The Superiority of Buddhism Over the Three Monotheistic Religions

Abstract

This essay compares Buddhism with Judaism, Christianity and Islam and argues that Buddhism may be considered more advanced from a cognitive viewpoint. The author suggests that the human sense of insignificance in the face of creation, together with fears of death and the unknown, led to a search for meaning that the Israelites first met by establishing monotheism. The advantages of monotheism at the time are listed as an account of the creation of the world and humanity, the idea of a chosen nation, a written set of social and ethical rules, organized rituals, and a highest authority to rely on. However, the author argues that monotheism also allowed sanctified mediators to exploit public fears and control the masses, and that it had a limited effect on morality, ethics and relations among people and nations, pointing to the bloodshed that accompanied its spread. The essay traces the emergence of Hinduism and then of Buddhism, founded by Siddhartha Gautama, which assumes no ultimate beginning of the universe and no need for a creator God. Buddhism is presented as focusing on the state of mind and self-improvement rather than on relations with God, and as offering means to reach purity, morality, ethics, high cognitive abilities and spiritual relaxation without the need to praise God.

Abstract prepared by the editorial office from the full text of the article; the authors did not supply one.