Christianity and Nichiren Buddhism

Buddismo di Nichiren e Cristianesimo

Similarities in some concepts between Christian beliefs and Buddhism have been noted by
various scholars. In essence, the Christian concept of God and the Buddhist concept of
the Universal Law share many features, such as: the eternal, the creative power , the
unborn, as well as properties of wisdom and compassion.

One of the main differences between these two philosophies perhaps, is that God has a
personified character in Christianity (and is referred to by a male indication),
while in Nichiren Buddhism the Universal Law has non-personified character,
(having also both male and female qualities).

Concepts such as: male-female, light-darkness, life-death, good-evil - are viewed in
Christianity as separate from each other. The Buddhist view, however, is based on non-
duality. In this understanding, Life in Buddhism is understood as encompassing both good
and evil, life and death ...etc.

Christianity considers the spiritual aspect of life as the Ultimate Truth (God) whose
existence is independent of the Universe. On the other hand, Nichiren Buddhism considers
the Life of the Universe as the Ultimate Truth, having inseparable aspects: physical (matter)
and spiritual (mind). The visible aspect of ones current life and the dormant aspect of
ones future death are both inseparable phases of one cycle, eternally repeating. Based on
this understanding of Life as the ultimate truth in Buddhism, the following may give a
glimpse or a quick view on corresponding concepts in Buddhism and Christianity:

Corresponding concepts in Christianity and Nichiren Buddhism

Christianity S G I Buddhism



The Divine: God Life



The Origin: Uncreated, Unborn Uncreated, Unborn



Time span: God is eternal Life is eternal



The material & spiritual: Separate Inseparable



Good and Evil: Separate Inseparable



The Afterlife: Death Rebirth



Heaven and Hell: Two external places Two internal states



The essence of Buddhist and Christian beliefs is also expressed by the behaviour of their
founders in the real world, becoming role models for humanity. However - as was the case
with Shakyamuni Buddha (ca 500 BC) - the events of life and teachings of Jesus of
Nazareth were written down by his disciples after the founder died. This fact creates
uncertainty about various doctrines - attributed to the founder but cannot be verified.

The Issue of Certainty of the Founders Teachings

It is obvious that neither Shakyamuni Buddha nor Jesus of Nazareth had left any written
document recording their teachings. If the quality of certainty (about founders teachings)
is of any importance, then Nichirens writings come as an example of providing this
certainty. Nichiren dedicated great efforts for leaving an enormous hand written accounts
on personally encountered events and on specific details about the scope and depth of his
teachings - leaving in this way no room for doubt about the teachings he established.

Nevertheless, Nichirens writings - although available in written form - did not escape the
tendency of some of his followers to interpret them in variety of ways. This means that both
Christianity and Buddhism (and in fact all religions) share this phenomenon of diversity of
interpretations of teachings of related schools, each claiming to be the correct one. The
number of Christian churches and Buddhist schools is - perhaps comparably - great. Amid
this fact of diversity, SGI teachings focus on what is common between various faith
systems:

The search for what is common: Despite diversity of religious views, SGI literature
maintains that it is possible to find the common thread of agreement between all religions.
This can take place through creating a tendency for interpretation of various doctrines
based on the perspective of common humanity. Humanism can offer a uniting rather than
dividing approach for people in their search for spiritual life.
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