Since about 75% of American adults identify themselves as Christian and only
0.5% view themselves as Buddhist, it may be useful to compare Buddhism
with the U.S.'s dominant religion.
We define as "Christian" any person or group who thoughtfully,
sincerely, prayerfully regard themselves as Christian. This is the
definition that pollsters and the census offices of many countries use. It
includes as Christians the full range of faith
groups who consider themselves to be Christians, including Assemblies of God
members, Presbyterians, Roman Catholics, Southern Baptists, United Church
members, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, etc. Many Christians have a much less
inclusive definition of the term "Christian."
Beliefs not shared: Buddhists do not share most of the
core beliefs of
historical Christianity and many of the less critical beliefs accepted by
some Christians. Buddhism does not teach:
Salvation achieved through good works (a
traditional liberal Christian belief) or through specific beliefs (as in
conservative Protestant faith groups) and/or
sacraments (as in the Roman Catholic Church).
Eternal life spent in either a heaven or hell after death.
Return of a savior to earth at some time in the future.
Some shared beliefs:
Buddhism and Christianity share some features:
Ethic of Reciprocity: Buddhism, Christianity and all of the
other major world religions share a basic
rule of behavior which governs how they are to treat others. Two quotations from Buddhist texts which reflect this Ethic are:
"...a state that is not pleasing or delightful to me, how could I inflict that upon another?" Samyutta NIkaya v. 353.
Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful." Udana-Varga 5:18.
This compares closely to Christianity's Golden Rule, which is seen in:
"Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." Matthew 7:12.
"...and don't do what you hate..." Gospel of Thomas 6.
Life after death: Almost all religions teach that a person's personality continues after
death. In fact, many religious historians believe that this belief was
the prime reason that motivated people to
originally create religions. Christianity and Buddhism are no exception. However, they conceive of life after death in
very different forms:
Buddhism teaches that humans are trapped in a repetitive cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth. One's goal is to escape from this
cycle and reach Nirvana. Once this is attained, the mind experiences complete freedom, liberation and non-attachment. Suffering ends because desire and craving -- the
causes of suffering -- are no more.
Christianity has historically taught that everyone has only a single life on earth. After death, an eternal life awaits everyone:
either in Heaven or Hell. There is no suffering in Heaven; only joy.
Torture is eternal without any hope of cessation for the inhabitants of Hell.
Themes of morality, justice, love: These themes are found
through both the Buddha's teaching and the Hebrew and Christian Bible.
Beliefs shared by some Buddhist traditions and Christianity:
In its original forms, Buddhism did not teach of the existence of transcendent, immanent, or any other type of God, Gods,
Goddess, and/or Goddesses. However, many Buddhists -- particularly in Japan -- do believe in a pantheon of deities.
Some traditions within Buddhism believe in the power of prayer; others do not.
Some Buddhists believe in Miroku, the "future Buddha." They expect
Buddha to be reborn in our future and spread Buddhism further.
