I see Christianity as the epitome of Western thinking and Buddhism (maybe the Tao, but Im going with Buddhism) as the epitome of Eastern thinking. Just compare and contrast the two, I would like to hear some interesting thought provoking answers.
2007-02-26 10:29:23 · 28 answers · asked by Nonfat Antipop 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
In christianity you have to reley on a force greater than youself. Trust in that force, and accept that force as a control in your life. You reley on something greater than you.
Most eastern religions agree in a greater force, but do not belive in putting that force in control over your life. Its not a thinking alive thing. It is a balance, and we must keep the balance.
Eastern religions often belive a "heaven" is reached by how we live on earth. The balance we create, or our actions. Christianity is a belife that "heaven" is reached through some one else. That we must accept Jesus, and live by anothers laws (God's). Its not a balance thing for the west, its an all or nothing thing. For the east its all about more good than bad.
2007-02-26 10:36:28 · answer #1 · answered by anamaradancer 3 · 1⤊ 4⤋
Some theologians believe that Jesus must have studied Buddhism because his teachings were similar. Jesus spoke about enlightenment, NOT salvation.
Christianity is not about knowledge, enlightenment, or even free thought. Christianity is about control through fear, and idiotic dogma. There is no way to compare the hate filled Christianity with the peaceful Buddhists.
2007-02-26 10:40:58 · answer #2 · answered by Gorgeoustxwoman2013 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Just about all religions share some ideals. So in that sense they are similar. But there are a lot of differences between Buddhism and Christianity. I wouldn't even know where to begin to be honest with you.
2007-02-26 10:36:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Some people really need to read up on buhddism before they answer! No its not about denying the the self! Complete oposite!Buhdism is completly differant to most religions. It doesn't teach judgement and right and wrong like all the rest. It doesnt worship a god. In fact what they are doing is undoing anything you think you know, and learning just to 'be'. We don't need rules because we are happy! And happy people don't need to hurt others, no rules needed!
2007-02-26 10:39:02 · answer #4 · answered by Londonbaby 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
From a personal perspective, having studied religions in depth, having been Byzantine Catholic myself and now a Tibetan Buddhist... if you look at Jesus' teachings in their purest form without all the dogmatic "stuff" thrown in, yes.
I believe what Jesus taught, before his teachings were chunked to death by the Catholic Church (not being offensive here, just referring to facts), was very similar to the things the Buddha taught. I see Jesus as a bodhisattva.
_()_
2007-02-26 10:34:41 · answer #5 · answered by vinslave 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
indeed there are buddhist christians. you can be both without violating a law of either since buddhism has no set definite deity. christianity is more strict including a more thurough history. but in general ALL religions say the same thing. the ten commandments the eightfold path the five noble truths they are all the same thing basically...add in judism islam any religion you want they are all identical morals with different deities and levels of strictness.
2007-02-26 10:34:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
Not really. Christianity by and large depends on an external force to give you salvation, which is life after death in heaven, and the alternative to this belief system is eternal torment in hell.
Buddhism teaches that "the mind is everything." Not God, not Satan, only our own interpretations of our thoughts. Buddha said "what we think, we become." Buddhists in general find the idea of God a distraction from attaining enlightenment.
2007-02-26 10:36:59 · answer #7 · answered by NHBaritone 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
There are some similiarities between the two. Buddhism is a moral philosophy that Christianity can accept.
However, Christianity is so much more. Never in Buddhism is the concept of a divine person coming to this earth to live as a human. Never in Buddhism is the concept of God redeeming humans. In Buddhism its "save yourself". In Christianity its all Jesus.
2007-02-26 10:37:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anotherme 2 · 0⤊ 5⤋
I think I agree with what you said about western and eastern thinking. Straight up though, all religion is the same. Every religion has guidelines rituals morals, I could compare and contrast but it's kind of a waste of time.
2007-02-26 10:33:09 · answer #9 · answered by bababadIDEA 1 · 1⤊ 3⤋
They have a lot in common in regards to love and peace, except the only religion where someone actually died for their enemy is christianity. The enemy being the human race.
2007-02-26 10:34:19 · answer #10 · answered by VW 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