The Buddhist and Christian Faiths

Paper Summary:

This paper briefly discusses the similarities and differences between the Christian and the Buddhist faiths. It looks at the beliefs of each faith separately and then compares their views and teachings and their fundamental beliefs. The paper concludes that both religions believe in the salvation of souls, responsibility for one's actions and the human being's innate capacity and power to do good.

From the Paper:

"Along with these resemblances arise their differences, which indicate the disentanglement of these two religions from each other. Buddha is seen by his followers as a teacher, a human being who never claimed to be God. However, Jesus did claim divinity in His words and miracles, and this was prophesied long before His birth as God and Savior of mankind. When Buddha died, he was cremated like any other Buddhist. When Jesus died, He rose from the dead three days after. In Christianity, priest and preachers teach that Jesus will save us from our sins. In Buddhism, Buddha doesn't claim that he will save his believers from sin, but that he can teach them only how to save themselves. Even though Christianity also promotes non-violence, vegetarianism is not required for Christians. Buddhists and Christians also differ in the manner of shifting beliefs, religions, and worshipped entities. Buddhists show reverence to Buddha by meditating, as they firmly believe that meditating helps enlighten their minds.After all, Buddha himself achieved enlightenment while meditating under a Bodhi tree. Their meditation involves chanting the name of Buddha more than a thousand times a day with the help of a rosary. Christians, on the other hand, worship God by praying. Praying is said to be an attempt to communicate with God, for the purpose of asking for forgiveness, guidance, supplication, or to simply express one's emotions. (Dominguez, 2007)"

Sample of Sources Used:

• "Buddha." Microsoft(r) Encarta(r) 2006 [DVD]. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation, 2005.
• Kung, Chin. Buddhism: The Wisdom of Compassion and Awakening. Taipei, Taiwan: The Corporate Body of the Buddha Educational Foundation, 1999
• Dominguez, Jerome "Buddhism and Christianity." 20, July 2007 <http://biblia.com/theology/buddhism7.htm>

More papers on The Buddhist and Christian Faiths:

• Analytical Essay # 24797 : "The Buddha And The Christ: Explorations In Buddhist And Christian Dialogue"
• Comparison Essay # 91992 : "The Buddhist Way of Life and Death"
• Comparison Essay # 32451 : "The Buddhist-Christian Dialogue"

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