Similarities and Differences between Jesus and Buddha - Admission/Application Essay Example

Similarities and Differences between Jesus and Buddha INTRODUCTION The complexities of human life create more questions rather than answers. However, the human narrative is filled with stories of great people who have tried to present some solutions to the human quandary. Though paradigms established differ and structured approaches vary, their proffered understanding of the human predicament has led many people in gaining an authentic knowledge of their own personal human condition. In light of this reality, this paper will look into two of the most influential persons that ever walked the face of the earth – Jesus and Buddha. The religion founded in the name of Jesus, Christianity, has a population of almost two billion making “one out of three persons Christian” (Prompt 2, p 194) in the contemporary period. While, the religion founded by Buddha- Buddhism- is the dominant religion in “South and South East Asia” (Prompt 1, p 96). In recognition of the vast influence of the teachings of these two great persons in the lives of many people across time and space, this paper will attempt to highlight some existing similarities and differences between Jesus and Buddha. And then utilize the understanding gained in elucidating my experience of religion. JESUS AND BUDDHA: SIMILARITY The first similarity that is very much underlined between Jesus and Buddha is the fact that both men are called to greatness. Jesus coming into the world has been foretold by prophets and when he was born three kings or wise men came to visit him gave him gifts befitting a king. (Prompt 4, Matt 2: 1 – 12) While, Buddha’s greatness had been foreseen by a soothsayer, his father was forewarned that Buddha was going to be either a great political leader or a homeless monk. (Prompt 1, p 83). Their prophesied future was a sign of their significant role in the story of humanity. The second commonality that is present between Jesus and Buddha is that both of them before staring their mission or enlightenment were tempted by the devil. With Buddha, the goddess Mara appeared to him and tempted him but he remained steadfast. While with Jesus, the devil appeared and tempted him (Prompt 4, Matt 4: 1 – 11). The third similarity between Jesus and Buddha is that they live a life shared with others. Both of them have disciples with whom they have passed whatever they have gained from their quest. All texts pertinent to their lives act as a witness to this truism. However, there also exist some differences between them. JESUS AND BUDDHA: DIFFERENCE The first noticeable thing that differentiates Jesus and Buddha from one another is their class or social status. Buddha came from warrior class and a wealthy family and his father even dreamt of him becoming an emperor of India. (Prompt 1, p 83) Jesus, on the other hand, came from a working class family. As told, his father Joseph is a mere carpenter. (Prompt 2, p 195) The second difference between the two is that it is known that Buddha had led a life of luxury and that he even got married to a princess. While in case of Jesus, very little is known regarding his life before he started his ministry and that it is maintained that he was never married to anybody. Third, Buddha’s quest for enlightenment started when he encountered the four passing sights – the sorrowful old man, the man raked with illness, the dead man and the monk. (Prompt 1, p 83) Whereas with Jesus, there is no such story. What is assumed is that he is enlightened already as manifested in the story of baptism when God first appeared in his/her Trinitarian manifestation. (Prompt 4, Matt 4: 16 – 17). Fourth, Buddha died a peaceful death while Jesus suffered a violent death. And after his crucifixion on the cross, it is claimed he had risen and ascended into heaven. Jesus’ resurrection and ascension is central in the Christian faith as these become the buttress of hope of Christians of what is yet to come. The fifth perceptible difference between Jesus and Buddha is that Buddha preached of detachment to everything. His four noble truths speak of being able to remove one’s self from sufferings brought about by cravings and attachments that abounds in life. (Prompt 1, p 84) While Jesus, on the other hand, preached that all confidence should be placed to the Father as he himself taught his followers the right prayer to be said as one invokes the Father (Mathew 6:9 – 14). Sixth, as Buddha encouraged his followers to be detached from things and strived for moderation in everything, and they should be working diligently for their Salvation (Prompt 1, p 84, 94). For human person’s salvation will come from liberation from within and not from without. NO gods will be able to help the person in attaining his own liberation, her own salvation. Jesus, on the other hand, preached that the way to salvation is faith- faith in the Father through Jesus. As it is stated in the four gospels that Jesus is the Son of God and it is in the gospel of John when it is said that “No one can come to the Father except through him (Jesus) “(Prompt 2, p 195). Thus raising another difference between them. Seventh, Buddha encouraged his followers to live in the Middle way, to uphold the eight fold path together with the Four Noble Truths as the way of life. (Prompt 1, p 89 - 90; Prompt 3, 4- 5) while with Jesus, the Way is Himself (Prompt 2, p 195). Eight, The New Testament talks of Jesus as the new covenant made by God with His people. (Prompt 2, p 194) and that through Jesus God offers redemption, salvation to his people. (Prompt 2, p 195) Whereas, with