Essay/Term paper: Comparing and contrasting christianity and

Essay, term paper, research paper:  Religion

Christianity and Buddhism are different religions, yet
compare and contrast greatly. Though founded at different
periods of time, Christianity and Buddhism have shaped
cultures and have had a great influence on people all
around the world with origins, customs and beliefs.
Siddhartha Gautama was born about 563 B.C. He left his
wealthy lifestyle when he was about 29 to seek wisdom.
For years, he found not wisdom but only pain. After
meditating for several days under a tree, enlightenment
finally came to him. He would now be known as the
Buddha or "enlightened one." Buddha and Jesus, the
founder of Christianity, are alike and different in many
ways. Jesus of Nazareth was born about A. D 6. He
claimed to be the son of God, but was disliked by those
who practiced other religions. When he was about 33
years old, Jesus was tried and prosecuted for heresy. He
was then sentenced to be crucified. After his death, Paul
continued to spread Christianity throughout the world.
More than a thousand years later, it became one of the
most widely known practices in the world, just as
Buddhism has. Christians and Buddhists have their own
customs and beliefs. Followers of Christianity are to love
thy Lord first and love thy neighbor as thyself. Jesus gained
large crowds and followers by performing miracles. Since
Christians are only to worship the Lord, they are
monotheist. Buddhism, however is quite different. Buddha
taught his followers the Four Noble Truths, the main ideas
of seeking enlightenment. In addition to seeking
enlightenment, people could reach nirvana, or a "release
from pain and suffering". Buddha taught all his followers to
treat all other living things with love and respect.
Throughout both their lives, Jesus and Buddha spread the
teachings they taught, Christianity and Buddhism. After the
resurrection of Jesus after his death in A. D 33, the
disciples began to spread the word about Jesus. Paul, one
of the disciples of Jesus, spent the rest of his life preaching
and spreading Christianity to Jews and non-Jews alike. Just
like Jesus, Buddha spread his teachings throughout his life.
Buddhism was appealing to many people born into the
lower classes of Hinduism. It was also especially appealing
to women, because they served as a much lower class.
Buddhism does not require complex rituals like Hinduism.
Just like when these religions were first introduced into the
world, they have had a major influence on our culture.
Today, many people follow Christianity and Buddhism
because of the beliefs and customs. These religions grow
with population and are growing stronger all the time.