Christianity and Buddhism are different religions, yet compare and contrast greatly. Though founded at different periods of time, Christianity and Buddhism have shaped cultures and have had a great influence on people all around the world with origins, customs and beliefs. Siddhartha Gautama was born about 563 B. C. He left his wealthy lifestyle when he was about 29 to seek wisdom. For years, he found not wisdom but only pain. After meditating for several days under a tree, enlightenment finally came to him.
He would now be known as the Buddha or “enlightened one. ” Buddha and Jesus, the founder of Christianity, are alike and different in many ways. Jesus of Nazareth was born about A. D 6. He claimed to be the son of God, but was disliked by those who practiced other religions. When he was about 33 years old, Jesus was tried and prosecuted for heresy. He was then sentenced to be crucified. After his death, Paul continued to spread Christianity throughout the world. More than a thousand years later, it became one of the ost widely known practices in the world, just as Buddhism has. Christians and Buddhists have their own customs and beliefs. Followers of Christianity are to love thy Lord first and love thy neighbor as thyself. Jesus gained large crowds and followers by performing miracles.
Since Christians are only to worship the Lord, they are monotheist. Buddhism, however is quite different. Buddha taught his followers the Four Noble Truths, the main ideas of seeking enlightenment. In addition to seeking enlightenment, people could reach nirvana, or a “release rom pain and suffering”. Buddha taught all his followers to treat all other living things with love and respect. Throughout both their lives, Jesus and Buddha spread the teachings they taught, Christianity and Buddhism. After the resurrection of Jesus after his death in A. D 33, the disciples began to spread the word about Jesus. Paul, one of the disciples of Jesus, spent the rest of his life preaching and spreading Christianity to Jews and non-Jews alike. Just like Jesus, Buddha spread his teachings throughout his life.
Buddhism was appealing to many people born into the lower classes of Hinduism. It was also especially appealing to women, because they served as a much lower class. Buddhism does not require complex rituals like Hinduism. Just like when these religions were first introduced into the world, they have had a major influence on our culture. Today, many people follow Christianity and Buddhism because of the beliefs and customs. These religions grow with population and are growing stronger all the time.
