are buddhists happier than christians

are buddhists happier than christians插图

Christians – of all denominations – were the second happiest,followed by Sikhs and Buddhists. Those who followed these religions were happier than the average person,who scored a happiness rating of 7.38 out of 10. On average,Hindus scored a rating of 7.57 for happiness,followed by Christians at 7.47,Sikhs with 7.45 and Buddhist at7.41.

Is Buddhism compatible with Christianity?

Some even say that Buddhist teachings and Christianity are compatible, and that one can be a Christian and at the same time adopt Buddhist teachings. The truth is, although one can find many truths in Buddhist teachings, Buddhism is in many points incompatible with Christianity.

Which religion makes you the happiest?

Christians – of all denominations – were the second happiest, followed by Sikhs and Buddhists. Those who followed these religions were happier than the average person, who scored a happiness rating of 7.38 out of 10. On average, Hindus scored a rating of 7.57 for happiness, followed by Christians at 7.47, Sikhs with 7.45 and Buddhist at 7.41.

Do Buddhists believe in gods?

Such gods are not central to any Buddhist teaching, and it makes no difference to Buddhist doctrines whether or not they are there any more than the existence or nonexistence of a particular type of animal would. The gods are merely one of the varieties of beings suffering in the cycle of death and rebirth from which Buddhism seeks liberation.

What is the most pressing question in Buddhism and Christianity?

For the Buddhist, suffering is the most pressing question. The very first commandments in God’s law are to not have any idols before God and to not make carved images or bow down to them (Exodus 20:1-5). Thus, for Christians, idol worship is sin.

Are Buddhists Atheists?

Is this the case? Yes and no. Yes, they are classically atheists in the sense that they reject the notion of a supreme being, who created and governs the world.

Why do Christians have difficulty sharing Christ with Buddhists?

Many Christians have reported difficulty in sharing Christ with Buddhists because of their tolerance for other religions, which they see as simply other attempts to find the correct way – the way to be enlightened. A Christian must help the Buddhist see that his worldview is fundamentally at odds with the gospel.

What is the closest thing to sin in Buddhism?

Buddhism. Buddhism denies the Christian notion of sin. The closest thing to sin in Buddhism is moral error or misstep, which is 1) normally committed in ignorance, 2) is amoral and 3) is ultimately correctible through greater enlightenment.

Why do Christians believe in God?

Christianity. Christians believe that, because of sin and God’s Holy nature, all sin must be punished. Jesus Christ absorbed the punishment of all who trust in Him who are then justified by faith alone in Christ. Christians hold that a person who is justified will ultimately be glorified (see Romans 8:29-30).

What does it mean to believe in sin?

Christians believe that sin is any thought, action (or even an inaction) which is against the law of God. It is doing something that God forbids, or not doing something God commands.

Why do Christians see suffering as a temporary part of God’s sovereign will?

Christians see suffering as a temporary part of God’s sovereign will, which He uses to refine a Christian’s faith in God (2 Corinthians 4:17), and even to discipline a Christian as a parent would a child (Hebrews 12:6). A Christian can take joy and have hope because all Christian suffering will one day give way to glory – glory so wonderful that all the suffering one endures in a lifetime pales by comparison (See Romans 8:18).

What does the Bible say about God?

All of the Bible is an account of God’s redemptive purposes with man, which culminates in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the establishment of the church, and what we know today as Christianity.

Introduction

Religion is an important system of beliefs and values that guides people’s mental processes and behaviors ( Cohen and Hill, 2007 ). In 2010, 84% of the 6.9 billion people around the world considered themselves religious, and the percentage will grow to 86.8% of a projected 9.3 billion people ( Hackett et al., 2015 ).

Materials and Methods

In the literature, a sample size larger than 120 participants per religious group was sufficient to show significant group differences in emotions (e.g., Tsai et al., 2007 ). In the present study, 10,000 Christians and 10,000 Buddhists in the United States were randomly sampled as participants.

Results

In our statistical comparisons, the nonparametric Kolmogorov–Smirnov (KS) test was used to assess whether two distributions significantly differed from each other, and the Cohen’s d was used to determine the effect size of the difference between two distributions.

Discussion

In summary, our exploratory analysis found that adherents of the two religions exhibited detectable linguistic differences regarding their cognitive, social, and emotional tendencies; Christians used slightly more social and positive emotion words whereas Buddhists used slightly more cognitive and negative emotion words.

Author Contributions

Both authors developed the study concept, contributed to the study design, interpreted the results, and wrote the manuscript. Data collection and analysis were performed by C-YC under the supervision of T-RH.

