Buddhism Vs. Christianity

Throughout the world there are hundreds of religions, probably even thousands. From the
smaller, less known followers of shamanism and Santeria to the devout fanatics of the Catholic Church,
religion is a huge aspect of many people’s lives. Though I am not a religious man, I respect and even
envy the amount of faith and power it gives people. Great civilizations have risen and fallen because of
religion and the power it has Two religions that I believe are very juxtaposed and easily contrasted are  
Buddhism, popular in Southeastern Asia and India, and Christianity, which is prevalent in the western
cultures and Europe.
                The biggest difference between these two religions, at least in my opinion, is their views on a
“Higher Power.” In Christianity, the higher power is simply known as God, the “one true God” as they
would call it. This is true for all sects of Christianity, from Protestants to Baptists; they all believe that
there is one God, and that he is to be worshipped. However in Buddhism, the view on a “higher power”
depends upon which sect they are from. The Theravada believes in no God. They believe only in the
the bettering of one’s self through sacrifice of worldly possessions and attaining a certain “detached
wisdom” through meditation, to become what is known as an Arhat, or one who is “esteemed for
detached wisdom and unworldly living.” However, the catch to the Theravada way is that to attain
Nirvana, one must live their life as a monk, which is contrast to the view of the Mahayana Buddhists.
this sect believes that any person, from the beggar on the street to the Dali Lama himself, can attain
Nirvana and become what is known to them as Bodhisattva or “compassionate one.” They also look
upon the Buddha as a sort of God and revere him much like the Christians revere their God.
                The idea of Bodhisattva and Arhat are similar to that of the Christian saints. These people are
considered to be   people who...