When God Meets the Buddha
What happens when a Christian meets a Buddhist? Do they have common views? How can different religions harmonize and what is the current situation? Khenpo Sodargye discusses these and other questions in this talk.
The Similarities Between Christianity and Buddhism
Excerpt 1: The Similarities Between Christianity and Buddhism — Patience and Forgiveness
Patience and forgiveness are virtues promoted by both Christianity and Buddhism as part of daily practice. In Christianity, there is a very famous teaching, “If someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also”. The same can be found in Buddhism with the four principles for Shramana, “I do not fight back when others strike me; I do not retort when others scold me; I do not seek revenge when others harm me; I do not react with scorn when others despise and insult me”. In short, there is no need to be angry and react tit for tat exchanges.
Excerpt 2: The Similarities Between Christianity and Buddhism — Generosity
Christianity advocates the practice of giving. We can usually see Christians supporting construction of hospitals, schools and other public facilities for the common good. Correspondingly, Buddhism has three types of generosity. The first is the generosity of giving the Dharma, which can be read as giving education and wisdom. Then, the generosity of giving material goods means giving other material needs. The last is the generosity of giving protection which means rescuing others’ lives when they are in danger.
Excerpt 3: What Is a Beneficial Mindset to Live on the Earth?
It is always better to be open and broad-minded when studying and researching religion. By doing this, we can attain happiness while living on the earth. Meanwhile, every believer can enrich greatly the material and spiritual resource to the world. If we can integrate all of these, we can make very meaningful contributions to humankind.
Excerpt 4: What Will Happen When You Reach The Ultimate Compassion?
The aim of training the mind, in both Buddhism and Christianity, is to achieve an ultimate level of spirituality. According to a great Buddhist treatise, Commentary on Valid Cognition , the Buddha’s achievement is his attainment of ultimate compassion. Since the concept of love and compassion share the same meaning, we can directly view Buddha as the ultimate state of love, which corresponds to God as the ultimate love in Christianity. However, this state of love probably cannot be understood by ordinary minds nor explained by words.
Excerpt 5: The Most Attractive Power in the World — Unconditional Love
Buddhist and Christian doctrine both indicate that all sinners should be forgiven on the basis of wisdom and love. Forgiveness can also be practiced when others are hurting you. Great examples of such act are found in the biography of Buddha Shakyamuni sacrificing his precious life for the sake of all beings in many previous lives and the crucifixion of Jesus. These stories exemplify ideals of unselfish and unconditional love. Therefore, I believe only this kind of unselfish love can bring more happiness for all beings, which is indeed the most appealing thing in the world.
The Similarities Between Christianity and Buddhism
In Christianity, there is a very famous teaching, “If someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also”. The same can be found in Buddhism with the four principles for Shramana, “I do not fight back when others strike me; I do not retort when others scold me; I do not seek revenge when others harm me; I do not react with scorn when others despise and insult me.”
What Is a Beneficial Mindset to Live on the Earth?
It is always better to be open and broad-minded when studying and researching religion. By doing this, we can attain happiness while living on the earth. Meanwhile, every believer can enrich greatly the material and spiritual resource to the world. If we can integrate all of these, we can make very meaningful contributions to humankind.
“The ultimate love advocated by different religions is the unconditional dedication to serving others. When such love is manifested by anyone, whether the Buddha or Jesus or even an ordinary layperson, it is truly amazing.”
