Discuss briefly the similarities of Protestantism and Buddhism

Answer 1

Both Buddhism and Protestantism were protestant revolts against the orthodox religion. Martin Luther placed great emphasis on the individual's direct responsibility to God. He believed that every person can reach God through direct prayer without the intercession of a priest or saint; thus, every believer is, in effect, a minister. Buddhism accepted certain Hindu concepts, such as the idea that all living beings go through countless cycles of death and rebirth, the doctrine of karma, spiritual liberation from the flesh, and that the path to wisdom includes taming the appetites and passions of the body. Buddha disagreed with the Hindus about the methods by which these objectives were to be achieved. He advocated the Middle Way between asceticism and self-indulgence, stating that both extremes in life should be avoided. He also disagreed with the Hindus on caste distinctions, believing (like Luther) that all persons were equal in spiritual potential.