Buddhism and

Christianity and Buddhism are two very prominent religions dating back from early years up until today. Both are offshoots of other religions-- Christianity from Judaism, and Buddhism from Hinduism. The Buddhists follow the teachings of Gautama Buddha, while Christianity is centered upon the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Christianity is monotheistic while Buddhism is nontheistic. Christians believe that Christ is the son of God, while Buddhists do not believe in God as the creator of the universe.

In present-day society, the globalization, briefly including economics, and culture, has become an unstoppable tendency. With its rapid development and cultural communication, some controversies have emerged. Religious conflicts are characteristic examples showing the detrimental influences of cultural globalization. It is generally acknowledged that Buddhism and Christianity are ancient and global religions; however, whether the belief in Buddhism is credible or not, has sparked spirited debate. The Christian believes the Buddha is a “shadow”, and he is not to be believed. Actually, there are some similarities in terms of histories, main figures, and beliefs between Buddhism and Christianity. In order to solve sources of conflict, the

One of the similarities between Christianity and Buddhism is their followers improving their wellbeing by faith. Christianity grows closer to God by

Christianity and Buddhism exist as two of the predominant religions throughout the world. While Buddhism ranks around fifth in the size of religions, it is the third most widespread religion behind Christianity and Islam. Buddhism and Christianity are arrantly distinct in their principle standpoints: Buddhism rejects the existence of a greater being and Christianity proudly professes the power of a universal God. However, despite this rigid dissimilarity, both religions developed and spread with akin practices and messages due to their analogous founders, mother religions with like social significance, and approachable and appealing doctrine.

The pursuit of truths, roads to satisfaction, and the system of values are different goals that people want to aspire to achieve. Religions offer alternative routes to achieve these goals. While there is an abundance of knowledge one can inherit from dissimilar religious groups, it is erroneous for one to assume that separate religions contain the same implications for their followers, and this is certainly the case for Christianity and Buddhism. In fact, an interreligious practice within Christianity and Buddhism cannot be implemented logically, for it breaks fundamental laws from both religions, and therefore this practice is a paradox created by its own title, a “Christian-Buddhist”.

As a Christian you have taken on the likeness of Jesus Christ in the flesh. You are to walk and talk as he did when he walked the earth. But, as a Buddhist, you take on the likeness of a child that did not want to be a “god.” I will talk about the differences between Christianity and Buddhism and then give information on the matters. But, first we will have to understand the formation and beginnings of the two religions.