Comparing Sin And Salvation In Buddhism And Christianity

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Sin and Salvation
“However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act on upon them?” -Siddhartha Gautama (Gautama Buddha) Founding figure in Buddhism
Sin and Salvation in Buddhism and Christianity What is sin? Broadly speaking, sin involves actions that violate moral or divine law. Although sin is a concept of all religions in one way or another; each religion views sin differently. In some faith traditions like Buddhism, sin is tied to karma and these actions can include thoughts or intentions that will have an effect on how the soul is reincarnated in the next life. In Abrahamic religions like Christianity, sin often results in separation from God and the individual must seek redemption to be saved. Sin varies by religion, yet nearly all religions teach that sinners face negative consequences without salvation. In Buddhism, this would be revealed in a sinner's inability to achieve eventually enlightenment or nirvana; whereas in Christianity unrepentant sinners are destined for hell. In Christianity sin functions as humans exercise their free will and deviate from God's plan for humanity. For Christians, there are two sources of sin: Original Sin, which is …show more content…

Believers of each religion are encouraged to avoid committing sin and provide a path for atonement. In Christian doctrine, Jesus Christ is the mediator for humans and the way of salvation and such is achieved when an individual receives a blessing from God. Without this blessing, no amount of right action can save one's soul from damnation. As the Book of Luke in the New Testament states: "Forgive, and you will be forgiven." Whereas with Buddhism, salvation can only be achieved on an individual level by the thorough execution practice of certain

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