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Critical Thinking Research Paper:
Buddhism and Christianity
Sarah Paris
L30553939
RLGN 104-D13
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Worldviews span across time, languages, countries, cultures, and religions. They come as
different as the individuals who hold them, some following tradition and others veering off into
unique territory. Though much could be said about different worldviews, there are two that, at
first glance, appear to be irreconcilably different, but may have some similarities that can be
used to bridge the gap between ideologies and people groups. Understanding these differences
is important for use in relationship-building and evangelism. These worldviews are Buddhism
and Christianity.
Contrary to what Christianity believes about the origins of the universe laid out in
Genesis 1:1-3 that there is a Creator God, all-powerful, all-knowing, and infinitely creative,
Buddhism teaches a theory of interdependence. Nothing had a beginning, and nothing has an
end, but rather everything in existence depends on each other, existing in a continuous life-
circle in relationship to one another.2 Though Buddhism does not acknowledge a Creator, it
acknowledges the importance of creation. The Buddhist carries an understanding that there is
much to learn from the earth and all the creatures therein. A similar admonishment is found in
Job 12:7-10, declaring that the Lord rules over all. It is here the Christian and the Buddhist can
connect on matters of the origin of the universe. Though Christians do not view nature as holy,
they respect it as something given to them by their Creator, and should therefore be respected.
Every aspect of the Buddhist belief system teaches the doctrine of self-denial. A
Buddhist seeks to be one with nature, dismissing their human needs in favor of
“enlightenment”. They do not view themselves as higher than animals or nature. They seek to
become one.4 This is contrary to the teachings of Christianity where humans, being made in the
image of God, were, from the very beginning, given dominion and authority over the animals
and the rest of creation, as is said in Genesis 1:26. These two practices seem contradictory, but
upon closer look, they hold similarities. In an attempt to let go of self, a Buddhist holds many of
the same values as a Christian, who seeks to put their selfish ways behind in pursuit of God’s
greater purpose. Buddhists value charity and hold a disdain for material objects, just as
Christians are called to do in Proverbs 11:25, and again in Matthew 19:24. Buddhists seek purity
of heart. Jesus calls Christians to do the same in Matthew 5:8.
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Fritz Chery says, “Buddhism is an attempt to answer the problem of suffering.”9 This
eloquently describes Buddhism’s belief regarding the purpose of humanity. Suffering is
inescapable. It crosses all boundaries and infects the lives of all who walk the earth. The
attempt to alleviate suffering in the lives of others can be referred to as social justice, which is
something Christians should strive for. It is here that Christianity and Buddhism closely align. In
Micah 6:8, God gives His people three requirements. To act justly is one of these. Throughout
the Bible, God admonishes His people to seek justice for the oppressed and the needy. Unlike
Buddhists, Christians can have hope for an end to suffering through Jesus, relying on the
promise He gave in John 16:33.
Buddhism’s idea of morality is vague and based on its connection to nature, being as it is
a form of pantheism. Karma may exist as a possibility of punishment, but ultimately, through
their reincarnated self, any sin that may be committed is correctable. Morality is relative.9 In
Christianity, rather than sins being committed against nature, they are committed against a holy
God, who is the foundation of morality and the judge of sin.12 Like karma, there are
consequences for sin. Sometimes they may be here on Earth, such as when a child disobeys
their mother and touches the hot stove and gets burned, or without Jesus, those consequences
may be something a person faces when answering to God on Judgment Day.13
In Buddhism, a person is stuck in a continual cycle of reincarnation until they are able to
reach such a state of separation from self that they reach Nirvana, which literally means
“extinction.”14 Christians believe the soul is an eternal being, after death destined to spend
eternity either with God in Heaven, or without Him in Hell, depending on whether or not they
have placed their faith in Jesus, as is detailed in John 3:16. Death is a thing that, to some degree,
frightens most people. Both the Christian and the Buddhist look forward to something after
death. For Christians, it is Heaven. For Buddhists, it is the possibility of being closer to Nirvana.
The distance between the worldviews of Buddhism and Christianity is great, but not so
great that bridges cannot be built, and connections cannot be made. Evangelism is doable, and
relationships between the two different mindsets are possible. One being willing to learn about
the other, seeking understanding, is necessary. 814 words
Bibliography
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1. Holy Bible NIV Genesis 1:1-3 “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the
earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the
deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, ‘Let there
be light,’ and there was light.”
2. Trinh Xuan Thuan “Cosmic Design From A Buddhist Perspective” Annals of the New
York Academy of Sciences 2006
3. Holy Bible NIV Job 12:7-10 “’But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds
in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let
the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the
Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all
mankind.”
4. James Giles “The No-Self Theory: Hume, Buddhism, and Personal Identity” University
of Hawaii Press, 1993
5. Holy Bible NIV Genesis 1:26 “Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in
our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky,
over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move
along the ground.’”
6. Holy Bible NIV Proverbs 11:25 “A generous person will prosper, whoever refreshes
others will be refreshed.”
7. Holy Bible NIV Matthew 19:24 “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through
the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.”
8. Holy Bible NIV Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9. Fritz Chery “Christianity vs. Buddhism” Bible Reasons 2020
10. Holy Bible NIV Micah 6:8 “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does
the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with
your God.”
11. Holy Bible NIV John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have
peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the
world.”
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12. Holy Bible NIV Psalm 99:8 “Lord our God, you answered them; you were to Israel a
forgiving God, though you punished their misdeeds.”
13. Holy Bible NIV Hebrews 9:27 “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that
to face judgment,”
14. Lew Weider and Ben Gutierrez “Finding Your Worldview: Thinking Christianly About
the World.” 2013
15. Holy Bible NIV John 3:16 “For God so loved that world that he sent his one and only
Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
