Buddha and Jesus: Could Solomon Be the Missing Link? by R. E. Sherman

the epistles of the New Testament is: “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.” 15
Jesus was only one of many bodhisattvas, or manifestations of enlightenment.
Buddhism’s openness to a variety of bodhisattvas is misleading because Christ is the only way of salvation (see above). Jesus said: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, “I am the Christ’, and will deceive many.” 16
By retaining part of the self, under the illusion that each person has a unique, eternal soul, rather than transcending the self, Christians are prone to trying to make God a being who serves their own desires and dreams. Christians should heed Christ’s call to deny one’s self, take up their cross, and follow him. 17
Buddhism relies on the self to make a way of salvation instead of looking to the grace of God through Jesus Christ. As Christian thinker Oswald Chambers wrote: “The disposition of sin is not immorality and wrong-doing, but the disposition of self-realization — I am my own god. This disposition may work out in decorous morality or in indecorous immorality, but it has the one basis, my claim to my right to myself.” 18
Buddha seekers have trouble relating to:
    1.   The value of a substitutionary blood sacrifice.
    2.   God’s mercy and grace, which seem too easy.
    3.   Lack of meditation.
    4.   Narrow-minded, judgmental, and/or materialistic attitudes.
    5.   The idea of a Creator and one true God.
Christians have trouble relating to:
    1.   Seemingly endless stints of meditation in solitude.
    2.   An absence of awareness of the power and presence of God.
    3.   An absence of the concepts of mercy, grace, and forgiveness.
    4.   The idea that one’s words and thoughts can directly change reality.
    5.   Buddhism’s ready willingness to blend occult beliefs and practices into Buddhist meditation and life.

    Q: What differences are there between how Buddhists and Christians view Jesus?

Buddhists
Christians

Jesus was a perfect example of what any human can achieve, i.e., becoming a guru, bodhisattva, or enlightened master.
Jesus is uniquely the Son of God, being one with God as part of the Trinity.
Jesus’ crucifixion has relevance only as an example of great compassion and of dying to self. People can escape their karma and find liberation only by their own efforts.
Jesus’ death on the cross was essential as the one way to atone for the sins of all mankind.
If Jesus was resurrected in a physical body, he would not have progressed spiritually to a higher state of existence.
Jesus was resurrected in a physical body and appeared to hundreds as proof of his divinity and the sufficiency of his sacrifice as an atonement for the sins of all mankind.

    Q: What are some ways that Christians could stand to learn from Buddhists, and vice versa?
    Buddhism and Christianity are both deep and comprehensive religions, and followers of each could stand to learn much from one another, regardless of whether or not they are trying to somehow merge the two in practice. For example, most Christians could stand to benefit from the example of Buddhists in terms of:
    A more tolerant, respectful attitude toward those with different beliefs.
A range of proven practices in meditation.
A deeper respect for the environment.
A commitment to practicing self-denial.
    Correspondingly, most Buddhists could benefit from the example of many Christians in:
    Being more liberal in actively helping people in need.
Going beyond adhering to nonviolence and forbearance to giving and receiving mercy, grace, and forgiveness.
Drawing upon empowerment provided by an all-powerful God who loves them and desires to