Christianity vs.

Buddhism
Carlee Heger

Compare and contrast the religious precepts of Christianity and

Buddhism. How do the architectural structures of each reflect their beliefs

and accommodate the worshippers of each religion.

Christianity and Buddhism are two of the worlds most popular religions. Around the
world people undertake in traditions and worship for both of these religions. Although these two
religions are so widely used, they come from very different places. The two religions believe and
keep faith in very different ideas. Although many principles of the religion are similar, the
fundamental beliefs of the religion remain unique. Buddhism and Christianity are different and
similar in many ways including the objectives and beliefs of the religions, the origins of the
religions, and the religious symbolism found in Christian and Buddhist architecture.
One of the main reasons Buddhism and Christianity are so different is seen in the main
goals of both religions. Buddhism is a non-theistic religion. The intention of Buddhism is to
reach enlightenment and to attain Nirvana. This means being released from the cycle of birth,
death , and rebirth. Reincarnation is a belief common to all buddhists and is thought to be a part
of the life cycle. Buddhists also do not believe in an all ruling god, they may believe in
something larger than themselves, but a specific god is not worshiped. The purpose of
Christianity, however, is to love the one all-ruling god unconditionally, to be released from sin,
and to spend eternal life in Heaven. This means Christians do not believe in reincarnation, and do
believe in one sole deity that rules all. Because Buddhists and Christians have very radically
different objectives, it makes each of their religions contrast in many ways.
The two origins of the religions have unique characteristics as well. Buddhism was
founded in Nepal, India in 563 B.C.E, however, the origin stories that follows the teachings of
Gautama Buddha take place much earlier. Buddha was said to be a prince before leaving his role
in power to become a spiritual leader. After Buddha had left his material wealth and lifestyle
behind, he set out to attain enlightenment. Along the way Buddha discovered the four noble
truths, pain is universal, desire causes pain, seizing to desire relieves pain, and right conduct
relives from pain. As Buddha took the Eight-fold Path that leads to insight, knowledge and
ultimate Nirvana, he discovered himself. Buddhism follows Buddhas teachings and the essence
of dharma. Buddha did not claim to be a god or supernatural being, only a human who shared his
methods and teachings.

Christianity and Buddhism are similar in that they both follow the teachings of a leader
that remains the face of the religion. Christianity was founded around 33 C.E on the life,
teachings, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus claimed to be the son of god, and Christians
believe that Jesus was the divine messiah sent to spread his methods and to save the people.
Jesus was eventually arrested and charged with religious disruption and was sentenced to
crucifixion. Crucifixion was a common form of Roman punishment in the time period. Jesus was
said to have died on a friday, and resurrected on a sunday. This resurrection and return to heaven
was seen as a divine act and is a large part of Jesus teachings.
Just as the beliefs and origins of both Christianity and Buddhism are different, so is their
architecture. Both types of religious architecture remain symbolic to the religion and represent
different meanings and messages. Buddhists have many sacred buildings including one of the
most sacred buildings, the Stupa. The Stupa is a Buddhist monument. It is often seen as a domed
mound. Although Stupas are not the only religious structure involved with Buddhism, they are
the most distinctive. Various Stupas around the world symbolize different things. Stupas usually
incase the ashes of buddhist monks and often are a place of meditation. Christians also have
sacred buildings used for prayer. Christian churches can be found almost anywhere in the world
today. Basilicas, now described as a large and important church that have been given large
ceremonial importance by the Pope, are sacred buildings in Christianity. Basilicas are often very
big and typically have large rectangular hallways. Adopted from the Roman secular city
buildings, they also often have arches and vaults. Both Buddhism and Christianity have unique
aspects to their religious architecture.
Buddhism and Christianity are widely practiced around the world today. Although they
are both large religions, they are radically different. They compare and contrast in many ways
and they both have advantages and disadvantages. Buddhism and Christianity share similarities
and differences in their objectives and beliefs, their origins, and their religious symbolism seen in
architecture.

Sources:
B.A. Robinson. "Comparison of Buddhism & Christianity." Religious Tolerance. Ontario
Consultants on Religious Tolerance, 5 Nov. 2010. Web. 12 Nov. 2014.
Fiero, Gloria K. The Humanistic Tradition. 6th ed. Boston: McGraw Hill, 2006. Print.
Gietmann, Gerhard, and Herbert Thurston. "Basilica." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 2. New
York: Robert Appleton Company, 1907. 12 Nov. 2014

Snodgrass, Adrian, The Symbolism of the Stupa. New York: Cornell University, 1985.