Buddha and Jesus: Could Solomon Be the Missing Link? Read Online Free PDF Page B

practices quickly, this does not result in liberation (enlightenment). Progress towardliberation requires many years, if not many lifetimes, of consistent, intense meditation and moral discipline. Only an elite few are capable of this. Even fewer have lived the kind of morally pure lives (both in this life and in all past lives) necessary to set them free from the persistent drag of negative karma. So, for all practical purposes, Buddhism is a path most people are incapable of following to completion, making it extremely narrow. For example, those with attention deficit disorder (ADD) have absolutely no hope of liberation. The stark reality is that, in the world as Buddhism perceives it, the vast majority of people will spend an endless number of lifetimes reincarnating back into a suffering world.
    In contrast, liberation through Christ is universally accessible, and attaining liberation (salvation) as a result of a commitment based on faith often is very quick. The thief on the cross next to Jesus received salvation instantly after his confession of faith. 6 Because it emphasizes faith, rather than works and discipline, Christianity has ready appeal to people of ordinary or even lower levels of intelligence. It may even be hard for highly disciplined self-achievers to accept it because they are susceptible to believing that their superior efforts should be rewarded specifically.
    While the Buddhist who attains liberation is only ushered into a state of peace and nothingness after death, the true Christian gains immediate access to a personal, interactive relationship with a loving, compassionate Jesus in this life and an eternity with him and other believers in heaven.
    Chapter Fourteen provides an extended discussion of this key area of difference.

Major Contrast #4: Mercy, Grace, and Forgiveness (from God and Other People)

Buddhism
Christianity

Mercy, grace, and forgiveness are concepts that are virtually absent in Buddhism. There is no mercy, grace, or forgiveness to be received from a loving God or from other people. If “God” exists, it is impersonal and everywhere, like gravity.
A supreme God who controls the universe loves every person and is eager to show mercy, grace, and forgiveness to those who approach him in faith and humility. The Bible exhorts Christians (and Jews) to practice mercy, grace, and forgiveness toward one another.

    The Buddhist sees mercy, grace, and forgiveness as violations of the inevitable working out of karma for each person. Facing the consequences of one’s past deeds is part of karmic conditioning, as emphasized in Buddha’s First Noble Truth. In Christianity, when God exhibits mercy, grace, and forgiveness toward a believer, it is intended to free the individual from the spiritual burden of past misdeeds so that his or her relationship with God and with other people can be restored.

Major Contrast #5: Losing One’s Self and Dealing with Suffering

Buddhism
Christianity

Desire is the cause of suffering. Thus, all desire is bad and must be eliminated.
    Buddhist practices are ways of “checking out” of present reality to find peace and freedom from suffering. The goal is to become detached, impervious, and numbed from the pains of life.
    The idea that man has a soul is an illusion.
    Everyone is a closely interconnected part of the universe.
Rejoicing in God and desiring to help others are very good. Christians should rejoice when they are persecuted. When it causes spiritual growth, some suffering can be good.
    One is called to lose one’s self in the care, direction, inspiration, and protection of a loving, gracious, merciful, forgiving, all-powerful God.
    A personal God created each person with an eternal soul and unique personality so that he or she might have a rich and satisfying relationship with others and with God, both now and forever.

    The natural reaction of a Buddhist seeker to the above claims of Christianity is that they are too good to be true. Alternatively,