3 ms·
Isn't it a fundamental tenet of Buddhism that the cycle of reincarnation is a trap one should seek to escape? The author is a Christian, so I suspect the purpo
by krapp 3y ago
Isn't it a fundamental tenet of Buddhism that the cycle of reincarnation is a trap one should seek to escape?
The author is a Christian, so I suspect the purpose of this blog post is simply to denigrate Buddhism in the name of Christian apologetics, but that isn't compelling when you don't even put in the effort to understand the basics of what you're trying to denounce.
And besides, the Christian constructs of original sin and eternal damnation seem far more bleak than the Buddhist model. At least with Buddhism, your own personal morality and effort have some liminal value (as opposed to Christianity, where only faith in Christ can save you, and regardless of your morality or virtues you burn in hell by default) and there is always the opportunity for growth and renewal in another life (versus "it is destined for man to die once, and face judgement.")
- 082349872349872 3y agoPedantry: don't christians differ in the emphasis various sects put on faith vs works? (true, Dante isn't church-canonical, but he's certainly in the fanon, and no one in his first circle is burning)
- krapp 3y agoSure, and Buddhists differ widely in their beliefs as well, like more so than Christians. But the New Testament is pretty clear that at the very least you need works and some kind of special sauce, and you only get one shot at it. I was just pointing out that from a certain point of view, the Christian model can look a lot more hopeless than Buddhism.