Compare and contrast three religions: Christianity, Islam, Buddhism - Essay Example

Islam is the religion which Muslims around the world follow. Its principles and foundational beliefs are associated with the preaching of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) and the holy book Quran. Islamic beliefs are firm and Islam is judged as a complete way of living for Muslims. Islam is based on a firm believe that God is omnipotent. Muslims have faith in the angels and Prophets which are created by God for the guidance of the human beings. The foundational beliefs of Islam include their faith in the day of judgment and responsibility of every human being for their acts which he performs in this world.

They also have faith in life after death (Ripping 2005). The origin of Christianity and Islam are the same. Both religions are related to the Prophet and Patriarch Abraham, Adam and Eve. However, Christianity is based on the preaching and miracles associated with Jesus. Jesus is often referred to as the Christ who forms the basis of Christian’s religion. Christian’s believe in the Gospels incorporated by witnesses to address the miracles of Jesus. Jesus is believed to have a divinity but at the same time is appreciated as a human.

It may be said that owing to the multi-natural phenomenon, Jesus is worshiped, however multi-nature is not the only factor involved. Christians follow their holy book Bible. The Bible gives them information about the God, Jesus, salvation and other Christianity beliefs. This book serves as the foundation of their beliefs and religion (Wilson 2006; Woodhead 2004). Buddhism is a religion which, like other religions, consists of many traditions. However, the common practices and beliefs set out the foundation of a religion.

The common beliefs and foundational values of Buddhism include the concept of reincarnation. Other religions often believe in rebirth but reincarnation in Buddhism is the belief that human beings may recur over and over again. They believe that an individual who beliefs in Buddhism may attain Nirvana only by releasing his attachment to desire and the self. They follow the preaching and ways of Gautama (also known as the Buddha), their prophet. The aim of Buddhists’ lives is to escape pain, suffering and misery.

Their ultimate aim is to find the enlightenment and free themselves from the cycle of rebirth. The religion gives the, an aim to have a better life by gaining merits through sutras, meditations, mantras and other religious elements (Jeff 2006). The three main religions Christianity, Islam and Buddhism share certain beliefs. The three religions have laid down principles for eternal life and have the same concept when it comes to anything related to the evil or good. According to these three religions there is a life after death which entirely depends upon the deeds or karma done in this world.

Islam believes that these deeds would only be worthy if one follows the path of Allah and Islam but Buddhism and Christianity do not mention any such thing. Christianity and Islam have a belief in a place known as paradise which the person would be gifted in accordance to his deeds. Buddhism on the other hand believes that life after death would result in the freeing of soul which would be attached to another body. In other words it believes in the concept of reincarnation. Islam and Buddhism are creationist religions and believe that the whole universe was created by the God himself (Rippin 2005; Jeff 2006; Woodhead 2004).

These three religions follow the principles laid down by their respective preacher. Hazrat Muhammad was the preacher of Islam, Jesus was the preacher of Christianity and Gautama Buddha was the preacher of Buddhism. All these religions have specific set of rules for their followers which they have to abide by to remain in the circle of the respective religion. These three religions believe in the equality of beings and encourage democracy in the society. All three religions have a sacred book which the follower has to follow in order to remain in the