Part of what makes Buddhism special is that it is so adaptable to other religions and philosophies, one could compare and contrast it to either of these two beliefs in many different ways. Obviously the question could fill volumes but i am just looking for your first thought about it.
2007-02-26 06:06:32 · 7 answers · asked by Matt H 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
"Buddhism" and "Christianity" are both incredibly broad terms. Most Buddhisms share a certain core (the Noble Eightfold Path, etc.), and most Christianities similarly share some core beliefs (the Ten Commandments, the Nicene Creed, etc.), but both Christianity and Buddhism support wildly diverging belief systems. The Unitarian church, which is nominally Christian, has no particular belief or emphasis on the afterlife, for example. Some other churches hold that the afterlife is so important that this life is insignificant in comparison. Some forms of Buddhism enshrine Buddha as a sort of deity, which is anathema in other circles.
That said, there are some forms of Christianity and some forms of Buddhism that are extremely close to each other. Christian existentialism and Zen Buddhism, for example, are nearly identical in practical terms. Rudolf Bultmann, an important Christian theologian in the existentialist tradition, became increasingly interested in Buddhism as he neared the end of his life; visitors said that he had replaced his entire library, once full of Christian books, with texts on Buddhism. He found in Buddhism something very much akin to his own Christianity, and possibly even more suited to expressing certain truths of the human experience. It's true that each religion has its own mythos, it's own stories -- but in terms of shaping an actual ontology and in answering (or not answering) questions like "why are we here?" and "what are we to do with our lives?", Zen Buddhism and Christian existentialism are very similar indeed.
Buddhism is certainly closer to existentialism than to nihilism, and given that it's possible to be both Christian and existentialist, I suppose that Christianity would have to be my answer to your question.
2007-02-26 07:16:45 · answer #1 · answered by Drew 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
More like Nihilism for a coupla of reasons.
1) There's no heaven in Buddhism, just a meditative trancelike state, void of anything - Nirvana.
2) Neither Buddhism, nor Nihilism require a need of a Savior.
2007-02-26 06:11:45 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Being raised Southern Baptist, I call the "higher power" God because that's what I have been taught. I have studied and practiced Buddhism for years now but I have yet to see any proof that there is no higher power.
Buddhism's adaptability, to me, has to do with the fact that there is a universal truth, and the first Buddha, Gautama, tapped into that truth.
2007-02-26 06:48:13 · answer #3 · answered by teaguejg 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Often such claims are made by people who only have a cursory understanding of Buddhism, Nihilism, and Christianity.
The mythology, cosmology, and praxis of Mahayana Buddhism is as deep and dense as Hinduism, and is very, very far from Christianity *or* Nihilism.
2007-02-26 06:19:25 · answer #4 · answered by Jerry P 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Beyond Belief: a Buddhist Critique of Christianity.
http://www.uq.net.au/slsoc/bsq/budchr6.htm
2007-02-26 07:46:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not very close to christianity. The originated near one another(Bhuddhism) in time . I just got done studying them.
2007-02-26 06:15:50 · answer #6 · answered by rharley88 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
more than nihilism and christianity....buddhism is very close to hinduism!!
2007-02-26 06:50:03 · answer #7 · answered by quest_.net 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