A Buddhist worldview
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5/10/2024
RLGN104
The Buddhists views on the universe and its origin is pretty simple, they don’t have a specific
creation story and unlike most religions the religion focuses more on the nature of existence as a
whole and existing. The Buddhists believe in something called a cosmology meaning the
universe itself is seen as a cycle of birth, existence, decay, and rebirth. Basically, this means they
care more about birth, living, death and being reborn in the end rather than how somebody
chooses to live their life. We can see the concept of rebirth a lot in the bible like in Ephesians
4:22-24. This verse explains putting your old self away and allowing your spirit of your mind to
be renewed while having a new self-created.
The idea of what it means to be human to the Buddhists stands on six concepts, Impermanence,
suffering, no-self, potential for enlightment and interconnectedness. In simple terms, the
Buddhists live by these strict rules but still focus of existence and the nature of reality making
these “rules” deeply intertwined within the religion itself. The bible brings up the idea and
concept of suffering in 1 Peter 4:12-19 and it making you blessed because of it. The Buddhist
religion shares these views in a way because of its roots in their religion. Suffering is a big topic
in the roots of the Buddhist religion because it shows humanity and life itself.
In Buddhism the concept of purpose and actually very different and approached different than
other religions, and this is because the religion doesn’t serve one single purpose or meaning in a
human’s life. The religion, while not having a single purpose and meaning does explain in 5
ways humans can gather that fulfillment and meaning through their existence. This is achieved
by ending suffering, to which the bible also mentions in 1 Peter 5:10. Ending suffering is one of
the main ideas of fulfillment in the Buddhist religion as their whole idea roots in suffering or as
others would say nirvana and although it’s not technically a purpose it’s a guiding principle for
those looking for the fulfillment.
When it comes to morality, the Buddhist religion it plays a crucial role towards the path of
liberation from suffering. The key aspects of this are really surrounded by the five percepts.
These basically intel you wont kill, steal, engage in sexual behavior, wont lie , and refusing
intoxication. The bible also mentions this in its six commandments/Deuteronomy 5:7-22.. These
are just about the same in actuality as the two religions are rooted in these rules to help in their
mission of salvation.
Lastly the idea of death and how the Buddhist religion incorporates it into their teachings. In the
Buddhists believe in the idea of rebirth, and unlike Christianity nobody goes to find a god and
instead is rebirthed into another existence and even potentially a different form (ex: plant,
animal). In Ephesians 4:22-24 we see the concept of rebirth but in a different concept from what
the Buddhists preach and relay on. Instead of being reborn back into the world Christianity sees
it as a new creation god himself has given after death.
When it comes to the Buddhists worldview, even different we can still find ways to incorporate
the bible to support its beings.
References
Deuteronomy 5:7-22, New Living Translation
Ephesians 4:22-24, New Living Translation
1 Peter 4:12-19, New Living Translation
1 Peter 5:10, New Living Translation
