Introduction
Religion is an integral part of humanity’s spiritual life. However, the three most widespread religions in the world are Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism. It is essential to note that I support the Christian faith and adhere to its fundamental beliefs. In this way, Buddhism and Christianity are among the world’s major religions. This implies that they are not limited by the boundaries of one ethnic group or country but are spread among many peoples on several continents. Therefore, it is essential to compare the fundamental beliefs of Buddhism and Christianity.
Historical Background
Buddhism, among the three world religions, is chronologically the oldest. This is because Buddhism emerged in the 6th century BCE in the Indian subcontinent (D’Costa & Thompson, 2017). The religion’s founder is Siddhartha Gautama, the son of the Raja of one of the minor Indian principalities. He later became known as Buddha, which means enlightened or wise.
The difference between Buddhism and Christianity is that Christianity appeared significantly later, specifically in the 1st century after the birth of Christ. This religion was named after Jesus Christ, who preached a new faith in the territory where the state of Israel is now located (D’Costa & Thompson, 2017). However, it is incorrect to consider Jesus Christ as the founder of the religion, as from the point of view of Christians, he was the son of God.
Analysis
The differences between Buddhist and Christian doctrines are considerable. Christianity, one of the so-called Abrahamic religions, emerged from the ancient Jewish religion, particularly Judaism, and was considered a Jewish religion in its early period of history (D’Costa & Thompson, 2017). Abrahamic beliefs are those based on an ancient spiritual tradition. Meanwhile, the basis for Buddhism was Hinduism, an ancient Aryan religion.
Furthermore, Christianity and Buddhism are ascetic religions because they have an ancient and well-developed monastic tradition that preserves their doctrines and religious practices. At the same time, the foundation of Christianity is the worship of God and the observance of His commandments. Jesus is the son of God, and Christians have not unanimously decided whether his nature is divine or human. Moreover, in Christianity, there is the concept of the Holy Trinity, which is represented by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (D’Costa & Thompson, 2017).
In contrast, Buddhists do not discuss the existence of God. Buddhists declare the existence of a single law governing the universe; having comprehended it through purification and self-improvement, a person becomes a Buddha and is freed from the cycle of reincarnations (samsara) (D’Costa & Thompson, 2017).
Finally, Buddhists, unlike Christians, in principle, reject any killing, even for food and protection. Moreover, Buddhism is highly tolerant of various cults, readily acknowledges the existence of many gods and spirits, and does not prohibit its followers from praying to them or making sacrifices (D’Costa & Thompson, 2017). On the other hand, in my religion, Christianity, there is only one God, and there is a commandment according to which humans should not create other gods.
Significantly, Christianity and Buddhism recognize that the present state of the human world and people is not normal. Suffering, disease, death, and evil are all abnormal and need to be addressed. However, Buddhism cannot explain the reasons for this abnormality (D’Costa & Thompson, 2017). That is because the concepts of reincarnation and karma do not address this question; they merely divert attention from it.
Based on these ideas, it is possible to assert that individuals suffer for the evil they committed in a past life. However, these notions are powerless when the question arises as to where evil itself originated in the world. On the other hand, Christianity acknowledges and openly addresses the causes of these global abnormalities. God created the world perfectly, but the first pair of people misused their freedom and violated God’s will; that is, they sinned (D’Costa & Thompson, 2017). Therefore, that sin created various afflictions in human life.
Conclusion
Thus, Christianity originated in the 1st century after the birth of Christ and is part of the Abrahamic spiritual tradition. In contrast, Buddhism originated in the 6th century before Christ and is based on Hinduism. The fundamental religious concept of Buddhism asserts that God does not exist; there is a principal law of the evolution of the world, which can be comprehended by becoming a Buddha, as a result of which a person breaks the ring of samsara. Instead, in Christianity, God is the creator of all existence.
Most Christian churches recognize the concept of the Trinity, which comprises God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, Christianity allows killing animals for human food and protection, while Buddhism does not accept it. Meanwhile, Buddhism and Christianity recognize the present state of the human world and that people suffering and getting diseases are not ordinary. Although Buddhism cannot explain the reason for this natural process, Christianity interprets it as a punishment for the first human sin. In this way, these two religions are opposite.
Reference
D’Costa, G., & Thompson, R. (2017). Buddhist-Christian dual belonging: Affirmations, objections, explorations. Taylor & Francis.