Differences between Christian Beliefs and Buddhist Beliefs - Research Paper Example

Outline Introduction - Thesis: Christianity is an organized religion, whereas Buddhism is both a philosophy and a way of life. Beliefs of Christianity and Buddhism - Christians can only follow God and one religion; Buddhism does not recognize a god and it can be combined with another religion. - There is structure within the Church, such as people and holidays; there is no need for structure or days of worship in Buddhism. - Salvation differs greatly between the two religions Differences in Religious Laws and Guidelines - Ten Commandments vs. Eightfold Path - Ten Commandments tells a person their duties to God and their neighbors. - Eightfold Path tells a person how they should be aware of their life and live every moment of it - Buddhism teaches that inner good leads to outer good, and Christian outer good leads to inner good - Similarities in some laws, but they are approached differently Conclusion Christian Beliefs vs. Buddhist Beliefs Introduction Christianity is an organized religion, whereas Buddhism is both a philosophy and a way of life. In Christianity, the Ten Commandments is a list of rules imposed on Christians for the proper conduct of their lives. The goal of Christianity is to go to heaven after death. Thus, one must follow the Ten Commandments and God will allow them into heaven. In contrast, the noble Eightfold Path of Buddhism is a set of suggestions for a more satisfactory life. The goal of Buddhism is to achieve Enlightenment, or nirvana, through one’s own efforts as there is no higher power than one’s self. Beliefs of Christianity and Buddhism As an organized religion, Christianity, when practiced by an individual, can be the only religion that is recognized. This is due to the belief that all other religions are false and practicing them would be sinful. Also, Christianity, more specifically Catholicism, contains only three central figures - the Father (God), the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit1. It is considered to be a sin to believe in or worship any other idol. According to Christian law, it is impossible to believe in God and to believe in other deities. Buddhism, as a way of life, has no contradiction in following more than one religion; there are many people that practice both Buddhism and another religion, even Christianity. There are also no creator gods or deities to worship. Siddhartha Gautama, also known as the Buddha, is the founder of the Buddhist path and philosophy, but he is regarded more as a mentor or a leader rather than a god. Therefore, there has never been a purpose to worship him, nor did he ever desire it or request it of others. Christianity is organized based on hierarchical structure within the Church and specific days of observance. Christianity consists of numerous people of importance, such as the Pope, Deacons, bishops, monks, priests, ministers, youth ministers, and Sunday School teachers. Each person plays an important role in the running of the Church and in the teaching and spreading of the Christian message. Certain days of importance and holidays are observed, like Sundays, which is reserved for church, and other days that celebrate occasions in the life of Jesus, like birth (Christmas) and his resurrection (Easter). Buddhism, however, has no priestly hierarchy, though practitioners are able to become monks. These monks are similar to the monks of Catholicism, though they do not share the same religious duties. As previously stated, Siddhartha Gautama is recognized as the founder of Buddhism, but he is little more than a fellow practitioner of old. In regard to days of observance, Buddhism does not deem one day holier than another. Instead, practitioners are encouraged to celebrate everyday that they are alive. Some people do observe the birth of the Buddha, but it is not considered to be a sacred holiday. Salvation is another vast difference between the two religions. In Christianity, salvation is achieved through faith, a relationship with Jesus Christ, and daily repentance of sin. The ultimate judgement of salvation is done by God. Salvation in Buddhism is achieved by the practitioner contemplating the truth of each moment and to see the Four Noble Truths in life. Each person is their own refuge in Buddhism and do not require an outside source of redemption. Differences in Religious Laws and Guidelines The greatest difference between Christianity and Buddhism is the set of laws that they observe. Christianity preaches and practices the Ten Commandments. Buddhism does not have a definitive set of religious rules, though the Dharma exists to describe nature and reality, such as: if there is an effect, there is a cause2. The Eightfold Path is also used as a set of guidelines for Buddhism. While the Ten Commandments of Christianity are very strict and dictating, as they are laws, the Eightfold Path is more practical in life and are recommended but not required to be practiced by Buddhists. Ten Commandments The Ten Commandments express man’s