Buddha and Christ's Similarities and Differences

" Many stories, examples, and doctrines of Buddha are unmistakably similar to the tradition in the Gospels which discuss the life and doctrines of Christ. For example, both Buddha and the Nazarene were baptized in the presence of a spirit, both fasted in solitude for long periods, both were tempted by evil at the beginning of their ministry, and both were called upon to provide a sign from the masses before they believed. Other similarities include both Buddha and Christ striving to create a kingdom of paradise on earth. superstar scholar notes that "both were itinerant preachers with a close chemical group of trustees within a larger group of disciples, [and] both demanded that their disciples renounce all worldly possessions," (Buddha, p. 1).

Despite such similarities, there are also distinctions in the life and philosophies of Buddha and Jesus. Buddha believed in the concepts of r

eincarnation and karma, concepts that encompassed a cycle of life, death, and reincarnation in order to atone for one's sins. As Durant (p.

427) notes, Buddha recalled: "I motto beings passing away and being reborn, low and high, of groovy and giving color, in happy or miserable existences, according to their Karma." Karma is a universal law by which every act of good or evil will be rewarded or punish in this life or some later incarnation.

One can readily see some of the similarities and differences in the lives and philosophies of Jesus Christ and Buddha. One other important distinction that separates the 2 is that Christ's teachings were designed to socially instruct individuals on the means of financial support a life condoned by God, while Buddha's teachings were a more individualistic philosophy of being.

"Buddha v. Jesus." Viewed on Nov 17, 2004: http://www.geocities.com /Tokyo
Order your essay at Orderessay and get a 100% original and high-quality custom paper within the required time frame.