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
most 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
from pain and suffering". Buddha taught all his followers to
treat all other living things with love and respect.
Throug ...