Compare And Contrast Christianity And Buddhism

Jack Dosik
30 September 2014
AP World Pd_1
Mrs. Chevits
Christianity and Buddhism C&C Christianity and Buddhism are both religions that affected masses of people. Their origins are both offshoots from older religions. Christianity is an offshoot from Judaism and Buddhism is an offshoot from Hinduism. Buddhism originated in Nepal, India in 536 B.C.E., while Christianity originated in the Roman Provence of Judea around 33 A.D. Through 500 B.C.E. to 600 A.D. Buddhism spread from east India to the northern and western parts of the country. Eventually it was spread upwards in Asia and then eastward down the Silk Road and south to nearby islands. Christianity spread from Judea upwards at first and then eventually to all around the Mediterranean Sea in its beginning stages. Christianity went on to be the dominant religion of the world, but both religions are alive and influential today.
Buddhism affected the lives of the citizens of the Mauryan Empire.
The emperor, Ashoka, converted to Buddhism during his reign from 269 to 232 B.C.E. He taught his people to reject violence and to respect all living things. He changed the Empire by ending wars of conquest, and in turn other countries did the same. In comparison, Christianity also impacted the people of areas around the Mediterranean. The missionary work of Paul impacted the life of many people during the beginnings of Christianity. Because Christianity was such a radical change of lifestyle during the Roman Empire, the religion was banned and many people were put to death for practicing it. Christianity led to the death of many people before its acceptance in the Roman Empire. The Impact of Buddhism and Christianity in their early stages contrasted by Buddhism being a religion that lessened violence and Christianity being a religion that brought it
about. Buddhism’s spread, although very wide and influential, did not nearly cover the territory that was reached from the spread of Christianity. Christianity is a religion that promises eternal salvation after death, and that promise drew in heaps of followers. Unlike Buddhism, where one must earn their enlightenment to free themself from the cycle of life, Christianity provides a promised truth for an easy escape route to heaven; just have faith in Jesus. More people could adapt to the lifestyle of Christianity and its promised afterlife than that of Buddhism, which is why Christianity so easily spread throughout the world. In contrast, Buddhism had mainly only spread around Asia. Christianity and Buddhism were religions created by people with very different lives. The founder of Christianity, Jesus Christ, was raised Jewish and lived in what a normal family would be back in the beginning of the Common Era. Conversely, the Buddha was at first a ruler but then chose to starve himself and meditate under a tree. Both people believed that they reached some form of higher understanding of the world and began to teach people of the knowledge they gained. Buddhism was better received than Christianity. Buddhists for the most part were allowed to go about their business, while on the other hand Christians were sentenced to death for practicing their religion. This was possibly due to the fact of how unwaveringly stubborn early Christians were about proving their faith to Jesus. Even when offered a choice of death or appeasement to political officials, early Christians remained disobedient to those in power by choosing death with Jesus over acknowledgement of the Roman gods. The Origins, spread, and impact of Buddhism and Christianity are alike and unlike in separate ways. That being said, today both are still relevant and recognizable by most people and continue to influence politics, art, and the way people live.