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Buddhism is a philosophy of life preached by Gautama Buddha ("Buddha" means "enlightened one"), who lived and taught in northern India in the 6th Century B.C. The Buddha was not a god and the philosophy of Buddhism does not entail any theistic world-view until after it was introduced into China. Renowned Chinese gods in Buddhism like Guanyin (Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara) and Milefo (Maitreya) were actually humans who came to China to preach.
Buddhism stresses the teaching of no self (Anatta). There is a famous saying, 'where can dust be collected if there is nothing to start out with.' Thus attachment to the idea of substantial and enduring self is only an illusion ('like the reflections of moon in the water and flowers in a mirror'), which can only lead to suffering.
Therefore, suffering is a consequence of one's volitional actions. This is consistent with the Buddhist doctrine of causes and effects. ('If one sows melon seeds, one harvests melon; and if one sows beans, one reaps beans'). One is thus responsible for all the consequences of his own psychological states and volitional actions (karma). These good or bad actions or karma can be carried from one life to the other. Your well-being in this life is affected by your karma in your previous lives, and your karma in this life dictates your well-being in your future lives. The Chinese believe that if you are a good person, you may become a good person in your next life. However, if you are a bad person in this life, you may end up reincarnating into an animal or even an insect.
Buddha taught the Four Truths and the Eightfold Path.
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Christian faith is the relationship with God, the Creator of all things. A person is accepted by God, not because of his deeds but because of who he is, a chosen child of God. (This concept is very similar to the fact you are a member of your earthly family regardless what you have done. Without this relationship, you are like a run-away child). Although we are all sinners, God still loves us and sent his Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins on the cross. (God actually approached us first, like a parent looking for a run-away child! For all other religions, man seeks god instead!) To establish this relationship with God, one must accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, Who died for our sins and rose again. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can then turn away from sin.
If you would like to accept Jesus as your Savior, you can begin with the following prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
I want to have a relationship with You.
I know I cannot save myself, because I am a sinner.
I believe that You sent Your only Son to die for me on the cross and rose again from the grave.
Please forgive my sin as I receive your gift of eternal life.
I will turn away from my sin and place my trust on You.
In Jesus' name I prayed. Amen |
The religion of Islam is built upon the five pillars that define the essential elements of Islam. Once you become a Muslim you should implement all these in your daily life. The pillars are:
1)Testimony of Faith - Shahada
Witness to two individuals that
2)Five daily worships - Salaat
3)Fasting in the month of Ramadan- Sawm
4)Donation to charity - Zakat
5)Pilgrimage to Mecca once in your life Hajj
Besides the outward witnessing, a Muslim should believe the Shahada in his heart with a firm conviction and unshakeable faith in order to be a new-born person. He must then behave accordingly, applying this faith to every thing he speaks or does
Muslims believe that this will improve his character and draw him closer to perfection. The light of the living faith will fill his heart until he becomes the embodiment of that faith.
Aside from the 5 pillars, all Muslim should love and be loyal to his Muslim brothers. He should, as a practice, dissociate himself completely from the unbelievers and refuse to be influenced by them, both in worldly and religious matters. |