Buddha it is a way of life intended for creating harmony within the person and the person with the entire creation. Ninth, Jesus preached of the Kingdom of God which somehow gives an impression of a transcendental reality that awaits human beings after this life. (Prompt 2, p 195) Jesus told his followers to have faith in God as He is the One. While, Buddha does not speak of any transcendental reality that awaits human beings at death, rather, he told his followers to try to free themselves from the cycle of rebirth that a person may experience. (Prompt 1, p 84) And the liberation from the recycle of birth becomes the ethos that moves the Buddha and his followers to continue striving for salvation. Tenth, for Buddha the blessed are those which have attained nirvana or even paninirvana (Prompt 1, p 84) While for Jesus, blessed are those as stated in The Beatitudes ( Prompt 4, Matt 5: 1 – 11). Eleventh, the story of Jesus speaks of the unity of the divine and human. Jesus has become the only way with which God may be manifested to his people. Whereas, Buddha does not speak of any divine origins, rather, Buddha basks in our humanity. Though many are their differences, what is more essential is what I have learned. WHAT DID I LEARN? From the readings, I have come to realize that Jesus is a principled man who is willing to fight and die for what he believes and thinks is right. By standing up against structures that are oppressing the people during his time, by offering of an alternative view of the human relation with God – from a King and vassal to a loving Father towards his children, by denouncing in words and acts the social evils that burdened and oppressed the Jews of his time, Jesus has become the exemplar of a lived conviction. Jesus is a man of ardent faith and belief –a faith in the Father which is not only a lip service, but a lived life of faith. Thus, the examples that he lays down for his followers is a resounding challenge for social justice in our times. The created religious tradition which heightens the faith or fortifies the belief helps the follower more in attaining what the founders have first achieved. Both Jesus and Buddha have found the way which leads them in the fullness of human life. And both have shared with the rest of the world, with those who would want to listen on how they too may attain what Jesus and Buddha have attained – fullness of human life. Their sharing of their understanding of the human predicament shows us that they are not just ordinary men but they are men whose compassion for others abounds as they have not kept to themselves the path of authentic happiness. To be honest, though I am not much convinced on the feasibility of structured religion, both Jesus and Buddha have consistently changed and challenged my view of structured religion. Both have shown me that religions are but attempts that allow us to view our human condition within a particular perspective. What they may be offering, indeed, be the truth with a capital T. I do not want to inquire into it. Since, the more important thing which is at the heart of my continued admiration for these two great men is that they have paved the way for the awareness that enables us to see what we really are, what is the human condition, where are we going and how are we to reach our end or genuine goal in life. Though there exists vast doctrinal differences between the two religions which they have founded, what is significant is that as we look into the lives of Jesus and Buddha we can see and affirm that undeniably each and every one of us is called to transcend the limits of human life and attain human flourishing within the realm of human potentials. And it is in this sense that the possibility and reality of an inter religious dialogue becomes a doable move towards bridging differences between the two religions. As both men have seen and found the way, the test of living and manifesting in our lives our adherence to Jesus’ and Buddha’s teachings becomes the foundation of the path that will lead us in embarking into an inter faith dialogue. Though doubts may abound, inter-religious dialogue is feasible and its benefits numerous. For despite our distinctions and dissimilarities in religion and faith, what is at the core is the reality of our own humanity trying to achieve its fullness and flourishing in relation with others. DIFFERENCE IT MAKES IN ME Perhaps what surprises me is the fact that people for a long time now have delved on the differences between Jesus and Buddha, of Christianity and of Buddhism. Perhaps, I maybe wrong in this simplistic assumption. But we have heard and seen East meets West themes or attempts of conversion form one religion to another and other similar accounts. However, the thing which is of primordial value is that instead of focusing on the apparent differences between the two religions, why not instead converge and center on the existing similarities. Other may say that this is simply impossible since Buddhism is an atheistic religion while Christianity is a theist. And the viability of coming together at a certain point between the two may be off tangent. But what I would like for us to look into is the fact that both Jesus and Buddha have first tried and have succeeded in transcending their human limitations. Both have become the epitome of what a human person ought to be –a person for others, a person who is made more humane because of his/her shared life with others. And this is the way - we become more human by becoming more compassionate and benevolent towards others just like Jesus and Buddha. REFERENCES: Prompt 1 Prompt 2 Prompt 3 Prompt 4 Read More