Comparing Buddism and Islam - Thesis Proposal Example

On the other hand, Islam believes that a person has only one birth and he will get heaven or hell based on his activities in that birth. However, both religions have a lot of similarities also. It should be noted that both Islam and Buddhism uphold the sanctity of good things and reject all kinds of sins. Both religions do believe that a human being will get salvation after his death if he does enough good things in his life. The fundamental beliefs and distinctions between Buddhism and Islam deal with a new way of life promoting freedom from confusion and disillusionment. While both religions require practice and faith in self, they worship in different methods but ultimately believe in similar facts.

Islam believes in a superpower or God whereas Buddhists do not say much about the existence of God. Islam argues that everything in this universe, including humans, is the creation of God. In their opinion, Allah the Almighty knows everything happening in this world. On the other hand, Buddhists talk about Karma or salvation. Buddhists argue that “If there were a creator of the world, he would be regarded as responsible for the suffering” (Harvey, p.36). In other words, Buddhists blamed human suffering upon the shoulder of God. They argue that life itself is nothing but suffering and that whatever the things we derive from this material world may bring suffering ultimately. The activities in the previous birth may haunt a person in the present birth also and, hence, he may not be able to enjoy happiness until the salvation stage.  They argue that human life will continue even after death but in different forms. In their opinion, the good or evil things done in human life decide whether the person gets what kind of life after death. Buddhists argue that birth and rebirth continue until a person attains salvation. On the other hand, Islam opposes this view. In its teaching, happiness can be obtained in human life also and there is no point in blaming God for human suffering. The activities of the human, rather than the activities of God, bring happiness or sorrow in this life.

“Buddha’s advice for people “not to depend on others for your salvation [but to] develop your self-confidence to gain it” (Khong, p.62). However, Islam believes that prayers by others may help a person to get salvation even if he commits moderate crimes in his human life. For Buddhists, salvation or nirvana is an individual thing prayers by others have nothing to do with the efforts of a person to get salvation.

“Buddha encourages insight and understanding based on direct experience rather than from intellectualizing or following certain beliefs” (Khong, p.62). It should be noted that direct experience or individual beliefs do not have much role in a Muslim’s life. There are certain customs, beliefs, and traditions in Islam which should be followed strictly by the believers. However, Buddhists are more liberal in describing the path toward salivation. In their opinion, a person’s insights will lead him toward salvation. The only thing he must do is an act based on his insights. “According to the Buddha, to understand the truth, it is irrelevant whether the teacher is the Buddha or that the teachings originated from him. What is important is seeing and understanding the truth for oneself, rather than following a set of beliefs based on “blind faith” (Khong, p.62).

According to the beliefs of Buddhists, desire is the cause of misery and a person who is capable of suppressing desire may get salvation ultimately. “Actions motivated by greed, hatred, and delusion are bad (akuśala) while actions motivated by their opposites—non-attachment, benevolence, and understanding—are good (kuśala)” (Khong, p.53).

Like Islam followers, Buddhists also believe in salvation even though their definition of salvation is different from the definition of salvation by Islam. Both Islam and Buddhism teach that salvation is the ultimate thing in a life cycle. In other words, salvation is the eternal stage and all the other stages in human life are temporary. Like Muslims, Buddhists also stress the importance of good activities for getting salvation. “Human qualities and emotions that the Buddha encourages are love, charity, compassion, tolerance, and patience” (Khong, p.62). It should be noted that Islam also advocates all these qualities