Buddhism And Christianity. A Buddhist’s Point of View.
by The name says it all. Read on it is short.
references:
Buddhism: philosophy (system, technique) of becoming a Buddha.
Buddha: a person (not a god) that has reached the state of Nirvana.
Nirvana: absolute stability of the mind.
Now. Buddhism is a harsh philosophy. There is no help from no one. In Christianity there is a symbol of God: unconditional love, ever helpful, ever watchful, every where and always right – the source of never ending support and loneliness eliminator. At the end tho, both B. & C. are about becoming a better homo sapience. Human beings are strange creatures: we have the ultimate brain (mind/intellect/intelligence or as Christians call it – soul), that is not found anywhere else in animal kingdom of planet Earth and possibly in the whole universe. It really is a wonderful machine (Christians would say magical), unfortunately we don’t know how to use it. It is a tragedy. There is ALWAYS dissatisfaction, we just can’t get full, it doesn’t’t matter what it is we r consuming (food, goods, sex, knowledge, beauty, love), fulfillment only lasts for a little while. Mind, great but restless, always pushes us to get more. That creates fear and suffering (that we also consume and can not live without). Forever hungry, we roam around as an all consuming super virus looking for its next victim. (With science and technology developing as never before, we are dangerous to existence of life itself, at least on our planet). How we came to be, were we created by God or nature, ultimately doesn’t matter. What to do with our selves (the meaning of life) is the problem. To solve this problem in Buddhism one must reach Nirvana. In Christianity one must surrender himself to God. Both philosophies require determination, time, strong will, ability to develop. One can reach God only by following His word. God said (and I am NOT a scholar on exact phrasing but what was said I do understand): I am everywhere, I am everything, love me, understand that I am the ruler not you, do what I said and if you do (and it is not easy), I will give you everything you want:
heaven. Buddhism has the same understanding minus the symbol of God: everything is everything, life is beautiful, everything belongs to everyone, one is a part of everything, no fight is necessary: just learn to enjoy it. Unfortunately in Christianity one can get it all just by believe: there is eternal life, one just has to wait a bit (80 years compared to infinity is nothing but a spec of dust). This is one of the fundamental differences between B. & C. The idea of “God the giver” is overwhelming to the common man. It suppose to give one strength, but it is SO GOOD it takes the strength away. Buddhism doesn’t contradict the existence of God, heaven, or immortality of the soul (mind), but it is understood that before questions of such magnitude are comprehended or even discussed, one must reach a certain level of understanding of reality: reach Nirvana. Heaven may exist, it may not, but one thing is for sure: one will not reach it, unless one achieved Nirvana while on earth and alive.
The essential book of Buddhism:: The Dhammapada (23 pages of pure wisdom).
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2017/2017-h/2017-h.htm
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Post Commentzulfikar
On May 3, 2012 at 10:54 am
interesting comparisons you made. i believe a creator is there. but i don’t believe that creator or God is very kind. if It is kind then why we suffer?
MickTheFirst
On May 3, 2012 at 2:02 pm
without suffering there is no pleasure. we as human beings see life thru pain. and pain we crave (and there fore create), as much as pleasure.
Secretsides
On May 3, 2012 at 2:45 pm
Yes this is a very interesting comparison. I have never studied Buddhism and am curious.
Karen Gross
On May 3, 2012 at 3:20 pm
I am not an expert on Buddhism, but I think that you have outlined it accurately.
I am an expert on Christianity, and sorry to say, but you have been seriously misinformed. Unlike Buddhism where following the program diligently will eventually reap the reward of Nirvana, Christianity says you can have abundant life and all of the benefits now, and then Paradise when you die.
I am sure you have heard the most frequently quoted Bible verse: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but shall have eternal life.” (John 3:16) and this one:”It is by grace that you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8,9)
Christians do not live by God’s authority in order to appease him and hopefully earn our way to Heaven. The was to Heaven is already paid for by Christ’s sacrifice, we just have to accept it. Then God’s Holy Spirit is given to us, to guide us. The more we follow his guidance, the more like him we will become.
It’s not magic, but it is supernatural. God is not a divine vending machine. We don’t follow rules and rituals, we have a relationship with God.
MickTheFirst
On May 3, 2012 at 5:50 pm
Sure Karen, all you said sounds fine. All I am saying::: “The more we follow his guidance, the more like him we will become.” I have NEVER met a single Christian that can follow 10 commandment. (the absolute minimum ANY Christian has to do). I do hear a lot of talk of why and how, but in reality NO ONE does what they believe in. Religion is opium for the people(The was to Heaven is already paid for by Christ’s sacrifice, there fore you have to do NOTHING but accept it). One can read the Bible all they want, but unless they can DO what the Bible says, it is a waste of time. Buddhism is a philosophy of action not passive believe.
Gestalt
On May 8, 2012 at 6:15 pm
Mick, go to China and I guarantee you that you will find a minority of lay people there following 8 noble truths zealously. It is just a matter of numbers and how hard you you wish to look for what you want to see.
And insinuating that Christianity is a passive religion is either a display of ignorance or just a blatant lie. For it is written that whatever we do or do not do to least of His brethren, we also do it, or miss to do it, to Him. It is also written that not everyone who exclaim ”my Lord, my Lord” will be saved; but those who do the will of God the Father. There is know easy way out and yet, it is perfectly simple.
Do not delude yourself, most Westerners like Budhism because they think: I can do whatever I want, I will be reborn anyway. And that’s all the philosophy they want, they don’t even understand how wrong they got things, and they don’t bother to be instructed. And there are also those who just want to appear as wise and mystic and who do not want to be lost in what they see as mediocre mass of common people.