RUNNING HEAD: Critical Thinking Assignment

Critical Thinking Assignment

John Shisler
APOL 104-D76
Part One
The worldview that I have chosen for this assignment is Buddhism. One thing to note
about Buddhism is that it was, according to Hindson and Caner (2008), Founded in the sixth
century before the birth of Jesus Christ (p. 114). This is important to note because Buddhism, as
it was forming, had no chance to recognize Jesus as a savior because he did not exist at the time.
When it comes to the Question of Origin, Thera (2009) states that Buddhists subscribe to the idea
that the beginning of this world and of life is inconceivable since they have neither beginning
nor end. On the Question of Identity, Buddhism teaches not to concentrate on the physical self
at all. Buddhism, according to Wijesiri (2012), teaches we pay attention to the fear, desire,
ambition and clinging that motivate the building of self-identity. This is to say that we need to
not concentrate so much on who we are as what we want to become, which, in Buddhisms case,

Critical Thinking Assignment

is enlightened. When it comes to the Question of Meaning/Purpose, Religion facts (2005)

states plainly that in Buddhism, the primary purpose of life is to end suffering. The Buddha
taught that humans suffer because we continually strive after things that do not give lasting
happiness. This is to say that we have a higher purpose than to try to make ourselves happy. We
have a greater purpose to help end suffering throughout humanity. When speaking on the
Question of Morality, according to OBrien (2011), the Buddhist view is that moral behavior
flows naturally from mastering one's ego and desires and cultivating loving kindness (metta) and
compassion (karuna). This goes along with their Question of Meaning/Purpose in that you dont
focus on yourself, but you focus on the greater good. When it comes to the Question of Destiny,
Buddhas perspective of mans destiny (2009) tells us According to the Buddha, our destiny is
neither controlled by God nor predetermined nor by accident. However, the Buddha did say
Kamma is a primary cause of our present life. Or to a certain extent, we may say that it is Karma
that determines our life or our destiny. This is stating that how much good we do helps
determine how much enlightenment we can find and how the course of our lives will run.

Part Two
There are many differences between the Buddhist worldview and the Biblical/Christian
Worldview. For starters, Buddhists dont believe that humans can comprehend the beginning of
the world. As Christians, we are given the story of Creation in our first book in the Bible. We
believe that God created the heavens and the earth. We also believe that He created all of the
earths creatures and then humans to watch over His creation. Another difference comes from the
Question of Identity. Christianity teaches us that we are to watch over the animals on the earth

Critical Thinking Assignment

and we are more important than they are. Buddhism really does not have a concept for this and
concentrates more on speaking about the path to enlightenment through having no ego. When
talking about the Question of Meaning/Purpose, Christianity teaches us that we are here to honor
God, teach the Word of God, and spread the teachings of Jesus. Buddhism does not speak about
teaching but rather talks about just trying to better the world. Buddhism speaks of ending
suffering as our purpose for being on this earth. When talking about the Question of Morality,
Buddhism talks about not having and ego and using all of your efforts to better the world, again
looping in with their Question of Meaning/Purpose ideas. Christianity sets down specific rules
for how we should act. Micah 6:8, for example, speaks of acting justly, being humble, and loving
those around us. These are the best ways to do what is right in the eyes of the Lord. Finally, when
it comes to the Question of Destiny, Buddhism speaks mainly of how we create our own destiny
with our own actions and we can come back to this earth in different forms depending on how
we act. Christianity, on the other hand, talks about an after-life. We are given examples of what
will happen to us in the after-life depending on how we act. Revelation 20:11-15, for example,
speaks of how we are judged by how we acted during our lives. Matthew 12:36-37 speaks of
how we will be judged and condemned depending on how we acted during this life.

References
Buddhas perspective of mans destiny (March, 2009). Retrieved from
http://edge.jadebuddha.org/2009/03/buddhas-perspective-of-mans-destiny.html
Hindson, E., & Caner, E. (2008). The popular encyclopedia of apologetics: Surveying the
evidence for the truth of christianity. Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers.

Critical Thinking Assignment

O'Brien, B. (2011). Buddhism and morality. Retrieved from

http://buddhism.about.com/od/basicbuddhistteachings/a/morality1.htm
Religion facts. (January 2, 2005). Retrieved from
http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/beliefs/purpose.htm
Thera, K. S. D. M. (2009). Chapter 16 - realms of existence. Retrieved from
http://www.buddhanet.net/budsas/ebud/whatbudbeliev/297.htm
Weider, L., & Gutierrez, B. (2011). Consider. Virginia Beach, VA: Academx Publishing Services,
Inc.
Wijesiri, L. (May 5, 2012). Question of identity, a buddhist perspective. Retrieved from
http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2012/05/06/imp01.asp