Can someone please tell me about the fundamental differences between Christianity and Buddhism...?

Question

I mean more in the actual practising of the religion and it's "laws" rather than actual beliefs :)

Thanks.

PS. Please no religious zealots or ramblings - you WILL be reported :P

Do people not bother to READ the details??

I didn't ask for PREACHING for God's sake! (No pun intended)

For those who actually have BOTHERED to ANSWER the question than say "Oh - Buddhists never go to Heaven cos everyone except Christians are evil" Thank you.

And for those people's information - it is generally accepted than God (OR whatever The Big G turns out to BE) is a benevolent, FORGIVING being - who I believe, would reward people for their ACTIONS and not just their beliefs.

After all - (he/she/it, whatever) gave us free will for a reason.

Answer 1

CHristianity is a historical, monotheistic religion with a beginning of the earth, and a definite end. Buddhism really doesn't focus on gods or creation. There is a wheel of life where all livings things are reincarnated into everything from hungry ghosts, insects, people, through to gods. Buddha became enlightened and instead of becoming one with the universal being, he stuck around to educate humans on how to attain nirvana, or cessation of the wheel.

Answer 2

As there are many different divisions/schools in each one, i guess i can only speak from my experiance in both Nichiren Buddhism (SGI) and Church of England (C of E)

Buddhism is essentially about an internal change in yourself brought about by buddhist practice (chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo) which not only gives yourself benefit but to society/friends family etc... as well, there are no rules or commandments that a person should obey - the buddha is not a mystical or far removed thing, it is the potential each person has within themselves - to be a buddha.

Christianity is more based on worship and love of God so by definition is worship of an external being, the practice is to develop love, compassion etc.. through connection with God by praying, through a priest etc...

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Buddhism isnt really a religion, like Christianity as such, but more a way of life.
I say this as theres no form of worship, god or definite laws etc...
You just live life, while keeping the 5/8 or 10 precepts (depending on your level of worship, five for the layman, 8 for the devoted and 10 for the monkhood) as best you can.
Christianity on the other hand, does have definite laws.
The laws of Christianity and precepts of Buddhism are similar, however, in Christianity it's worded "Do not kill" (definite a 'you will do'), where as in Buddhism it's worded "I undertake the precept to abstain from destroying living creatures." (open, more of a 'i will try').
When it comes to the practising of the two religions...
In Christianity, you go to church on a Sunday, you pray, you sing hymns etc...
In Buddhism, there isnt any worship involved, you meditate, contemplate the Buddha (meaning his teachings) amongst other things and depending on your area of Buddhism, you say mantras.
Another difference is that in Christianity, you have a Bible, which is the word of God. Where as in Buddhism, you have teachings and the four noble truths, from which you base your religious practice.
All in all the two religions are quite different, with Buddhism being a 'free will' religion, while Christianity is more 'legalistic', in its approach to it's moral ethic and practice.
The only real likeness between Christianity and Buddhism, I would say is that they are both believers in 'love'. I.e "love thy neighbour" etc...
Hope that helped!

Answer 4

I guess the first thing that comes to mind is that Christianity talks about one life, or rather 2 one life here and the life determined by our faith. Buddhism talks of an endless stream of lives one after another - though they too are determined by one's spiritual path.

Buddhism has acted more pragmatically as a religion in the past - allowing regional beliefs to be assimilated into its subtext. where as the Abrahamic faiths (inc. Christianity) have often removed pre-existing cultures, usurping them, replacing them with their own message.

In terms of good and evil these religions tend to agree on the big ones - ie killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying etc. however the mechanisms are different in terms of: God as a judge and Karma for the buddhists. Karma being the potential for past actions to affect your life: ie good actions = good things & bad action = bad things.

On investigation, you may find many similarities between Jesus and Buddha's lives - ie wandering ministry, teaching by parable, teaching compassion and abstinence. they also acted as catalysts which were invaluable in separating religion from the state and putting it into the people's hands and attempting to remove predjudice.

