Buddhism vs Christianity
There
are some points of contrast between the two teachings Buddhism and Christianity:
1. Theravada
Buddhism leaves God out of the picture, but Christian faith begins and ends
with God.
2. Gautama the Buddha disclaimed divinity. But
Jesus claimed divinity the Son of God, the second Person of the Triune God.
3. Gautama
the Buddha said that he found the way and shows the way. Jesus Christ said that
he is the way the truth and the life.
4. The
mission of Gautama is to teach the Bhrama, but of Jesus Christ is to save mankind
from sin and death.
5. Buddhism
stresses anicca, the impermanence of everything even the life after. Christian
belief stresses the unchangeable God and the life everlasting in the unshakable
kingdom.
6. Buddhism
is man-centered that to achieve nibbana is only done by self-effort.
Christianity is God-centered; salvation is God’s gift through Jesus Christ,
receiving by faith.
7. Buddhism
stresses non-soul, anatta but Christianity believe that man has eternal spirit.
8. The
basic problem in Buddhism is dukkha, suffering that is caused by karma. The
basic problem in Christianity is sin caused by free will.
9. According
to Buddhism, the origin of man is unknown (Samyutta Nikaya 15:1:1 and Slutta
nipata). According to Christianity, the origin of man is God that he created
man in his own image.
10. According
to Buddhism, man is involved in an endless cycle of rebirth. But the Bible says
that man is destined to die once and after that to face judgment (Heb. 9:27)
11. The
goal of a Buddhist is nibbana, non-being. But the goal of a Christian is
everlasting life to dwell with God in the kingdom of God.
12. In
Buddhism, one cannot escape from karma, the law of harvest. In Christianity
there is the forgiveness of sins for those who repent from their sins and turn
to God.
There
are some similar points in Buddhism and Christianity such as
(a)
As Buddhism stresses anicca, (impermanence) Christianity also emphasizes the
impermanence of the world and worldly things as well as the physical life of
man.
(b)
Both faiths uphold high standards of ethics.
(c)
Both faiths commend love for others and reverence for life.
(d)
Both faiths emphasize meditation and self-discipline.
(e)
As Buddhism teaches the elimination of all desires, Christianity teaches the
submission of natural desires and cleansing from unholiness.
(f)
Both faiths speak of inner peace.
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