Buddhism and Christianity

Buddhistic and Christians be among the worlds larges religions. They atomic number 18 characterized by incompatible teachs and practices that they observe. They some(prenominal) acquire different origins and beliefs that form expose of their structures. The some(prenominal) characteristics that I am going to spirit at argon the honourable teachings of both Christians and Buddhists and their ghostlike scriptures. Ethical teachings Ethics is one of the issues which stand egress among the teachings of both religions. The two religions emphasize on the look at for proper virtuouss by dint of banks, practices and latria.Despite the tension that they both put on ethics, differences emerge between the two in their theoretical and practical aspects. There ar several beas in which the differences female genitalia be transparent such as their ideas concerning trespass, the nonion and example of ethics together with the codes of ethics. Sin in both religions, huma nkinds existences are regarded as hellholeful beings. Sin is the solid ground of phantasmal doctrines and with bug out it it is possible that ethical religious gestates could not be thither. According to both religions, human beings are characterized by ill-doing, imperfection and guilty.It is hardly with moral religious principles that one stinker be do pure and perfect. The births of both Buddha and Christ were good password to both the Buddhist and Christians respectively. Jesus was natural to recreate redemption and retire from divinity musical composition Buddha was born to bring the message of wisdom and compassionate to mankind as well as show them the cut to enlightenment (King, P. 3). Christians believe that all human beings are connected to the first sin in the tend of Eden by the first parents Adam and Eve. This sin has over the years been passed down from one coevals to the an new(prenominal)(prenominal).This bill explains the origin of sin which ha rmonize to the story was human disobedience to paragon. Therefore, Adam and Eve went against idols wishes when they decided to ignore the orders He had prone them of not eating the fruit they ate. Because divinity fudge is comprehend as a model for perfect ethics, thusly going against his wishes will be the same as sinning. Therefore, according to Christians, sin is not unaccompanied the skipper sin that has been passed down though generations but also the hearts disobedience in chase or practicing the divine morals, ethical codes and spirit.Hence the base of Christian ethics is not only believing in Christ but also living according to his teachings (Locke, P. 237). In Buddhism, on that point is no that kind of pilot film sin as in Christianity. They alternatively believe that every individual is born of craving and ignorance which results to human beings being born in a beat referred to as samsara a birth and shoemakers last cycle. It is only through enlightenment tha t an individual can whelm craving and ignorance. According to Buddhas personal experiences, sin is originally caused by impunity, bad karmas and imperfection at that place is no any some other source.In the Buddhist structure, it is believed that sin originates from oneself and can therefore be flood out by oneself. Therefore, the basis of Buddhists ethical teachings is the headspring that sin originates from the consciousness and can only be overcome by the mind (Smart, p. 77). Model and ethical notion both Christianity and Buddhism take the perfect model of ethics to be an important aspect of religious morality. Ethical teachings of both religion focus on Christ and Buddha because both of their lives were full of noble virtues and bang that cannot be compared with any other.These models are the foundations of both religions although there are different ideas concerning ethics between them (Locke, P. 237). For Christians, adore (agape) is the basis of moral support which i s shown clearly in the life and teachings of Christ as well as in the account book. They believe that God is love and it is what constitutes his heart. Therefore, it is through his grace and forgiveness of human sins that ethical set can be cultivated in individuals and salvation can be attained. Christian moral standards are elementaryally established on sin, forgiveness, belief and the love of God.They also believe that belief must go with actions a Christian can best be recognized by his/her deeds as compared to what he/she says. Contrary to the Christians, Buddhist morality is not establish upon the power or the life of Buddha but instead it is based upon his teachings about cause and effects. They believe that an individuals positive or contradict attitude is determined by his/her actions and thoughts. Buddha taught people to guard an island of yourself, make yourself your resort hotel there is no other refuge. Make truth your island, make truth your refuge there is no ot her refuge, (King, P.3) Therefore, in both religions human beings are perceived to be sinful. The minds purity is perceived to be the basic step in ethics through which injury and impunity which has been created in individuals can be overcome. If the overall amaze is transformation from the evil nature to divine then Christians could achieve it through uniting with Christ while Buddhist could achieve the same by observant Buddhahood. Religious scriptures According to the interviews I conducted with a Christian and a Buddhist leader, I found out the following about their religious scripturesTeachings concerning God fusty Buddhists scriptures teach nothing about existence of God. It does not affirm or deny existence of God and does not state who is divine not fifty-fifty Gautama himself. Liberal ones do not put emphasis on this concept but they pay royal court to Buddha, Buddhist teachers, deities and ancestors. They worship using images, bow forward them, give offerings to the m, chant and pray to them. Although earlier Buddhism did not recognize Buddha to be omniscient, they now consider him and other teachers to be omniscience.Contrary to Buddhist scripture teachings, Christians refer to the book of account that teaches them that God exists. It states that the fact that there is a worldly concern is an indication that there is a God somewhere. sing 191 The heavens declare the atmosphere of God and the firmament showeth his handi scat. & Romans 120 though God is invisible, His power and divinity can be seen through the things that are made. The only way the universe could exist is because there is a supernatural being powerful and wiser than anybody else (Scott, p. 87).Purpose of religion The mapping of religion was to come apart mans relationship with God. Buddhism scriptures do not teach anything about God while the bible teaches that the whole purpose of humanity is to serve and have a better relationship with Christ. Ecclesiastes 1213 The whole duty of man is to fear God and keep his commands. Ephesians 17-9 The will and purpose of God was to redeem man by the forgiveness of sins through the blood of Jesus. Teaching about a on-key and supreme God Buddhism teachings allow for worship of many another(prenominal) gods while the biblical teachings forbid the worship of to a greater extent than one God.Matthew 410 Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him ONLY shalt thou serve. We are not to worship many gods, nor any god other than Jehovah 2 Corinthians 618 Colossians 119-22. fate of man Buddhist scriptures teach about renascence (rebirth), Karma which teaches that the future lives are influenced by current actions and that what happens before long is the result of previous actions and nirvana which teaches that the ultimate purpose of man is to get out of the birth and rebirth cycle characterized by suffering.While the bible teaches that an individual only lives once and physically dies once after which there will be resurrection, judgment and eternal rewards. 1 Corinthians 1522, 23 All die as a result of Adams sin as a result of Jesus, all live again. Resurrection is the opposite of final stage hence the spirit is reunited with the body. Matthew 2531-46 The wicked go to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life. Buddhist scriptures do not teach about death and resurrection (Scott, p. 87).Suffering Buddhist scriptures teach that suffering is essential in life, its brought about by human desires and they can be eliminated by getting rid of temporal desires by not wanting to exist as an individual. The bible teachings teach that suffering is part of life it is a consequence of sin physical desires are neither good nor bad, it depends on how you seek to live up to them, an individuals desire to exist is not bad and its through trust in God that you can be able to overcome suffering and not through defeating yourself.The Buddhist teaching of not to desire to be an individual can be considered to blasphemy Gods work by Christians. Works cited King, L. Winston. Buddhism and Christianity Some Bridges of Understanding. Taylor and Francis. 2008, p. 3. Locke, A. Kenneth, The earthing for Ethical Behavior A Christian thought for a dialogue with Buddhism, Hsi Lai Journal of Humanistic Buddhism 3 (2002) 327. Scott, Archibald. Buddhism and Christianity A Parallel and a Contrast, Being the Croall Lectures for 1889-90. popular Books LLC. (2009) p. 87. Smart, Ninian. Buddhism and Christianity rivals and allies. University of Hawaii Press. (1993) p. 77.