Funding

This work was financially supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan (MOST 107-3017-F-002-004) and the Center for Research in Econometric Theory and Applications (Grant No.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

How does Buddhism help with suffering?

Furthermore, Buddhism teaches that one can overcome suffering by right meditation. Buddhist meditation is not a “trance,” but rather a time of becoming more aware of what is going on in your mind. It is a time of not being distracted by other things. The word bhavana actually means development or “culture” as in mental development or mental yoga. This “insight meditation” deals with our bodies, feelings, sensations, the mind, and moral and intellectual subjects. Buddhist meditation develops control of one’s own mind. This is very important because as Howley states: “where the mind goes, the body tends to follow. A controlled mind can be directed skillfully while an uncontrolled mind chatters like a ‘drunken monkey’ and its misperceptions lead to unskillful behavior and unnecessary suffering.”

What did Buddha teach us?

Instead, the Buddha taught that we need to accept the truth of impermanence. If we do not expect it, we do not miss it. Howley explains that “nothing can make us joyful in the face of sorrow,” but states that being aware of this truth will reduce the pain, because the craving and clinging cause more pain than the loss itself does. Otherwise, we may suffer loss and continue on in blaming, anger, and hatred for whomever brought about our loss; it might even lead to war or personal wars of jealousy and envy. He taught that the attachment itself is the cause of suffering in this life.

Why is Buddhist meditation important?

Buddhist meditation develops control of one’s own mind. This is very important because as Howley states: “where the mind goes, the body tends to follow.

What did Buddha believe about suffering?

He believed that everyone suffers it, and must become truly aware of that suffering before anything can be done about it.

How are Buddhism and Christianity similar?

Buddhism and Christianity are similar in their view that suffering is going to happen and that people need to be prepared with their manner of dealing with it. They are similar in their promotion of a lack of attachment to material things so that the loss will be less difficult.

Why are Buddhists trying to get by?

If the Buddhists are right, there is no God to help us; and from the Christian’s viewpoint, the Buddhists are just trying to get by as best as they can because they do not want to bow before Almighty God. Ravi Zacharias has stated, “Buddhism is a well-thought through belief that is bereft of God.

What are the four Noble Truths of Buddhism?

In brief form, they state: 1. Suffering is our existence. 2. Suffering is caused by craving, wanting or desirousness. 3. Freedom from suffering can be secured. 4.

What is the average happiness rating of Hindus?

On average, Hindus scored a rating of 7.57 for happiness, followed by Christians at 7.47, Sikhs with 7.45 and Buddhist at 7.41.

What age group did well being ratings fall?

Well-being ratings fell amongst the oldest age groups (those aged 75 and over) - this fall was steepest for feelings that activities they do in life are worthwhile.

How many years did the ONS survey take?

The ONS report analysed personal well-being data for more than 300,000 adults in the UK. The samples were collected over three years, between 2012 and 2015.

What is the average anxiety level?

For "feeling that what you do in life is worthwhile", the average was 7.8 and for "anxiety" it was 2.9.

Which religion is the happiest in the UK?

Of all the faiths in the UK, Hindus are the happiest, scoring well above the national average and just under the demographic of people who consider themselves to be "in very good health", according to data compiled by the Office for National Statistics. Christians – of all denominations – were the second happiest, followed by Sikhs and Buddhists.

Which religion is the second happiest?

Christians - of all denominations – were the second happiest, followed by Sikhs and Buddhists. Those who followed these religions were happier than the average person, who scored a happiness rating of 7.38 out of 10. Advertisement.

Which religion has the lowest happiness score?

Muslims had the lowest happiness ranking of the religions listed, with a score of 7.33.

What is the difference between Buddhism and Christianity?

Christianity. Buddhism is centered upon the life and teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who came to be known as the Buddha — the enlightened one, or one who is awake — whereas Christianity is centered on the Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ.

What is Vesak day?

Vesak day in which the birth, the awakening, and the parinirvana of the Buddha is celebrated. The Lord’s Day; Advent, Christmas; New Year, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, every day is dedicated to a Saint. View of other Dharmic religions.

What is the Trinity of Buddhism?

The Trinity. Life after death. Rebirth is one of the central beliefs of Buddhism. We are in an endless cycle of birth, death and re-birth, which can only be broken by attaining nirvana. Attaining nirvana is the only way to escape suffering permanently. Eternity in Heaven or Hell, in some cases temporal Purgatory.

What is the philosophy of Christianity?

Christianity has its own philosophy, found in the the Bible. That philosophy is Salvation from sin, through the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Religious Law. The Dharma. Varies among denominations. Has existed among Catholics in the form of canon law.

