Similarities Between Christianity And Buddhism

Some of the important similarities between Christianity and Buddhism in the Classical World are that they both have a single founder of the religion, Prince Siddhartha Gautama ( Buddha or Enlightened One) founded Buddhism, and Jesus introduced Christianity. Christianity and Buddhism both appealed to women and peasants, and taught the spiritual equality between all believers. Buddhism attracted those suppressed by the caste system. Another important similarity is that both faiths gained more followers outside their places of origin. Christianity began in southwest Asia and spread from Middle East into North Africa, Turkey, and Europe. Christianity remains dominant religion to this day in Europe. Buddhism, on the other hand, began in South Asia and spread across the Indian Ocean, and by the Silk Road from India to China. Christianity and Buddhism spread by the work of
Buddhism has a concept that someone has to work for his or hers salvation to reach nirvana, while people have the gift of salvation from Jesus if they accept him as their savior. Another important difference between the faiths is that the main teachings of Buddhism and Christianity were different, Buddhism told to follow Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path to reach nirvana and end suffering, while Christianity had 10 commandments and faith in God’s son Jesus to reach salvation. Also Buddhism teaches the idea of the cycle of birth and rebirth and reincarnation, while Christianity teaches that people have one life- one chance.
Factors that account for the differences between Christianity and Buddhism indicated in part b are that Christianity was formed from Judaism, and Buddhism derived from Hinduism. Christianity is a monotheistic religion- believing in one god, while Buddhism is polytheistic religion- believing in many