Explaining Buddhism to Christians with Clarity and Compassion

1. Introduction

One of the most profound differences between Buddhism and Christianity lies in how they understand God, creation, and salvation.

While Christianity begins with the declaration,

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1),
Buddhism begins with no such Creator.

For Buddhists, the universe is beginningless and endless, governed not by divine will but by natural law (Dharma).
There is moral order, but no moral Lawgiver; there is compassion, but not a personal Creator.

This part explores how Buddhists understand the cosmos and humanity’s spiritual destiny — and how Christians can engage these views with respect, clarity, and grace.

2. Buddhism and the Question of God

2.1. Is Buddhism Atheist?

Buddhism is often called atheist, but this is an oversimplification.
It is more accurate to call it non-theistic.

The Buddha neither affirmed nor denied the existence of gods; he simply regarded the question as irrelevant to liberation.

“Whether the world is eternal or not eternal, finite or infinite, what matters is this: there is suffering, and there is a path to end it.” (Majjhima Nikāya 63)

For the Buddha, belief in a supreme being was not denied out of hostility but set aside as unhelpful for ending suffering.

2.2. Gods in Buddhism

Buddhism inherited the Hindu concept of devas — celestial beings dwelling in heavenly realms.
They are powerful but not eternal; they too are subject to karma, rebirth, and death.

In short:

Gods exist, but they are not creators.
They may enjoy blissful lives, but they remain within saṃsāra (the cycle of rebirth).
Reverence to gods is permitted, but worship is unnecessary.

The Buddha taught that moral purity and wisdom, not divine favour, bring liberation.

“Even the gods envy those who are mindful.” (Dhammapada 181)

2.3. Why the Buddha Rejected Creationism

When asked about the origin of the universe, the Buddha often remained silent.
He saw speculation on cosmic beginnings as a distraction from practice.

“Suppose a man is struck by an arrow, and he refuses to have it removed until he knows who shot it and why. He would die before learning the answers.” (Cūḷa-Māluṅkya Sutta)

For Buddhists, the “arrow” is suffering, and the task is to remove it, not to theorise about its source.

This pragmatic silence defines the Buddhist focus: salvation from suffering, not speculation about creation.

3. The Buddhist Cosmology

3.1. The Universe as Eternal Process

The universe, in Buddhist thought, is without beginning or end — a ceaseless cycle of birth, decay, and rebirth.
World systems arise and perish according to natural law, not divine plan.

This cyclical view reflects the same law governing individual existence:

The cosmos, like the self, is impermanent (anicca).
It arises from causes and conditions (paṭicca-samuppāda).
There is no first cause, only an ongoing interdependence.

3.2. The Realms of Existence

Buddhism describes six realms of rebirth, representing moral and spiritual states:

Gods (Deva) – blissful beings, but still impermanent.
Demigods (Asura) – powerful but envious.
Humans (Manussa) – balanced realm, best suited for enlightenment.
Animals (Tiracchāna) – ignorance and instinct dominate.
Hungry Ghosts (Peta) – tormented by insatiable craving.
Hell Beings (Niraya) – intense suffering caused by hatred and cruelty.

These realms are not eternal destinations but psychological and spiritual conditions.
Each being’s rebirth depends on their karma.

4. Creation and the Christian Response

4.1. Christianity: Creation by Divine Will

In contrast, Christianity affirms that:

The universe has a beginning, created by God’s Word (John 1:3).
Creation is good, not illusory (Genesis 1:31).
God is both transcendent (beyond creation) and immanent (active within it).

Where Buddhism sees endless cycles, Christianity sees linear history — a purposeful story from creation to redemption to new creation.

“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.” (Romans 11:36)

Thus, creation is not the problem but the stage for salvation.
The issue is not existence itself, but corruption through sin — a moral disorder that distorts what God made good.

4.2. Why the Buddhist View Appeals

The Buddhist denial of a Creator appeals to many because it:

Removes fear of divine punishment.
Places responsibility for moral life entirely on oneself.
Explains suffering without blaming a deity.

