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What are some similarities and differences between Jesus and the Buddha?
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12 Replies
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Per the lecture, Jesus and the Buddha are similar in that (1) each founded a major world religion, (2) each exhibited compassion and gathered followers, (3) each led lives that were recorded in sacred scriptures, (4) each emphasized finding peace within oneself and with others, and (5) each taught basic moral principles. As for differences, there were five centuries that separated Buddha from Jesus’ birth thus reflecting on the reliability of the writings of Jesus’ eyewitnesses in comparison to the writings of Siddhartha Gautama. Ultimate reality for followers of Jesus is heaven. For Buddha, it is nirvana which, to me, is not very inspiring. In nirvana, one ceases to exist. In heaven one lives forever in a personal relationship with God/Jesus. For Buddha, man has no soul. For Jesus, the soul is the person, the person is the soul.
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Both are founders of a religion whose lives are recorded in sacred Scriptures. They both exhibit compassion and emphasize peace and morality. Both have gathered followers as they lived and over time.
However, the accounts of Jesus were written within decades of his life, crucifixion, and resurrection. The accounts of Buddha were far removed from history, being written centuries after his life on earth.
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Both are historical founders of major religions. Both showed compassion and gathered followers to themselves. Both emphasize the pursuit of peace. Both taught moral laws about love and respect.
However, Buddhism has a large body of texts which are about 400-500 years removed from the life of the Buddha, while the gospels about Jesus, as well as the epistles, were written just decades after the life of Jesus. Miracles are not central to the message of Buddhism, but miracles are central to Christianity.
#apologetics
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The similarities and differences between Jesus and Buddha are that they both world-historical founders of major religions. They both exhibited profound compassion and gathered followers. They both emphasized the need to find enduring peace with yourself and others. They both taught ethical teachings on love and respect, the “Golden Rule.” The differences are that in Buddha miracles are not centural to the message of Buddha. The Four Gospels in the New Testament are written by eyewittnesses or those who consulted with them. Miracles are central to the message of Jesus.
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They both were given a divine status among their people, Jesus said he was the son of God, Buddha never did.