Buddhism and Christianity offer distinct perspectives on the ultimate goal of human existence and how it is attained. They offer the following different understandings:
- Cause of Suffering:
Buddhism: Buddhism believes life is suffering, caused by humanity’s craving, hatred, and delusion about the world. Since everything is impermanent, humans are constantly disappointed or dissatisfied with their circumstances. Their illusion of the existence of an independent self that needs to be satisfied adds further suffering.
Christianity: Christianity believes humanity suffers because of sins. Because of Adam’s original sin, humanity inherits Adam’s sinful nature, and everyone sins. Human lives are cursed, and they struggle to survive. Sins are damaging and can cause suffering to an individual, a family, a country, or even to the world. Sin can also result in punishment from God.
- The goal of Existence:
Buddhism: The goal of Buddhism is to stop the suffering of humanity by eliminating the causes of suffering, which are craving, hatred, and delusion. This will also liberate humans from the cycle of samsara (birth, death, and rebirth), which is considered a cycle of suffering.
Christianity: The goal of Christianity is to reconcile humanity with God, restore the broken relationship caused by sin, and attain salvation that leads to eternal communion with God in heaven. Repentance of our sins in salvation and works towards not sinning will reduce the suffering brought about by sins.
- Means of attainment:
Buddhist Nirvana: Nirvana is achieved by the work of men through the Noble Eightfold Path, which includes practices such as right understanding, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. It involves the cultivation of wisdom, ethical conduct, and moral discipline. It is a lengthy process that could take as long as multiple lifetimes.
Christian Salvation: Salvation is achieved through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It involves acknowledging one’s sinfulness, repentance, and accepting Jesus’s sacrificial death on the cross as atonement for sins. Salvation is a free gift from God, received through faith and not by human effort. Salvation can be attained instantly the moment one genuinely accepts Christ.
- Understanding of the Self:
Buddhism: Buddhism teaches the concept of non-self (anatta), which posits that there is no permanent, unchanging self or soul. The goal is to realize the impermanent and interdependent nature of existence and transcend the illusion of individual identity.
Christianity: Christianity teaches the existence of an eternal soul created by God. Human beings are precious, seen as distinct individuals with inherent worth and dignity, created in the image of God.
- Afterlife:
Buddhism: Nirvana is often described as a state beyond existence and non-existence, transcending the realm of samsara. It is not considered an afterlife in the traditional sense but rather a state of liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
Christianity: Christian salvation includes the belief in an afterlife where believers are united with God in heaven. It is characterized by eternal fellowship with God, the absence of suffering, and the fulfillment of God’s purposes for humanity.
- Creator God:
Buddhism: Buddhism does not believe in a Creator God. They believe in the karma god, and that one’s action creates one’s existence.
Christianity: Christianity believes in a Creator God who created heaven and earth, and created men in His own image. He is sovereign and is in constant control of everything.
- Complexity vs. Simplicity
Buddhism: It is a complex process in achieving Buddhist Nirvana.
Christianity: It is a simple, straightforward process in achieving Christian Salvation.
Both Christianity and Buddhism advocate kindness, love, compassion, and ethical living, aiming to alleviate suffering in life. However, upon closer examination of both religions, significant implications emerge. Buddhism attributes human suffering to desires and attachments, asserting that because nothing is permanent and desires inevitably go unmet as circumstances change, the solution lies in eliminating desires. Yet, this approach raises questions about the purpose of life devoid of desires and the satisfaction they bring, almost suggesting the annihilation of the individual self. In contrast, Christianity encourages followers to rejoice in life due to their relationship with Jesus (Philippians 4:4). Christianity views human life as sacred, being made in the image of God. As stewards of God’s creation, humans can desire and enjoy God’s creation, provided those desires are not sinful.
Buddhists may spend multiple lifetimes practicing the Noble Eightfold Path and meditation in pursuit of Nirvana, a state of ultimate peace and bliss beyond space and time. Nirvana is regarded as a state detached from dependencies or desires. It is hard to understand, as Buddha himself did not talk much about that. He wanted his followers to focus on reducing or eliminating the suffering in their current life to achieve peace, and not trying to figure out what Nirvana is. It is somewhere out there, but no one can give a clear and complete explanation of what it is. Conversely, believers in Christ can access peace at any moment by turning to Jesus, who offers supernatural peace (John 14:27). Christian salvation promises believers a place in heaven where God lives. It is described as a magnificent, beautiful place with streets of gold, no sickness and tear, and a place of peace and joy. (Revelation 21, 22).
The path to attaining Nirvana demands individual effort over potentially many lifetimes, with no guarantee of success. Conversely, Christian salvation is instant upon genuine acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, accompanied by repentance of sins (Romans 10:9). Assurance of eternal life is granted to those who have Jesus (1 John 5:12).