A Comparative Study of Buddha in China and God in Western Countries

王东平++王宁

Abstract：Every country and culture has their own believes so it caused a lot of different figures. The most typical two are the God in the western countries and the Buddha in Chinese culture. This paper is about the similarities and differences between the God and Buddha. This paper pays more attention to the comparative study of Buddha in China especially in the journey to the west，which is referred to he Buddha who must have suffered a lot and finally came to a successful issue and God in the Bible ， which is referred to a vivid individual just like human beings， associating it with the status the lifestyle people are in and the influence they had made.

Key words： Buddha； God； Western literature； Chinese literature； journey to the west； Bible

1.Introduction

The evolutionary history of the representatives can be a reflection of the human beings thoughts and attitudes towards life. Western God and Chinese Buddha are the most typically two figures of peoples believes.

1.1 Introduction to the Original Chinese Buddha

Chinese Buddhism was spread from India about 3000 years ago. Its originator was believed to be Sakyamuni and he gradually became the latter Buddha in China. Because of the culture， Chinese Buddha and even all religions in other countries are all unique and even is different in everyones heart.

1.2 Introduction to the Original Western God

God has different visualizations in western countries. In this paper， we mainly focus on the images of God in the Bible. In the Old Testament， the God was firstly named Elohim and then Theos in the New Testament. Elohim as well as Theos and God is the one who create the world and can do anything he want.

2.The Image of God in Bible

From the words in the Bible， we came to know that the God is not so invisible and ruthless like our common sense. He would be happy when he is satisfied with the world he create. His mood will change because of others behaviors. He is a vivid individual just like human beings.

3.The Image of Buddha in China

By now， the image of Buddha perfectly shaped in the Journey to the West in the aspect of art. Generally speaking， Buddha is the one who is transcendental， extricate and tolerate this world with a peaceful， enlightened and lotus-like heart.

3.1 The Image in the Journey to the West

In the Journey to the West， the hero named Sun Wukong can fly or enter earth and even change himself into 72 different objects. However， though he is so fierce， he cannot against the Buddha.The Buddha himself must have suffered a lot and finally came to a successful issue. He always came when you have solved the problem and he would teach you some profound truth to make you understand the meaning of the suffering.

3.2 The Image in the Chinese Tradition

In ancient China， people believed all kind of spirits and Buddhas. They will go to different Buddha when they meet with different troubles. In Chinese mind， Buddha is not ordinary people， they relied on it very much.

4.The Comparison of the God and Buddha

Both of the two images are spiritual pillar of human beings but they still have the similarities as well as differences.

4.1 The Similarities of the Two

As has mentioned， both of the two images are the spiritual pillar of human beings， We cannot deny or admit either of them； Human believe in them； Both Chinese and western people all believe this kind of activities can redeem themselves and the God/ Buddha will help them if they hear the blessings.

To sum up， the similarities are they are all very important to both country culture and human beings. Its the spiritual pillar of human and their believers are high on praying to them.

4.2 The Differences Between the Two

Although they play the same important role in the two different peoples mind， they are different from each other.

4.2.1 The Differences in Images

As has mentioned above， in the Bible， the God is just like a human being. Hes like a father of them and hope them can live happily and give love back. However， Buddha is not human beings.

All in all， the differences between the God and Buddha in images are in emotion， the power， the means of helping people and their relationships with their followers.

4.2.2 The Differences in Existence

In Buddhism， there are thousands of Buddhas. But there is no way for you to become a God. There is only one God there. He owns everything and has the power to change everything. Their differences in existence is the God is unique while the Buddha can hundreds and thousands of.

5.Conclusion

This thesis makes a comparative study of a comparative study of Buddha in China and God in western countries. Both the God and Buddha lives differently in different peoples mind. This paper choose the most typically two aspects- The Bible and The Journey to the West. Through analysis of two images， we find the God and Buddha have its own fascination and its own meaning and reflection of culture.

References：

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[2]Wang Lingling， （2012） “Analysis of the Image of God in the Bible”-Journal of Shangqiu Vocational Technical College

[3]Lei Hongxia， A.（2007）“The concept of God in Western Modern Philosophy”-Journal of Guangzhou University （Social Science Edition）

[4]Song Kejun （2000） “A study on the Journey to the west and the origin of Buddhism” -Journal of University of Science and Technology Beijing

[5]Song Zhiming （2009） “The introduction of Buddhism and the needs of the Chinese people”- Taiyuan Normal University news