fundamental duties to God and their neighbors. As such, these commandments represent grave obligations. To violate these commandments knowingly and willingly in a significant way is to commit mortal sin. This is precisely what makes them the supreme law of Christianity. The Ten Commandments are as follows: You shall have no other gods before me; You shall not make for yourself a carved image, any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain; Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy; Honor your father and your mother; You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor; and You shall not covet your neighbor's house and you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's3. Eightfold Path The noble Eightfold Path describes the way to end suffering as it was laid out by Siddhartha Gautama. It is a practical guideline to ethical and mental development with the absolute goal of freeing the individual from material and personal attachments and delusions. It finally leads to understanding the truth about all things, setting a person free, and allowing them to reach Enlightenment. The Eightfold Path includes: Right views; Right intentions; Right speech; Right actions; Right livelihood; Right efforts; Right mindfulness; and Right Concentration4. Differences between Ten Commandments and Eightfold Path The Ten Commandments of Christianity consists of more specific rules of external actions that will help to improve a person from the inside. The focus of the Commandments is to bring the person to a proper relationship with God. The good deeds and right way of living, as well as a good relationship with God, will grant them entrance to heaven when they die. Quite the opposite, the Eightfold Path of Buddhism focuses on inward peace and attitudes that help to create proper external actions. Intent is the key factor in this path of spirituality. By abiding by these guidelines, a person is not entitled to go anywhere, but they are able to reach Enlightenment. In short, one of the differences between the two sets of rules is that Buddhist inner good leads to outer good and Christian outer good leads to inner good. Christian belief is monotheistic, which means believing in only the one God, and as He is the way to salvation and heaven, the Ten Commandments contains no mention of inner searching or understanding. Everything that is done to remain faithful to God and to get to heaven must be done externally, which will then lead to internal goodness. Buddhism does not recognize any god, so there is no mention of what deities should or should not be worshipped, nor is there anything about setting aside specific days for worship. There are only a few similarities between the two laws. They both prohibit murdering, lying, stealing, sexual misconduct, and covetousness. However, further differences can be found in how these laws are expected to be fulfilled. The Ten Commandments directly forbid the action, but the Eightfold Path forbids the act by means of a comparison. ‘Thou shalt not steal’ to Christians can be translated to ‘do not conduct yourself in the manner of a thief’. The approach is different from one another, yet they lead to the same result. Christianity makes it clear that every commandment must be adhered to. If they are not followed, then they are sinning and do not stand a chance of getting into heaven. Christians are able to ask for God’s forgiveness and change their actions, and it becomes an endless cycle. The Ten Commandments are strict and restricting, not enforcing how a person lives but telling them how to live. The ‘enforcement’ comes with threatening them with hell instead of heaven. Buddhism lets it be known that the Eightfold Path consists of recommendations for living a fuller, happier, and more aware life. There are no punishments if someone disobeys a law and redemption is not required. Even though a person can reach Enlightenment by fully engaging in and implementing the Eightfold Path, if someone does not achieve this state they will not be threatened or denied anything. Conclusion Christianity and Buddhism are very different belief systems. Christianity depends on three central figures, a variety of people working within the Church, and special days of observance. The religion preaches about accepting God and doing good so that the practitioner may get to heaven. Buddhism teaches about being aware of and enjoy every minute of life. There are no deities or days of worship, just the individual and their own life. Each religion comes with its own set of laws or guidelines, but while Christians must live by their Ten Commandments, Buddhists are only recommended to live the way of the Buddha. Works Cited Cunningham, Lawrence. An Introduction to Catholicism. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2009. 103. Das, Surya. Awakening the Buddha Within. New York: Broadway Books, 1998. 61. The Holy Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1984. 63. Nhat Hanh, Thich. The Heart of the Buddha’s Teachings. New York: Broadway Books, 1999. 49. Read More