The Christ vs. The Buddha - who was the more noble man? (extremist, Jesus)

[avant-garde]

They were both the pinaccles of Western vs. Eastern philosophy/ways of thought. Which man do you believe is more inspiring and how?

[jtur88]

All we know is anecdotal sketches by contemporaries who were largely rather subjective admirers and gullible apologists.

[Memphis1979]

I didn't know either of them personally, so I can't give you my impression on their personalities.

Reading about them is like watching a "based on a true story" hollywood movie. The writers get to depict the the key character in whatever light they'd like. So, while I admire both men, and most of what they stood for, in the end I can't judge one over the other, because I read their stories thousands of year after they actually occured.

Thats like asking me who the greatest warrior was, Achilles or Hector. I can only go by what someone else wrote, countless centuries ago. Both had strengths, both had weaknesses.

[avant-garde]

Lol I was actually asking what you thought of the two men's philosophies, which one was more "noble"?

[Thaskateguy]

How is that a debate??

[sponger42]

While Christianity and Buddhism are quite different, the core philosophies of The Messiah and The Buddha are almost identical, so I don't understand how you could claim one was more noble than the other. They are the same.

I suppose since Jesus was God made flesh and sacrificed for the sins of the world, then he would be more noble. However, since Buddha was a flawed mortal soul who achieved enlightenment and showed all people the path, you could also say he was more noble. I think such things are beyond our capacity to judge.

[JBMallory]

I suppose since religions are man-made farces, the only correct answer would be "neither".

If you are questioning the simple values of each philosophy/religion, they, as almost all are basically the same, be good to others, be good to yourself and donate lots of money to a church.

[avant-garde]

One important thing: Did Buddha make it one of his significant points to "help the poorest, weakest of the society" as Jesus did? Could Buddha be mistaken for a "socialist" by ultra right-wingers?

[JBMallory]

now you want to base a study of religion and philosophy off of what extremists think? i think you are hunting for an argument lol

[jtur88]

There is one crucial difference. Jesus was quoted in the bible, at least 30 times, making statements that implied that he had a unique connection with God. Buddha never did.

Assuming that either both were divine, or neither were, that places Jesus at a severe disadvantage on the humility scale.