Download Theravada Buddhism

Theravada Mahayana
Buddhism Buddhism
Meaning
of birth
Way to
Truth
Goal of
spiritualit
y
Hinduism
Traditional
Judaism
The Gospel
We are
reborn from
a previous
life until we
reach
nirvana
(extinction
of all desire
and release
from
suffering).
The cycle of
death and
rebirth is
called
samsara.
We are reborn
from a
previous life
until we reach
nirvana
(extinction of
all desire and
release from
suffering). The
cycle of death
and rebirth is
called
samsara.
We are reborn
from a
previous life
until we
realize our
"oneness" with
Brahman. The
cycle of death
and rebirth is
called
samsara.
We are made
in the image
of God and
come into
the world
with the
capacity to
opt for good
or evil.
We are
made in
God's image
but come
into the
world
inclined to
sin because
of the sin of
Adam.
Redemption
is needed.
Follow the
teachings of
Buddha,
e.g., the
Four Truths
and the
Eightfold
Path. The
written
Scripture,
the
Tripitaka
("three
baskets"),
includes the
teachings of
Buddha.
Through the
study of
scriptural texts
running to
more than five
thousand
volumes.
Spiritual
disciplines like
yoga enable
one to achieve
the
enlightenment
and truth
needed.
Suffering and
samsara result
from
ignorance of
self-truth.
Vedas are
scriptures that
hold final
authority.
Bible
(Hebrew
Scriptures).
Oral Law
provides the
authoritative
interpretatio
n for
knowing
how to live.
Truth is seen
in deeds
more than in
creed,
although a
cardinal
tenet of
belief is the
Unity of
God.
Bible (Old
and New
Testaments)
as divinely
revealed. It
is final
arbiter,
although
various
creeds give
expression
to its
teaching.
Y'shua is
the ultimate
embodimen
t of truth.
Deliverance
from
samsara
through
reaching
nirvana.
Deliverance
from samsara
through
reaching
nirvana is not
to be sought
Deliverance
from cycle of
death and
rebirth and
realizing
"oneness" with
To know
God. To
serve God
and others.
To know
God. To
serve God
and others.
for the
individual
alone.
Brahman.
Way to
spiritualit
y
Practice of
some
disciplines
leads to
nirvana. No
personal
God. One
can achieve
deliverance
from
samsara and
become a
Buddhist
saint. But
this
deliverance
is only for
the few who
can attain it.
Seeking
personal
deliverance
and assisting
in others'
salvation.
Ideal follower
is a
bodhisattva,
one who
forsakes his
own salvation
to aid others.
Salvation is
not merited,
open to all.
Practice of
spiritual
disciplines
such as yoga
delivers one
from the cycle
of death and
rebirth by
helping one to
realize his or
her "oneness"
with Brahman.
Many
incarnations
and deities
may be
worshipped.
Observance
of mitzvot,
study of
Torah and
other holy
books leads
to blessing in
life. Prayer,
repentance,
and the need
to perform
the mitzvot
with the
proper
intention or
kavannah are
also
important.
Faith in
Y'shua as
God's
requisite for
atonement
and
salvation.
Continued
spiritual
growth and
blessing
come
through
living a life
of service
and love.
Differs from
Theravada
Buddhism in
accepting the
existence of
the individual
soul, in which
case rebirth is
also called
transmigration
.
Leads to
rebirth of the
soul, or
transmigration
, from which
we can be
delivered by
realizing our
"oneness" with
Brahman or
ultimate
reality.
Cessation of
bodily life
and entrance
into the
"world to
come" or
some other
place.
Cessation of
bodily life
and
entrance
into either
heaven or
hell.
Meaning
of death
Leads to
rebirth from
which we
can be
delivered by
reaching
nirvana.
Rebirth is
not by
chance but
is based on
the
universal
law of cause
and effect
(karma).
Afterlife
Until
nirvana is
reached,
after life is
rebirth.
Nirvana
On the way to
nirvana, the
individual soul
may pass
through a
variety of
Afterlife is
rebirth until
deliverance is
achieved.
Then one
merges into
Many
beliefs,
including
bodily
resurrection.
Few teach of
Bodily
resurrection
after death
and
judgment.
Heaven and
itself is
heavens and
neither
hells.
continued
existence of
the soul nor
annihilation
.
Brahman, the
All.
a heaven and
hell.
Generally,
Torah
obedience
leads to life
in the world
to come.
hell are
eternal
destinies to
which all
people go
based on
choices
made in this
life.