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With 365 million followers, Buddhism is the fourth largest world religion. It is one of the oldest religions, originating around the sixth century B.C. in Northern India. The founder of the religion was Siddhartha Gautama, who became known as the first Buddha, and his teachings form the basis for the Buddhist religion. He derived his teachings when he went on a spiritual quest to answer the problem of suffering. After rejecting the extreme practices of meditation, asceticism, and breath control, Siddhartha discovered the Middle Way, which was a path of moderation. After this discovery, he experienced Enlightenment and stated his platform for escaping suffering and attaining Nirvana, a state of perfect peace. His plan consisted of what he called the Four Noble Truths:
- The Nature of Suffering (Dukkha): Suffering exists in life.
- The Origin of Suffering (Samudaya): Suffering is caused by desire.
- The Cessation of Suffering (Niordha): To eliminate suffering, eliminate desire.
- The Way Leading to the Cessation of Suffering (Magga): To eliminate desire, follow the eightfold path, which consists of wisdom (right view and right intention), ethics (right speech, right action and right livelihood) and mental discipline (right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration).
Consider the differences between Buddhism and Christianity.
God
Most Buddhists deny the existence of a god. Buddhists who believe in a god normally deify the Buddha and worship him alongside a pantheon of gods. Christianity proclaims that there is only one God, and He is the only one deserving of worship (Ex. 20:2-3; Isa. 44:6; Matt. 4:10). He controls all things and does not compete with other deities.
The Existence of the World
Buddhism teaches that the world is eternal and self-existent. Time consists of cycles with no beginning and no end. Christianity teaches that the world was created by a powerful and loving God, and it is the product of design and intention (Heb. 3:4). It has a beginning, and it will have an end, just as everything else we see in this life (Gen. 1:1; 2 Pet. 3:10). Today the world exists through the sustaining power of God, rather than by its own power (Col. 1:17).
Knowledge of the Truth
Both Buddhism and Christianity place an importance upon knowledge of the truth, but they disagree over what constitutes truth. Buddhism claims that truth is self-existent, occurring in the natural process of the world, and it was discovered by the Buddha. Christianity states that truth derives from a perfect and truthful God (Deut. 32:4). He has revealed truth in His Son, and it has been written down in Scriptures (1 Tim. 2:3-4; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Heb. 1:1-2).
Suffering
Buddhism focuses on the problem of suffering as the major evil in this world, and it is the product of man’s desires. While suffering may be the product of some desires, it actually results from transgressing God’s perfect principles of life, as revealed in His word. God’s way leads to life, but man’s way of sin leads to death (Gen. 2:17; Rom. 6:23).
Man
The two religions have a different view of man. Buddhism teaches that man is trapped in the cycle of reincarnation, having no soul and no value. Christianity teaches that man is the product of a loving and caring God. He is made in the image of God, and he possesses a soul and extreme worth (Gen. 1:26-27; Matt. 16:26). God’s care for man can be seen in His earnest desire to dwell with man in eternity (1 Pet. 1:3-5).
Salvation
Buddhism teaches that salvation is a break from suffering and the cycle of reincarnation, which is attained through wisdom, ethics and discipline. The teachings of Christ state that man is a sinner, violating the will of God, and he can do nothing to earn his salvation (Eph. 2:8-9). God sent his Son to die on the cross to take away the sins of the world (Jn. 3:16). Those that trust and obey God are forgiven of their sins and allowed entrance into heaven once this life is over (2 Tim. 4:8; Jas. 1:12).
Consider the differences between Buddhism and Christianity. Christ invites you to become His disciple by committing your life to His will (Matt. 11:28-30). The benefits of being in Christ are forgiveness of sins (Eph. 1:7) and a restored relationship with our Father in heaven (2 Cor. 5:17-21).
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I AM the way, the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father
except through Me.
- John 14:6
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