In Buddhism, the laughing potbellied Buddha is idolized and worshipped. The Giggling Buddha is known for granting prosperity and joy. In most statues, the Buddha is depicted as both laughing and overweight. According to tradition, rubbing the Buddha’s belly will bring good luck. The cloth bag on the Buddha statue symbolizes the potential wealth you may receive by sincerely believing in him and rubbing his pot belly.
Buddhism, a major world religion, offers a unique path to enlightenment through human efforts. Its principles of ethics, meditation, and wisdom diverge significantly from the teachings of Christianity, especially on salvation, the nature of God, and the role of Jesus Christ. In this analysis, we will explore 20 Buddhist practices and beliefs contradicting the Bible, contrasting them with scripture to illustrate the stark differences between the two faiths.
1. Denial of a Personal Creator God
Buddhism does not believe in a personal, sovereign God who created the universe. Instead, it sees the universe as a cycle of birth and rebirth without a beginning or a Creator.
Biblical Contrast:
- “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)
- “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” (Psalm 14:1)
2. Self-Salvation Through Enlightenment
Buddhism teaches humans to seek enlightenment (nirvana) through personal effort, meditation, and mindfulness. Salvation is a self-attained state where one transcends suffering. There is no external savior.
Biblical Contrast:
- “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8)
- “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5)
3. Rejection of Jesus as the Only Savior
Buddhists do not believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God or that His death and resurrection offer salvation to humanity. The person of Jesus is not central to their beliefs, often seen as just another teacher.
Biblical Contrast:
- “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (John 14:6)
- “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
4. Reincarnation
Buddhism teaches reincarnation, a cycle of death and rebirth until one achieves nirvana and escapes the cycle of suffering. This viewpoint directly conflicts with the Christian doctrine of a single life and subsequent judgment.
Biblical Contrast:
- Men are appointed to die once, but after this judgment, 28 God offered Christ once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him, He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. (Hebrews 9:27-28)
- “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
5. Karma
Buddhism’s concept of karma teaches that one’s actions in previous lives determine one’s current life circumstances, promoting a system of moral cause and effect across lifetimes.
Biblical Contrast:
- “For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat… So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.” (Romans 14:10-12)
- “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” (Titus 3:5)
6. No Concept of Sin as Offense Against God
According to Buddhism, sin is ignorance and attachment that causes suffering rather than disobedience against a loving and Holy God.
Biblical Contrast:
- “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
- “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8)
7. Nirvana as Ultimate Goal
Buddhism defines nirvana as a state of extinction where desire, suffering, and individuality vanish. This sentiment distinguishes the Christian perspective, which upholds the belief that the ultimate objective is attaining eternal life with God. At the same time, believers maintain their identity as they enter a blissful communion with God.
Biblical Contrast:
- “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John 17:3)
- “The Lord is my shepherd…and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:1, 6)
8. Emphasis on Self-reliance
Buddhism strongly emphasizes self-effort through mindfulness, meditation, and moral discipline to achieve enlightenment.
Biblical Contrast:
- “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)
- “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty.” (Zechariah 4:6)
9. Denial of the Soul’s Eternity
Buddhism teaches anatta (no-soul), denying that humans have an eternal, individual soul. Instead, the Self is considered an illusion, a collection of constantly changing elements without a permanent essence. These teachings on anatta contrast with the Christian belief in the eternal soul, which is the core of a person’s identity and the seat of their consciousness.
Biblical Contrast:
- “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)
- “The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” (Ecclesiastes 12:7)
10. Worship of Idols and Images
Buddhists believe in bowing to Buddha statues and offering incense or prayers before images.
Biblical Contrast:
- “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above, on the earth beneath, or in the waters below.” (Exodus 20:4)
- “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” (1 John 5:21)
11. Dharma as a Source of Salvation
In Buddhism, the Dharma (teachings of the Buddha) is considered a guide to salvation. It is not about faith in a personal savior but adherence to teachings and cultivating wisdom and compassion. These Dharma teachings counter Christian doctrine, which holds that salvation is a gift from God obtained via trust in Jesus Christ rather than following a prescribed path.
Biblical Contrast:
- “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8)
- “He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” (Titus 3:5)
12. Meditation Focused on the Self
In Buddhism, meditation’s primary goals are inner peace and self-actualization. The emphasis is on human effort rather than communion with God.
Biblical Contrast:
- “I lift my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2)
- “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
13. Denial of a Final Judgment
Buddhism does not have a concept of a final judgment by a righteous God. Instead, karma is an ongoing process of moral causation.
Biblical Contrast:
- “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5:10)
- “But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” (1 Peter 4:5)
14. Belief in Multiple Gods or Spiritual Entities
Although Buddhism is technically non-theistic, it often coexists with folk beliefs in various gods and spirits. Some sects, like Tibetan Buddhism, integrate deities into their practices.
Biblical Contrast:
- “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” (Deuteronomy 6:4)
- “For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth…yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came.” (1 Corinthians 8:5-6)
15. Moral Relativism
Buddhism does not espouse absolute moral truths derived from a divine lawgiver. Instead, determining right and wrong is often contingent upon what aids in the cessation of suffering.
Biblical Contrast:
- “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
- “I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me, there is no God.” (Isaiah 45:5)
16. The impermanence of the Self
In Buddhism, all things, including the Self, are impermanent and constantly changing, denying the Christian teaching of the soul’s eternal nature.
Biblical Contrast:
- “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
- “But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him.” (Psalm 103:17)
17. No Concept of Original Sin
Buddhism does not recognize original sin as humanity’s inherited nature due to Adam’s fall.
Biblical Contrast:
- “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.” (Romans 5:12)
- “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
18. Attachment to the World
While Buddhism teaches detachment from desires to end suffering, it doesn’t warn against worldly attachments in the same way the Bible does regarding sin and worldly allurements.
Biblical Contrast:
- “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.” (1 John 2:15)
- “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:2)
19. Path to Salvation Based on Works
Buddhist salvation is heavily works-based, relying on ethical conduct, correct thinking, and personal discipline.
Biblical Contrast:
- “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” (Titus 3:5)
- “It is the gift of God—not by works so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
20. Focus on Inner Peace Over Relationship with God: Buddhist practices prioritize achieving inner peace, while Christianity emphasizes a relationship with God as the source of peace (Philippians 4:6-7).
Summary
Buddhism and Christianity diverge fundamentally on key theological issues, such as the nature of God, the means of salvation, and the destiny of the soul.
Buddhism rejects the belief in a personal Creator God, instead focusing on achieving enlightenment through self-effort and reincarnation, which contradicts the Bible’s teachings on God’s sovereignty, human sinfulness, and salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
While Buddhism advocates for personal spiritual progress through karma, meditation, and ethical conduct, Christianity teaches reliance on God’s grace and the atoning work of Jesus.
Christianity declares Jesus Christ as the Only Way to salvation with God and eternal life, contrasting sharply with Buddhist beliefs in multiple paths and self-reliance.
