The Sacraments like the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism are the doctrines Christians hold most dear, ones that illustrate the values and beliefs of Christians just as the Four Noble Truths reveal the values and beliefs of Buddhism. This analysis will provide a comparison and contrast of Christianity and the Seven Sacraments with Buddhist doctrine centered on the Four Noble Truths.
Buddhist doctrine was formulated in the sixth century B.C. by Siddhartha Gautama, who was given the title of Buddha. Within the spiritual philosophy of Buddhism is embedded the values and worldview of Buddhists, whose truths are founded on the Four Noble Truths. If we review these core truths of Buddhism, we can see many of the concepts that are still significant to modern followers of Buddhism:
2) The cause of suffering is ôbirth sinö or desire.
3) Suffering can be ended only by Nirvana, the extinguishment of desire.
4) Following the Eightfold Path to righteousness will extinguish desire: right views, right intentions, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right meditation (Murphy, p. 147).
Buddhism incorporates many concepts that are found in Christianity, including karma, rebirth, hell, and purgatory. Individual salvation and monasticism in Buddhist doctrine is also similar to Christianity. However, the Christian belief in Jesus as the human incarnation of the Holy Father is distinct from Buddhism. There are Seven Sacraments that are incorporated into Christian doctrine and belief: Baptism, Eucharist, Confession, Confirmation, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders, (Price, p. 1). The three sacraments of Christian initiation are provided once, and include Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist (Communion). The healing sacraments are Confession and Anointing the Sick.
Like the steps in Buddhist meditation and other practic
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