Buddhists vary geatly as their scriptures are by far the largest collection of texts attributed to any one religion in the world , whereas christians are tied down by the version chosen by the first holy roman emperor some time after Jesus 'left' this world.

Hope this sheds some light, or even better creates even more doubts!!

Answer 5

Christian is based on God creationism. They talk about how the world is created and how to pray to God and what God did and how you can reach to heaven if you just pray hard.

Buddhism is based on Four nobal truth. Buddha is not God. He's a great teacher who had found the truth of nature by himself through deep insight meditation.

The main Teaching of the Buddha focuses not on philosophical speculations about a Creator God or the origin of the universe, nor on a heaven world ever after. The Teaching, instead, is centred on the down-to- earth reality of human suffering and the urgent need to find lasting relief from all forms of discontent. The Buddha gave the simile of a man shot by a poison-tipped arrow who, before he would call a doctor to treat him, demanded to know first who shot the arrow and where the arrow was made and of what and by whom and when and where ... this foolish man would surely die before his questions could be well answered. In the same way, the Buddha said, the urgent need of our existence is to find lasting relief from recurrent suffering which robs us of happiness and leaves us in strife.

Philosophical speculations are of secondary importance and, anyway, they are best left until after one has well trained the mind in meditation to the stage where one has the ability to examine the matter clearly and find the Truth for oneself.

Thus, the central Teaching of the Buddha, around which all other teachings revolve is the Four Noble Truths:

1. That all forms of being, human and otherwise, are afflicted with suffering.
2. That the cause of this suffering is Craving, born of the illusion of a soul (see below, note 7).
3. That this suffering has a lasting end in the Experience of Enlightenment (Nibbana) which is the complete letting go of the illusion of soul and all consequent desire and aversion.
4. That this peaceful and blissful Enlightenment is achieved through a gradual training, a Path which is called the Middle Way or the Eightfold Path.

It would be mistaken to label this Teaching as 'pessimistic' on the grounds that it begins by centring on suffering. Rather, Buddhism is 'realistic' in that it unflinchingly faces up to the truth of life's many sufferings and it is 'optimistic' in that it shows a final end of the problem of suffering - Nibbana, Enlightenment in this very life! Those who have achieved this ultimate peace are the inspiring examples who demonstrate once and for all that Buddhism is far from pessimistic, but it is a Path to true Happiness.

Answer 6

Christianity is a Eternalistic religion, meaning its main aim is to achieve immortality, via Heaven and Jesus. Buddhism is a way of living, a philosophy more then a religion, as they have very few strict practices that you MUST follow, unliek Christianity

Answer 7

Buddhism is focused on me, myself, and I, and Christianity is focused on God.

For instance a Buddhist would woudl believe that a physical disease means that he must not have achieved enough.

Christianity says we are all naturally sinful, and naturally prone to disease, in your weakness God is strong, meaning that it becomes more evident that God is in charge and rules and reigns when a Christian acts in love despite being in pain or having other disadvantages in life - Blessed are the Poor!!

Anyone who can calm the seas and conquer death and guilt is worthy of worship to me despite what happens to me. Even though many people today have gone through horrific circumstances in life, I trust that God knows what he is doing, after all, he gave up his only son to die for us who did not deserve it. We owed a debt we could not pay, He paid a debt he did not owe.

Answer 8

There is no devotion, worship, saviours, atonement or deities in Buddhism. Only the fundamental moral precepts are similar. Buddhism is a means to achieving an end (enlightenment)-Christianity is an end in itself because supposedly belief entitles its adherents to eternal life.

Answer 9

How can you actually practice any religious law without believing in their beliefs? You can't have one with out the other.

Chrsitianity is not only Believing in God and obeying His laws, but accepting Jesus who is God's son as your savior and repenting of your sins, and turning your entire life over to Jesus. Buddists do not do any of that. There for they will never see the kingdom of God.

Answer 10

Christianity = forcing
Buddhism = encouraging