What is Tripitaka canon?

Tripitaka – a vast canon composed of 3 sections: the Discourses, the Discipline and the Commentaries, and some early scriptures, such as the Gandhara texts. The Holy Bible. Religion which atheists may still be adherents of. Yes.

What is the meaning of the word "humans"?

Humans are a fallen, broken race in need of salvation and repair by God. Aramaic, Greek, and Latin. The highest teacher and the founder of Buddhism, the all-transcending sage. To attain enlightenment and be released from the cycle of rebirth and death, thus attaining Nirvana.

Where did Buddhism originate?

Place and Time of origin. The origin of Buddhism points to one man, Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha, who was born in Lumbini (in present-day Nepal). He became enlightened at Bodhgaya, India and delivered his first set of teachings at a deer park in Sarnath, India. Jerusalem, approx. 33 AD.

What is central to Buddhism?

Central to Buddhism is the impermanence of all things and the doctrine of no distinct and enduring self in existence. 3. ”The Teaching of Buddha” (Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai, 1966) 298. If there is anything eternal and unchanging, Buddhism is false.

What is the significance of the existence of demigods in Buddhism?

Historic Buddhism acknowledged the existence of a variety of gods and demigods above and beyond humanity but taught that they were mortal creatures that were a part of the same cycle of death and rebirth as men and animals. They were a part of the Buddhist cosmos but were not prescribed as objects of Buddhist devotion.

What is suffering in Buddhism?

Suffering: In Buddhism suffering comes from our illusion of being a personal self and our actions in accordance with that illusion. 9.

What does Revelation 21:3-4 mean?

He will bless them with eternal life and remove their suffering forever, ( Revelation 21:3-4 ). Salvation: Different Buddhist branches prescribe a variety of different things regarding the most effective path to enlightenment and escape from the suffering of life and the cycle of death and rebirth.

What does Matthew 5:6 mean?

There is a blessing for those who hunger and thirst for righteousness ( Matthew 5:6 ), and we are to seek earnestly and consistently after the kingdom of God ( Matthew 6:33 ). In the end, God will satisfy the righteous desires of those who are in Christ.

What is the Buddhist freedom from suffering?

This is the Buddhist freedom from suffering. In Christianity, it is human evil and disobedience to God that first brought suffering and death into the world, ( Romans 5:12 ). What man needs most is to be washed of his guilt and to turn from his sin.

What does Christianity teach about men and women?

Christianity teaches that men and women are created in the image of God and are distinct from and have dominion over other living things on the earth, ( Genesis 1:26-28 ). The person developing in the womb is the same person all the days of their life ( Psalm 139:13-16 ).

What is the No Savior concept in Buddhism?

3. “No savior concept in Buddhism. A Buddha is not a savior 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.”

Why is there no savior in Buddhism?

There is no savior in Buddhism because there is no recognition of “sin” in Buddhism; so naturally there is no need for a savior or salvation. The implication is that one can save oneself, and eventually through multiple lifetimes finally enter “Nirvana”.

What does the Bible say about God?

Indeed, the Bible proclaims we have an “awesome God”.

What does Buddhism emphasize?

Buddhism stresses that each individual must on their own behalf to work to attain perfection, as one works through countless re-births to one day eventually achieve “enlightenment”. Essentially it is a faith that “worships the creation [the self] rather than the Creator.”.

Why is it dangerous to believe in endless cycles of existence?

From the Christian viewpoint this is a dangerous deception – because it implies an endless series of “second chances” at getting it right. While Buddhism teaches endless “second chances”, Christianity teaches the opposite – “man is appointed to live once”, and then comes judgment.

What is the second issue with Buddhism?

The second issue with Buddhism is that, in emphasizing “the potential for perfection within”, it is in fact promoting worship of the creation, rather that the Creator. It is essentially saying that through mediation, good works, and following the Buddhist teaching, you can save yourself. The Bible on the other hand says the Jesus is the only way of salvation, enlightenment, and fulfillment: “For there is NO other name under Heaven by which we must be saved.”

How can we save ourselves from sin?

The truth is, no matter how much you learn, how much you meditate, how much you give up worldly goods, or how much you try – you cannot save yourself. Only Jesus can save us from sin because only He bridged the huge chasm that was created as a result of the Fall. He is our “Way” back to the Father; the “Bread of Life”; the “Door of the Sheepfold”; the “Resurrection and the Life”. He saves us from sin through faith in Him – a resurrected, LIVING Lord. As a result, we know we have eternal life. And He empowers the Christian who relies on Him to walk that exciting, fulfilling life on a daily basis by the power of His Spirit.