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both at thesame time. We see this clearly as we contrast each type of spiritual practice in the table below.

Buddhism
Christianity

Meditation is an essential element of the process of spiritual growth.
Bible study and prayer are essential elements of the process of spiritual growth. Meditation is not commonly practiced.
Meditation involves focusing one’s attention on a single point of reference, such as one’s breathing, some part of one’s body, a mantra, or visualization of compassion or peace, for extended periods of time.
Christian meditation involves willfully choosing to focus the mind and spirit on specific attributes of God or on specific Bible verses, seeking deeper insight and understanding of their meaning and applicability to life.
A goal of meditation is to empty the mind.
A goal of meditation is to engage the mind and to draw on its own creativity and the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Prayers consist of words expressing intentions for blessings, peace, or protection. One’s spoken words have the power to directly change reality.
Prayers consist of words directed to God seeking his blessings, guidance, enabling, and protection. One’s spoken words, per se, have only limited power to change reality.
Chanting is the traditional means of preparing the mind for meditation. It can also be used for ritualistic purposes. Buddha warned against reciting the Dhamma with a musical intonation, out of concern that participants would become attached to the music rather than the content. 13
Songs praising God for his attributes and deeds are usually an integral part of worship services. Experiencing an emotional liking to such music is considered quite wholesome and very beneficial to loving God and growing spiritually. The repertoire of Christian music is vast and very rich, including hundreds of masterpieces.

Major Contrast #8: Many Paths vs. One Path

Buddhism
Christianity

To Buddha many paths to eliminating the self were beneficial.
Jesus claimed the only way to God was through him.
Buddha denied his own divinity, seeing himself as being only one of many enlightened ones.
Jesus proclaimed his own divinity (i.e., saying he was one with God). He asserted his own uniqueness and spiritual supremacy over all people and spiritual beings.
Readily accommodates a very broad range of occult beliefs and practices.
Views all occult beliefs and practices as evil and forbidden.

    Many Paths?
    To the Buddhist, there are many paths to transcending the self. Each path is individual, with each person guided by a guru. In contrast, Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” 14
    Buddhists have a wide variety of different gurus and bodhisattvas to choose from for guidance in developing their own path to enlightenment. Christians have a tightly defined core text, the Bible, as a consistent source of guidance in seeking and following God. Parts of the Bible have been construed in diverse ways, and extrabiblical sources are also used as a guide by some (e.g., Catholics who heed dictums of the papacy). However, the central belief in Jesus as the Savior of the world through his death on the cross and resurrection to life on the third day is common to all mainstream Christians.
    Since Buddhists recognize many paths to enlightenment, they see tolerance of different beliefs and peace with all people as paramount virtues. If others have different beliefs, there is no pressing need to try to change those beliefs as long as others are seeking tolerance and peace with everyone. Buddhists often will,however, encourage others to adopt some form of meditation as a practice.
    Christ taught his followers to love their enemies and to care for and pray for them, leaving the struggle against opponents up to God. He taught that he alone was the judge of people; no one else should assume that role. Some Christians tend to see people who have different beliefs as the enemy, but in the New Testament,