Buddhism Vs. Abrahamic Religions
Buddhism is one of the oldest religions. It dates back to the 6th century BCE. Buddhism is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, a spiritual leader from ancient India. Buddha taught four noble truths, which form the basis of Buddhism doctrines. These truths are: suffering exists, suffering has a cause, suffering has an end, and there is a path that leads to an end to suffering. Abrahamic religions, on the other believe in the existence and worship of the God that appeared to Abraham. They are Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.
Some similarities exist between Abrahamic religions and Buddhism. First, the doctrines of both religions are centered on the teachings of a spiritual leader; the five precepts from Buddha, and the laws given by God respectively. Additionally, both religions have sacred texts which describe tenets of the faith. Christians, Jews, and Muslims have the Holy Bible, Torah, and Quran, respectively. Buddhists have the Tripitaka.
Contrasting characteristics include the belief in a deity and the concept of sin. Buddhists do not believe in a deity or god; their aim is to achieve a state of inner peace and wisdom called nirvana. Buddha is only considered an extraordinary man. On the contrary, Abrahamic religions believe in the existence and worship of one supreme God. The precepts by Buddha are only recommendations on how Buddhists should live but not commandments; there is therefore no concept of sin. In Abrahamic religions, failure to obey commandments is a sin that can only be forgiven by God.
The two religions share some values. Buddhists believe in the law of Karma, that is, for every cause there is an effect. Abrahamic religions similarly advocate that people do unto others what they would want to be done unto them. They also both believe that life continues in some form after death.