Comparing the Philosophy of Life in Christianity and Chinese 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

According to our text, Huston Smith believed that all religions were essentially the same, whereas Stephen Prothero believes that they are all fundamentally different. These two differing opinions can be looked at further by comparing two of the world religions: Christianity and Buddhism. I believe that all religions are a mixture of both; religions are essentially the same and are also fundamentally different. Christianity and Buddhism both have similar aspects within them, and they have different aspects as well. In order to make sense of the world, one needs to have knowledge of religion and the implications it has on society (Prothero).

Two of the most widely practiced religions around the world today are Christianity and Buddhism. However, they did not start off with such a large following. Christianity, was a small cult that branched off of Judaism and was being strongly prosecuted against. Buddhism was just a single person trying to find a reason for and an end to the universal suffering that he had just newly encountered. Even though the following of Christianity and Buddhism had started off small, by developing their core beliefs as rejections of Judaism and Hinduism, they were able to better fascinate and convert others.

Buddhism, in contrast to Christianity, is a non theistic religion, which originated in India during the 5th century BCE follows Siddhartha Gautama teachings and spiritual practices. Through The Silk Road, merchants and missionaries from South Asia alike spread the religion to China around 1st century CE. The first account of Buddhism in China was recovered by Chinese Emperor Ming saying, “It may be assumed that travelers or pilgrims brought Buddhism along the Silk Roads…” This account is just one of many, and as time passed many more were recorded and documented, and the account marked the spread of Buddhism throughout China. Buddhism offered an great appeal to the people of China, who at the time were in an era of discourse and distress. Its message of peace and harmony seemed like an great escape from their dire circumstances at that point. Zhi Dun, a Chinese scholar talks about the charm that Buddhism has and how if one were to follow Buddha's steps and rules he would, “...behold the Buddha and be enlightened in his sport, and then he will enter Nirvana.” Nirvana for these people was a great comfort, and one they chose to take apart in by converting to Buddhism. The beliefs of Buddhism, like

Religion is a prominent aspect of many people’s lives. Not only does religion provide ethical and moral values, but also acts as a cultural system and often gives people a sense of order in existence. There are many religions across the world, and understanding the characteristics behind each one is important. Religion is intertwined with culture, economics, politics, and modern social relationships on every dimension. Buddhism is a religion that practice and spiritual development leading to insight into the true nature of reality. It's also a major global religion with a complex history and systems of beliefs. Buddhism is based on what the founder believed in, which was that the suffering from people arises from confusion and negative states of mind. Christianity is one of the strongest and perhaps most misunderstood movements in the world. Christianity is a religion based on the teachings and miracles of Jesus.

In the early sixth century Christianity was evolving at a rapid pace. The spread of Christianity was not only moving westward through Europe, but it was also moving eastward down the Silk Road. The eastward spread of Christianity was primarily a form of Christianity known as Nestorianism, after the teachings of Nestorius, a fifth century patriarch. By 635 Nestorian Christianity had reached the heart of China spreading through all of Persia and India. During the middle of the seventh century Nestorian churches were found in cities all along the Silk Road, though there were unquestionably many fewer Christians than Buddhists in Asia

The development of Buddhism across followed natural geographic divisions. Buddhist doctrine and culture spread mostly by the way of trade-routes. During its spread, Buddhism adapted and evolved within different cultures and their existing beliefs. It was one of the keys to the success of the religion. Certain aspects of Buddhism were harmonized with the pre-existing earlier practices, customs, mythologies and tradition. Spirits, deities and divinities from local mythologies and beliefs continue to coexist and were incorporated into the pantheon of the newly formed religion. For examples, in China Buddhism absorbed Taoist elements; in Japan, it

Both Buddhism and Christianity believe in the idea of life after death.While Christians believe in heaven and hell, Buddhists believe in the idea of reincarnation, until reaching nirvana. Although the two religions have different interpretations of the afterlife, they both believe in the concept of life after death. Both Buddhism and Christianity set guidelines to a holy life. In Christianity, the guidelines are set by Jesus in the Bible, while Buddhism’s guidelines are set in a collection of teachings. Through these teachings, the followers of each religion learn

In the world we live in today we are exposed to many religions. Two of the many are Buddhism and Christianity. Although they are religions worshiped by many they are very different. Such as, what is worshipped, how to achieve salvation and the thought of suffering. These are some of the aspects that make these two religions very different.

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

China has been well-known under the name of “The Land of Three Religions”. The three religions are Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. Taoism and Buddhism were wholly Chinese teachings. However, Buddhism was originally from India, but it came to China during the Han dynasty in the 1st century A.D. These three religions accompanied each other. Taoism was given a place on earth, Confucianism was given a place in society and Buddhism was given hope in a future life.

More importantly, the main beliefs in both religions have points in common. Buddhism and Christianity teach people and help them to escape the sufferings, and both of them

I would like to compare Christianity with Buddhism. I will be focusing on the differences and similarities between the two, emphasising on “humans and their condition” and on “destiny.” The Human condition in both religions appears to acknowledge that there is an issue that is found within the person. Buddhist believe that the issue is disillusion in human desire, while Christianity claims the issue is disobedience to God. The story of disobedience is found in Genesis, where Adam and Eve were tempted to eat from the tree which God forbid them to eat. The serpent deceived them into eating the fruit causing them to be enlightened. For their disobedience, God banished them away from the Garden of Eden. Christians believe the humans

Compassion is basically considered to be one of the most virtues in almost all religious traditions such as Buddhism and Christianity. Buddhism and Christianity are two different religions but both of them are interrelated. Both religions have hope of life after death, hope of reincarnation of Buddhists, eternal life of Christians, but live consciously. Both Buddhism and Christianity were founded by spiritual leaders and masters who tried to prove a way of salvation. Based on religious writings, this paper explores the way Buddhism and Christianity are different and in what ways they similar from the point of salvation, life after death, and love.

The United States is very diverse in religious beliefs and practices, and various religious faiths have prospered in the United States. Within the five most popular religions in the United States, Christianity and Buddhism are found. There are millions of people around the world participating in these religions, but one might be question the similarities and differences between the two. Many similarities are found such as the importance of a spiritual master, shared values, and followers that strive for spiritual perfection. However, Christianity and Buddhism also have many differences in views of God, salvation, and reincarnation.