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the natural reaction of a Christian to the above claims of Buddhism is that they are too bleak.
    Yet there are more areas of contrast to consider regarding desire and suffering. To the Buddhist, any kind of desire is bad, because desire is the cause of suffering. To the Christian, though many desires are sinful, many others are clearly good. This is implied by a verse in the Psalms: “Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” 7 Such desires are good, because God gave them to believers. It is God’s will that one rejoice in him and in his blessings. 8 Yet, Jesus also said, “In the world you will have tribulation.” 9
    In addition, to the Buddhist, all suffering is bad. That’s just the way it is. Christians have something quite different to say about the cause and purposes of suffering. As for the cause, mankind (via Adam and Eve) chose to rebel against God and to live independently of him. God responds by pulling back and withholding many of his blessings, as well as much of his protection, from us. Typically the result is suffering. Not all suffering is due to sin, however. Some kinds of suffering can be good. For example, people serving God will experience persecution. And God can also allow suffering in a person’s life to bring about personal growth and maturity. It is through suffering that we learn patience and become more like Christ. 10
    For the Buddhist, eliminating expectations for selfish gain can create contentment. To the Christian, praising and thanking God, and caring for others, causes contentment.
    Buddhists practice compassion out of a belief in the interconnectedness of all living beings. They also see acts of kindness as a means of creating good karma in order to become liberated from the self. Christian compassion is empowered by the filling and enabling of the Holy Spirit. Christians practice compassion as a response to God’s love for mankind.

Major Contrast #6: Works vs. Faith

Buddhism
Christianity

Buddhism is a method of making progress toward becoming enlightened via persistent meditation and self-directed efforts to live righteously. It can be useful to followers of any religion in trying to overcome and eliminate the self.
    Buddha said, “Self is the lord of self, who else could be the lord? With self well subdued, a man finds a lord such as few can find.” 11
No human being can save themselves from the mortal consequences of their sins. Christianity is a rescue operation, initiated by God, to reconcile to himself everyone who will truly accept Jesus as Lord and Savior by faith. It is also a personal relationship with Christ which is sustained by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in those who believe.
    Jesus said, “Apart from me you can do nothing.” 12

Major Contrast #7: Being a Follower

Buddhism
Christianity

Buddha taught that truth lies deep within each person. To find truth, outside sources must be excluded.
    In each spiritual practice and moment of life, the focus is on looking deep within one’s self and strictly controlling one’s thoughts, guided by the example of the Buddha, the counsel of his teachings, and the mentorship of a monk/guru.
Christians believe that at the core of every person is a sinful soul. The follower should look instead to Jesus in his or her search for truth.
    In each spiritual practice and moment of life, the focus is on following the leading of the Holy Spirit and the counsel of the Bible as the key parts of a personal relationship with Jesus.

    Christians believe that since Adam and Eve rejected God in the Garden of Eden, every person has a strongly ingrained lower nature that rebels against God and seeks its own way. Truth is objective in nature, existing outside of and independent of the self. Christ said, “I am the truth.” The Buddhist’s focus is within the self in each spiritual practice followed on the path to enlightenment, whereas the Christian’s focus is on God. It is not possible to do