However, it also removes a personal source of meaning.
Without a loving Creator, compassion arises from wisdom, not relationship; ethics becomes self-derived, not grace-inspired.

5. Salvation in Buddhism: Liberation from Saṃsāra

5.1. The Problem: Suffering and Rebirth

For Buddhists, salvation (vimutti) means freedom from saṃsāra — the endless cycle of birth and death caused by ignorance and craving.
The solution is found in self-effort, moral purity, and wisdom.

5.2. The Path: The Eightfold Way

Salvation is achieved through the Noble Eightfold Path, leading to the extinguishing of craving and the realisation of Nirvāṇa — the unconditioned peace beyond all dualities.

There is no saviour, no divine rescuer; each person must awaken for themselves.

“By oneself is evil done; by oneself is one purified.” (Dhammapada 165)

This is a religion of self-liberation through discipline, not salvation through grace.

6. Salvation in Christianity: Redemption and Relationship

In Christianity, salvation is not escape from existence but reconciliation with God.
It restores relationship rather than dissolves it.

Aspect	Buddhism	Christianity
Problem	Ignorance and craving.	Sin and rebellion.
Solution	Self-awakening through wisdom.	Divine forgiveness through Christ.
Goal	Liberation from rebirth.	Eternal life in communion with God.
Path	The Eightfold Path.	Faith, repentance, and grace.
Saviour	None; self-effort.	Jesus Christ, divine mediator.

Thus, the Buddhist seeks wisdom that ends desire; the Christian receives grace that transforms desire.
One ends suffering by detachment; the other redeems it through love.

7. Why the Buddha Avoided Theology

The Buddha avoided questions about God because they do not lead to enlightenment.
He called such metaphysical speculation a “thicket of views” that entangles the seeker in distraction.

“This is not a matter for discussion. Whether the world is eternal or not, there is birth, aging, death, sorrow — and I teach the way to end these.”

His silence, however, was not denial but pragmatic restraint — focusing on moral and spiritual healing rather than cosmological explanation.

8. Christian Understanding of Buddhist Silence

Christians can view this silence with both respect and insight:

The Buddha’s refusal to speculate shows intellectual humility and practical wisdom.
His moral seriousness mirrors the biblical call to righteousness.
Yet, Christianity insists that truth about God is revealed, not hidden.

Where the Buddha offered a path to enlightenment, Christ proclaimed,

“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” (John 14:6)

The Buddhist seeks release from the cycle; the Christian seeks relationship with the Creator who gives meaning to the cycle.

9. Dialogue Between the Two Views

9.1. Common Ground

Both acknowledge moral law and consequence.
Both call for compassion, detachment from greed, and inner transformation.
Both diagnose ignorance as the root of suffering.

9.2. Key Differences

Buddhism denies a Creator; Christianity begins with Him.
Buddhism sees creation as cyclical and impersonal; Christianity sees it as purposeful and relational.
Buddhism ends in cessation; Christianity ends in communion.

Thus, Buddhism describes the structure of moral order, while Christianity reveals the Source of that order — a personal God whose nature is love.

10. The Meeting Point: Meaning and Moral Order

Buddhism’s great insight is that the universe is morally structured — every act has consequence.
Christianity agrees, but adds that the moral order reflects a moral Being.

“The heavens declare the glory of God.” (Psalm 19:1)

For the Buddhist, the universe is self-regulating; for the Christian, it is self-giving — born from divine generosity.
In both, moral truth is real; but in Christianity, it flows from the heart of God, not the impersonal Dharma.

11. Conclusion

Buddhism’s silence about God is both its strength and its limitation.
It frees the seeker from superstition and fear but leaves unanswered the deepest human longing — Who loves me?

The Buddha offered the law of cause and effect; Christ revealed the cause of love and its effect — redemption.
The one teaches the path to end suffering; the other enters suffering to redeem it.

“The Buddha pointed to the moon; Christ revealed its light.”

Both honour moral responsibility; both call for compassion and humility.
But Christianity completes what Buddhism begins: the discovery that moral order is not blind law, but the living love of God.

Part 9: Buddhism’s View of God, Creation, and Salvation