Why Is Buddhism Better Than Traditional Christianity?
Introduction –
For the last fifty years, Buddhism has been gaining followers in numerous Western countries such as Australia (website). This development has progressed so far, that one could even say Buddhism is becoming completely mainstream in a sense that it is no longer confined to an Asian immigrant minority. The attractions of Buddhism are threefold and these account for its popularity. Firstly, Buddhism emphasises peace and harmony which are very desirable to modern driven men and women. Secondly, Buddhism offers a more flexible moral outlook than traditional Christianity, and this appeals to modern individualism. Thirdly, Buddhism’s emphasis on detachment is appealing to those who are dellusionised by modern western consumerism. …show more content…
In particular, these two religions, like many other world religions of the east and west concentrate on human ethics through belief, worship, and practice. Similarities and differences are evident in both theory and practice between the two religions. Buddhism teaches that morality is something we create for ourselves based purely on what is found to be beneficial rather than objectively right or good. The Society for the Promotion of Buddhism agrees when it states that “There is no discrimination between right and wrong, but people make a distinction for their own convenience”. The Buddhist Precepts are sometimes compared to the Ten Commandments of the Abrahamic religions such as Christianity. However, the Precepts are not commandments, but principles, and it is up to Buddhists to determine how to apply these principles in their lives. Buddhism is greatly attractive because it sets humans free to take charge of their lives without fear of any powerful third party intervention. It leaves room for a range of interpretations. It gives full control of the person to conduct their life without fear of punishment or desire for reward by an external agent. It tells the person that their actions, thoughts, and speech are their own
For the last fifty years, Buddhism has been gaining followers in numerous Western countries such as Australia (website). This development has progressed so far, that one could even say Buddhism is becoming completely mainstream in a sense that it is no longer confined to an Asian immigrant minority. The attractions of Buddhism are threefold and these account for its popularity. Firstly, Buddhism emphasises peace and harmony which are very desirable to modern driven men and women. Secondly, Buddhism offers a more flexible moral outlook than traditional Christianity, and this appeals to modern individualism. Thirdly, Buddhism’s emphasis on detachment is appealing to those who are dellusionised by modern western consumerism. …show more content…
In particular, these two religions, like many other world religions of the east and west concentrate on human ethics through belief, worship, and practice. Similarities and differences are evident in both theory and practice between the two religions. Buddhism teaches that morality is something we create for ourselves based purely on what is found to be beneficial rather than objectively right or good. The Society for the Promotion of Buddhism agrees when it states that “There is no discrimination between right and wrong, but people make a distinction for their own convenience”. The Buddhist Precepts are sometimes compared to the Ten Commandments of the Abrahamic religions such as Christianity. However, the Precepts are not commandments, but principles, and it is up to Buddhists to determine how to apply these principles in their lives. Buddhism is greatly attractive because it sets humans free to take charge of their lives without fear of any powerful third party intervention. It leaves room for a range of interpretations. It gives full control of the person to conduct their life without fear of punishment or desire for reward by an external agent. It tells the person that their actions, thoughts, and speech are their own