Comparing Buddhism And Christianity In The Parable Of The Prodigal Son

These two religions had very different concepts about divinity, Christians believed in one only merciful god, while Buddhists believed in Buddha’s divinity known as enlightenment and his teachings. Christians had a very complex concept of what divinity is, they believe in only one god who can be manifested in three different ways, as God himself, throughout his son Jesus

One of the main similarities between Buddhism and Christianity is their belief in a spiritual master. Buddhists believe the story of the Buddha. Buddha was born as Siddhartha Gautama and became the Buddha though out his life after being awakened. “Siddhartha was born the son of a prince of the Shakya tribe... Legend says his mother, Maya, dreamt that a white elephant entered her side—this was the moment of conception of the future Buddha—and that Siddhartha was born miraculously from her side” (Molloy 124-25). After witnessing the Four Passing Sights, Siddhartha devoted his life to reaching spiritual enlightenment.

Between the two religions they both had a different start. Buddhism started when Siddhartha Gautama, who previously lived a rich and luxurious lifestyle, decided to make a change in his life. He wanted to be able to feel pain and suffering that was felt all around the world by everyone else. After being able to find it, he decided to try and find a cure for it through meditation. Siddhartha Gautama, otherwise known as Buddha created the “Four Noble Truths,” as well as the “Eightfold Path” to help people live a peaceful life. Buddhism was modified later on to create three main versions of the religion which are Theravada, also known as the “Way of the Elders” or the “Small Vehicle.” Mahayana Buddhism, which was called the “Great Vehicle” and finally Tibetan Buddhism which also goes by the “Diamond Vehicle.” Yet Christianity formed in a different way,

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.

5. Destiny – Christians believe everyone will either spend eternity in heaven or hell depending on if you accept Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Buddhist do not believe our destiny is controlled by a God. They believe that the things we do not bring either good or bad karma, which determines who we will be when we go through the cycle of reincarnation.

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

Even though the religions are based on entirely different things, there are still some aspects of both religions that are similar. One area of comparison of the two religions is the people or gods that they believe in. Buddhism does not believe in God, but treats the Buddha, Bodhisattvas and other Buddhist masters like they are gods. Bodhisattvas are monks that are able to reach enlightenment, but delay their ability in order to help others reach enlightenment.

In this way Christians must strive to imitate the Heavenly Father by following the example of Jesus the Son of God. God gives the individual one life to prove that they are worthy of eternal life. In contrast, the Buddhist religion, life is relived over and over as it is only the separation of the mind from its body. "one life ends and another begins p.92" Therefore in contrast to Buddhism, Christianity does not accept the notion of reincarnation which provides the evidence that there are fundamental ideological differences between the two religions.

Christians also believe in such polarities as good and evil, God and Devil, Heaven and Hell -- none of which form an important part of any Buddhist teachings. Christianity is likewise authoritarian and dictatorial -- "you must believe this or you will be condemned" -- whereas Buddhism tends to be more liberal and allows people to believe more or less whatever they like. Christians ban certain teachings as heretical, evil and harmful, but

The second major difference is the incentive for not doing evil in life. For a Buddhist, the reason why one does not harm other beings, for example, is that it will affect your karma. For a Muslim, it is more of because Allah will punish bad deeds and reward good ones. The ultimate goal in both religions also differ, Muslims' are to go to heaven, whereas Buddhists' are to attain nirvana. The Buddha also said that the human self has no atta (soul) in contrary to Muslims.

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.

Rave The major difference between Christianity and Buddhism is that Buddhism is based upon life and the teaching of Gautama Buddha whereas Christianity is based upon the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The places of worship are different because the Buddhist have temples, shrines etc. whereas Christians have Churches, Chapel etc. There daily practices are different as well because the Buddhists Meditate and do a lot more things than the Christians do.

The world has many different belief systems including Christianity and Buddhism. Both are similar and different in many ways. These religions are used in different places around the world and influenced the lives of its followers and the society in which they are practiced. Christianity is more diverse and complicated in its beliefs and totally depends on faith. In contrast, Hinduism is a belief more based on the simplicity of culture and tradition.

Hindus believe in the four stages of life, but the Buddha do not share that believe. Whereas the Buddhists believe in the concept of Bodhisattvas, or the enlightened existence, but the Hindus do not. Buddhists must believe that the Buddha, Sangha, and Dhamma are the three most important requirements on the eightfold path, or the principal teachings of the Buddha. Hinduism has many different paths of self realization. Both religions believe in karma and reincarnation, but their terms and conditions vary, different in as many ways as they are similar. Buddhists have no priests or rituals like the Hindus do. Also, in the Buddhist religion, any follower than achieve Nirvana, but in the Hindu religion, only the Brahmins, or priests, could achieve moksha, the Hindu equivalent of Nirvana. Another large difference is that Buddhists do not believe in the Caste System, a main factor in Hinduism. This is one of their largest differences. Hinduism does not know their original creator, unlike most other religions; they’ve lost any information about their founder over the many years, whereas the Buddhists know their creator, Buddha. Buddhism is a much younger religion than Hinduism. The two religions are very much different.