Differences Between Buddha and Jesus

For all the similarities detailed in the last excerpt, there are ten areas of major difference between Buddhism and Christianity. The next table summarizes these. In this comparison, every effort has been made to present each religion in as positive and objective a light as possible, consistent with the beliefs of conservative practitioners of that religion.¹



Type of Difference	Buddhism	Christianity

1. What It Is All About	A method of right living and self-guided mind control via meditation modeled by Buddha. The goal is to be freed from reincarnation and suffering. God is not relevant to one's ability to do this.	A personal relationship with God's crucified and risen Son, Jesus, that empowers believers with the Spirit of God. The goal is to love God and all people and to gain eternal life in heaven.
2. Journey of the Soul	Repeated reincarnation. Life is largely predetermined by past lives' karma. One has little free will, and it is very hard to work off bad karma.	Resurrection once to eternal life. Free will is pervasive. God can quickly forgive all past and future deeds that create bad karma.
3. Accessibility to Liberation	Only a very select few attain it.	Readily available to everyone.
4. Mercy, Grace, and Forgiveness	These concepts are foreign to Buddhism.	God is eager to extend these and people should, too.
5. Losing One's Self and Dealing with Suffering	The goal is to become detached. The existence of the soul is an illusion.	The goal is to lose the self in a relationship with a personal God. The soul is eternal.
6. Works vs. Faith	One reaches enlightenment through meditation and right living.	Salvation is by faith alone.
7. Being a Follower	Truth lies deep within. Follow Buddha's example and teachings.	Sin lies within; Jesus is the Truth. Follow the Holy Spirit and the Bible.
8. Many Paths vs. One Path	Many paths are possible: Buddha is only one of many enlightened ones. Occult beliefs and practices are okay.	Jesus, who is divine, is the only way to God. All occult beliefs and practices are evil and forbidden.
9. Nature of the Universe	The universe always existed. All is one. All conscious beings (humans and animals) are basically equal.	God created the universe. Reality has two opposite natures. There is a clear hierarchy among beings.
10. Women	Men are almost always superior to women.	Women are frequently regarded as being equal, or nearly equal, to men.

Given the contrasts highlighted above, it would be difficult to see how someone could be both a Buddhist and a Christian at the same time. These are not minor issues that could easily be compromised. Instead, they are major tenets of each religion that are mutually exclusive. The reality is that both religions are very narrow, but in radically different ways. The narrowness of Buddhism, which is its ultimate impracticality, is highlighted in number 3 above. The narrowness of Christianity, which is its doctrinal intolerance, is underscored in number 8.

Footnotes

¹In preparing this comparison I had a Buddhist lama (who shall remain anonymous) review the bulk of the commentary about Buddhism for its fairness and accuracy. His assistance was invaluable and much appreciated.