Differences between Buddhism and Islam
Contents
Buddhism and Islam[edit]
Buddhism and Islam are major world religions with different origins and core theological beliefs. Buddhism originated with the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who lived in the 5th century BCE in the region of modern-day Nepal.[1][2][3] Islam began in the 7th century CE in Mecca, on the Arabian Peninsula, with the revelations received by the Prophet Muhammad.[4][5] While both offer paths for spiritual development, their foundational views on God, the afterlife, and salvation are distinct.
Comparison of key tenets[edit]
| Category | Buddhism | Islam |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Figure(s) | Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha)[1][2] | Prophet Muhammad[4] |
| Concept of God | Nontheistic; the existence of a creator god is not a central part of the doctrine. | Strictly monotheistic; belief in one God (Allah).[5] |
| Holy Text(s) | The Tripitaka (Pali Canon) is the foundational scripture for the Theravada tradition; other schools use additional texts. | The Quran, believed to be the direct word of God. |
| Concept of Afterlife | A cycle of rebirth (samsara) based on karma, with the ultimate goal of achieving Nirvana (the cessation of suffering). | A final resurrection and Day of Judgment, leading to an eternal afterlife in either paradise (Jannah) or hell (Jahannam). |
| Core Doctrine | The Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. | The Five Pillars of Islam, including the profession of faith (Shahada). |
| View of Jesus | Not a significant figure. | An important prophet (Isa), but not divine.[4] |
God and divinity[edit]
The concept of God represents a primary divergence between the two faiths. Islam is founded on the principle of Tawhid, or strict monotheism. This is the belief in a single, incomparable God, known as Allah, who is the creator and sustainer of the universe.[5] The profession of this belief, the Shahada, is the first of the Five Pillars of Islam.
In contrast, most schools of Buddhism are considered nontheistic. The teachings of the Buddha do not focus on the worship of a creator deity. The path to enlightenment is centered on an individual's own efforts to eliminate suffering by understanding reality. While some Buddhist traditions acknowledge the existence of beings referred to as gods (devas), these beings are also subject to the cycle of rebirth and are not seen as creators or objects of ultimate worship.
Soteriology and afterlife[edit]
The ultimate goals and views on the afterlife differ significantly. In Islam, the purpose of life is submission to the will of Allah, as revealed in the Quran. Muslims believe in a physical resurrection after death, followed by a final Day of Judgment where individuals are held accountable for their deeds. One's actions in life determine their place in the eternal afterlife, either in paradise (Jannah) or hell (Jahannam).
Buddhism posits a cycle of rebirth, known as samsara, where beings are continually reborn into different forms of existence based on their karma (actions). The fundamental goal of Buddhist practice is to break free from this cycle of suffering and rebirth. This liberation is called Nirvana, a state of ultimate peace achieved by extinguishing desire, ignorance, and attachment through following the Noble Eightfold Path.
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "worldhistory.org". Retrieved December 11, 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "biography.com". Retrieved December 11, 2025.
- ↑ "diamondway-buddhism.org". Retrieved December 11, 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "metmuseum.org". Retrieved December 11, 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "studentsofhistory.com". Retrieved December 11, 2025.
