A Brief Comparative Study of Buddhism and Christianity

Whether the human specie are so helplessly in need of guidance from a certain being that is both intellectually and physically superior is yet to be proven, but the long existence of religion and their undeniable influence on the human course would certainly raise some curiosity on that matter. It is probably safe to say that all major religions today prescribe a way of life to their followers; each tries to answer the most troubling question of all: what is the meaning of our existence—why do we exist? And it is interesting to see the difference and similarities in their answer.

Take Buddhism as an example, the teaching of Shakyamuni Buddha is essentially revolving around the Four Noble Truths: first of all, life is but suffering. Birth, disease, aging, death are all inevitable suffering. The origin of suffering converges to human desires; unsatisfied desires cause suffering. But these suffering can be eliminated if one realizes the cause and is willing to rid himself/herself of desires. In order to achieve that, as the fourth noble truth teaches, one must follow the Noble Eightfold Path, or the Middle Path. Similarly, Christianity warns people of the worldly evils: decadence in morality, continued warfare, prolonged famine, greed, hypocrisy… and the cause is the imperfection in human beings. Human beings are helplessly born to be sinners; we all had inherited sin from Adam and Eve. But there is hope; there is love. God had sent his son, Jesus Christ, to resurrect the sinners. As he died, he had paid the full ransom to our sins. To be saved in Christianity is rather simple: whoever has faith in Christ, his/her sin is forgiven. The future is bright and concrete for those “saved”: a waiting heaven and the loving God. In contrast, the “resurrection” in Buddhism is rather complicated and hard to achieve. As specifically prescribed in the Noble Eightfold Truths, in order to achieve nirvana (the end of reincarnation or Samsara), one must has the right understanding (of Buddhist teachings), the right thought (or determination to pursuit the truth), the right speech (abandoning false or harsh words), the right action (good or moral behavior), the right livelihood (or right vocation), the right effort (to rid oneself of evil thoughts), the right mindfulness (to keep oneself in strict compliance to the Buddhist way of life), the right concentration ( to attain perfect wisdom). The final stage in the Buddhist “resurrection” leads to enlightenment or nirvana. An enlightened one will escape the law of karman, and therefore the endless suffering. But the what happens in the parinirvana (the stage after the death of the enlightened one) stage is not as “practical” or concrete as the awaiting heaven in Christianity, the dharma does not specifically describe the form of parinirvana.

The other notable difference/similarity in the two religions has to do with the role of God. Both religions have a central figure, Shakyamuni Buddha in Buddhism and Christ in Christianity. The difference is that Christians believed that God is the creator, a somewhat personified being that has some human characteristics: loving, forgiving, anger, etc. The Buddha, on the other hand, is not God. The existence of God is not important in Buddhism, since the law of karma puts human beings in a ever-revolving cycle; there is no beginning and there is no end.

In summary, Christianity seems to be more “practical”, whereas Buddhism more “intellectual/philosophical” and abstract; Buddhism stresses on individual enlightenment, Christianity encourages active involvement in group worship; Christianity speaks of love and hope; Buddhism concentrates on suffering and escaping from suffering.