Kalagatos (Sep 2024)
THE APPROACH TO LIBERATION AND SALVATION: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF BUDDHIST NIRVANA AND CHRISTIAN REDEMPTION: Understanding the Philosophy of religion in Buddhism and Christianity
Abstract
This study offers a comparative analysis of liberation in Buddhism, focusing on Nirvana, and salvation in Christianity, emphasizing redemption. It explores how Buddhism and Christianity address the fundamental human quest for spiritual fulfillment. The analysis reveals that Buddhism views Nirvana as the cessation of suffering through the extinction of desires and ignorance, rather than simply a state of bliss. Christianity, on the other hand, presents redemption as a transformative process involving faith, repentance, and spiritual rebirth, rather than solely relying on divine grace. The study highlights that while Buddhism emphasizes personal effort through ethical conduct and meditation, Christianity combines divine grace with personal commitment and adherence to Christ’s teachings. By emphasizing the nuanced interplay of personal effort and spiritual guidance in both traditions, the study provides a more balanced understanding of how each religion addresses the quest for liberation and salvation.
