All religions promote spiritual and moral development and all religions strive to foster good deeds and conduct in adherents. However, different religions focus on spiritual and moral development and good deeds and behavior to different degrees. In Buddhism, there is no absolute deity or moral values. Good deeds and behavior are the route to spiritual enlightenment. In Christianity, there is an absolute God and moral values, with spiritual and moral development thought to promote good deeds and conduct. In this sense, both religions promote spiritual and moral development and good deeds and conduct, but Christianity is more focused on the former while Buddhism concerns itself with the latter. This analysis will provide a discussion of the views of spiritual and moral development and right actions and behavior in both these religions. A conclusion will address the main difference between Buddhism and Christianity with respect to these four aspects of religious belief.
Buddhists do not worship any gods or God. Siddhartha Gautama Buddha makes no claims to divinity, but he is emblematic of the behavior and actions that lead to spiritual enlightenment. The goals of spiritual enlightenment in Buddhism is to see things as they are and to rid the self of all yearnings, desires and attachment. Buddhist behavior and actions aim at this level of enlightenment, which provides "freedom from the continuous cycle of life and death" (Adamson 3). When asked the purpose of leading a spiritual life, Buddha answered: "It is to understand things that should be fully understood that we lead a spiritual life under Buddha" (Larkin 1). The spiritual life that is cultivated significantly revolves around individual actions and behavior in Buddhism.
The core of Buddhism is action (i.e. practices) and behavior. The main practice of Buddhists is meditation. Mediation is meant to establish self-control to help individual...