A Comparative Method : between Buddhism and Christianity

ABSTRACT

Comparison is to work in order to clarify and disclose similarities and differences, the meaning of them, between two or more objects, ideas etc. The process and result of this works might be changed by the preconception of whom clarifies and discloses similarities and differences, the meaning of them. Paradoxically speaking, however, a true comparison is possible only through the preconceptions, limitations of whom compares one with another. But the preconceptions of him must not be connected to arbitrary and unfair comparison. How could a fair comparison in religious tradition be possible? An alternative is the comparison in the dimension of the depth, structural similarity of each tradition, putting life into a diversity and distinctness of them. This similarity is contained in the different languages of each tradition. This languages, outer expressions is like an onion. Just as an onion consists of the multi coats, so a religion consists of a system of various expressions i.e. a structure. Buddhism and Christianity have a similarity in this structure. This structure has a depth which has no bottom. Both religions interpret the world on this depth which expresses itself as a history, and yet it cannot be restricted in the history. Both religions meet in the dimension of depth. Understanding of the characteristics and differences of both religions attained by this comparison of the depth becomes an complementary and correlative understanding of the Ultimate reality.