1. There is no almighty God in Buddhism. There is no one to
hand out rewards or punishments on a supposedly Judgement Day.
2. Buddhism is strictly not a religion in the context of
being a faith and worship owing allegiance to a supernatural being.
3. No saviour concept in Buddhism. A Buddha is not a saviour
who saves others by his personal salvation. Although a Buddhist seeks refuge in
the Buddha as his incomparable guide who indicates the path of purity, he makes
no servile surrender. A Buddhist does not think that he can gain purity merely
by seeking refuge in the Buddha or by mere faith in Him. It is not within the
power of a Buddha to wash away the impurities of others
4. A Buddha is not an incarnation of a god/God (as claimed
by some Hindu followers). The relationship between a Buddha and his disciples
and followers is that of a teacher and student.
5. The liberation of self is the responsibility of one's own
self. Buddhism does not call for an unquestionable blind faith by all Buddhist
followers. It places heavy emphasis on self-reliance, self discipline and
individual striving.
6. Taking refuge in The Triple Gems i.e. the Buddha, the
Dharma and the Sangha; does not mean self-surrender or total reliance on an
external force or third party for help or salvation.
7. Dharma (the teachings in Buddhism) exists regardless
whether there is a Buddha. Sakyamuni Buddha (as the historical Buddha)
discovered and shared the teachings/ universal truths with all sentient beings.
He is neither the creator of such teachings nor the prophet of an almighty God
to transmit such teachings to others.
8. Especially emphasized in Mahayana Buddhism, all sentient
beings have Buddha Nature/ Essence. One can become a Buddha (a supreme
enlightened being) in due course if one practices diligently and attains purity
of mind (ie absolutely no delusions or afflictions).
9. In Buddhism, the ultimate objective of
followers/practitioners is enlightenment and/or liberation from Samsara; rather
than to go to a Heaven (or a deva realm in the context of Buddhist cosmology).
10. Karma and Karma Force are cornerstones in Buddhist
doctrines. They are expounded very thoroughly in Buddhism. Karma refers to an
important metaphysical concept concerned with action and its consequences. This
law of karma explains the problem of sufferings, the mystery of the so-called
fate and predestination of some religions, and above all the apparent
inequality of mankind.
11. Rebirth is another key doctrine in Buddhism and it goes
hand in hand with karma. There is a subtle difference between rebirth and
reincarnation as expounded in Hinduism. Buddhism rejects the theory of a
transmigrating permanent soul, whether created by a god or emanating from a
divine essence.
12. Maitri or Metta in Pali (Loving Kindness) and Karuna
(Compassion) to all living beings including animals. Buddhism strictly forbids
animal sacrifice for whatever reason. Vegetarianism is recommended but not
compulsory.
13. The importance of Non-attachment. Buddhism goes beyond
doing good and being good. One must not be attached to good deeds or the idea
of doing good; otherwise it is just another form of craving.
14. In Buddhism, there is consideration for all sentient
beings (versus human beings, as in other religions). Buddhists
acknowledge/accept the existence of animals and beings in other realms in
Samsara.
15. No holy war concept in Buddhism. Killing is breaking a
key moral precept in Buddhism. One is strictly forbidden to kill another person
in the name of religion, a religious leader or whatsoever religious pretext or
worldly excuse.
16. Suffering is another cornerstone in Buddhism. It is the
first of the Four Noble Truths. Sufferings are very well analysed and explained
in Buddhism.
17. The idea of sin or original sin has no place in
Buddhism. Also, sin should not be equated to suffering.
18. Buddhist teachings expound no beginning and no end to
one's existence or life. There is virtually no recognition of a first cause —
e.g. how does human existence first come about?
19. The Dharma provides a very detailed explanation of the
doctrine of anatman {anatta in Pali} or soullessness , i.e. there is no soul
entity (whether in one life of many lives).
20. The Buddha is omniscient but he is not omnipotent. He is
capable of innumerable feats but there are three things he cannot do. Also, a
Buddha does not claim to be a creator of lives or the Universe.
21. Prajna [Panna in Pali] or Transcendent Wisdom occupies a
paramount position in Buddhist teachings. Sakyamuni Buddha expounded Prajna
concepts for some 20 years of his ministry. One is taught to balance compassion
with prajna i.e.emotion (faith) with rationale (right understanding / truth /
logic).
22. The tradition and practice of meditation in Buddhism are
relatively important and strong. While all religions teach some forms or
variations of stabilizing/single-pointedness meditation, only Buddhism
emphasizes Vipassana (Insight) meditation as a powerful tool to assist one in
seeking liberation/enlightenment.
23. The doctrine of Sunyata or Emptiness is unique to
Buddhism and its many aspects are well expounded in advanced Buddhist
teachings. Briefly, this doctrine asserts the transcendental nature of Ultimate
Reality. It declares the phenomenal world to be void of all limitations of
particularization and that all concepts of dualism are abolished.
24. Conditioned Arising [Paticcasamuppada in Pali] or
Dependent Origination is another key doctrine in Buddhism. This doctrine
explains that all psychological and physical phenomena constituting individual
existence are interdependent and mutually condition each other; this at the
same time describes what entangles sentient beings in samsara.
25. The concept of Hell(s) in Buddhism is very different
from that of other religions. It is not a place for eternal damnation as viewed
by 'almighty creator' religions. In Buddhism, it is just one of the six realms
in Samsara [i.e. the worst of three undesirable realms]. Also, there are
virtually unlimited number of hells in the Buddhist cosmology as there are
infinite number of Buddha worlds.
26. The Buddhist cosmology (or universe) is distinctly
different from that of other religions which usually recognise only this solar
system (Earth) as the center of the Universe and the only planet with living
beings. The Buddhist viewpoint of a Buddha world (also known as Three
Thousand-Fold World System) is that of one billion solar systems. Besides, the
Mahayana Buddhist doctrines expound that there are other contemporary Buddha
worlds like Amitabha's Pure Land and Bhaisajyaguru's world system.
27. Samsara is a fundamental concept in Buddhism and it is
simply the 'perpetual cycles of existence' or endless rounds of rebirth among
the six realms of existence. This cyclical rebirth pattern will only end when a
sentient being attains Nirvana, i.e. virtual exhaustion of karma, habitual
traces, defilements and delusions. All other religions preach one heaven, one
earth and one hell, but this perspective is very limited compared with Buddhist
samsara where heaven is just one of the six realms of existence and it has 28
levels/planes.
~ Compiled by Tan
Swee Eng ~
Via : E-Buddhism