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Worldviews in Islam, Christianity and Buddhism
The worldviews of various religions explain human existence and the purpose of the universe from different perspectives, based on their own doctrines and philosophies, as described in ‘Modelling and the human imagination – modelling in philosophy, religion, literature and AI technology’. The worldviews of Islam, Christianity and Buddhism are discussed below.
Islamic worldview: Islam is a monotheistic religion, which believes that the purpose of the universe and life is determined by Allah (God).
It is characterised by (1) a ‘creator-creature worldview’, which holds that all existence is created by Allah (God), that Allah (God) is the only absolute Being, that the universe is planned and ordered, and that it operates according to the will of Allah (God), and (2) that man has a mission to serve Allah (God), do good deeds and prepare for the Day of Judgment. (3) There will be a Day of Judgement (Yaum al-Qiyamah), when Allah will judge mankind and determine his eternal destiny, and the afterlife (Ahilah) will be more important than this life. (3) ‘eschatology’ (akhirah), which holds that Allah judges man, determines his eternal destiny and that paradise symbolises eternal peace with God; (4) ‘unified community’, which holds that Islam regards the individual and society as one, emphasises social order based on sharia (Islamic law) and considers the world as one community (ummah) based on Allah’s will. view that the world can be conceived of as one community (ummah) based on the will of Allah.
Christian worldview: Christianity is also monotheistic and sees the world as existing in the love and plan of God.
It is characterised by (1) ‘creation and salvation’, in which the world is created by God (Yahweh) and is good, but is corrupted by human sin and man is redeemed through the atonement of Jesus Christ, making reconciliation with God possible; (2) God is almighty and controls all events in the universe, and human history (3) ‘eschatology’, which holds that in Christianity there is an ‘end of the world’ and a ‘final judgement’ and that Jesus promises to return to judge the world and spend eternal peace with God in the new heaven and earth (heaven); (4) ‘salvation’, which holds that God is omnipotent and controls all events in the universe and that the purpose of the world is to show God’s glory; (5) ‘theology’, which holds that there is no God but God’s will and that God’s will is the same as God’s will; and (4) The dualistic viewpoints of good and evil, God and Satan, heaven and hell are emphasised, with the ‘dualistic element’ that humans have free will and are responsible for choosing between good and evil.
Buddhist worldview: Buddhism is a non-God-centred religion with a worldview based on causality and impermanence.
It is characterised by (1) the law of causality, which states that all events are explained by the law of cause and effect and that suffering and happiness in this life and the next are determined by past deeds (karma); (2) the basic structure of the world is samsara, the cycle of repeated birth and death, and humans aim to transcend this (liberation), and liberation and (3) ‘impermanence and emptiness’, which teaches that the world is constantly changing (impermanence), that there is no fixed entity and that all beings are interdependent, and denies the existence of an independent self; and (4) the importance of living in the present life rather than in the next life, (4) ‘the importance of this life’, which aims to eliminate suffering for oneself and others through meditation and practice.
While these differences reflect the philosophies and values of each religion, it can be argued that they all offer profound insights into the meaning of human existence and the purpose of the universe.
Love in each religion
The concept of ‘love’ in each religion has different features in doctrine and practice, but they all share a deep sense of humanity and ethics.
Love in Islam: in Islam, love is summarised as ‘love for Allah (God)’ and ‘love for one’s neighbour’.
It is characterised by (1) ‘love for Allah (Mahabbah)’, which emphasises a two-way love between God and the believer, who expresses his love for God in daily life through thoughts of Allah, prayers and good deeds; (2) mercy and support for others is a fundamental Islamic ethic, with ‘zakat’ (charity) and ‘sadaka’ (donations) (3) ‘love of neighbour’, in which helping the poor through ‘zakat’ or ‘sadaqah’ is encouraged, and maintaining peace and justice is also considered an act of love.
Love in Christianity: ‘Love’ is a central theme in Christianity, with an emphasis on love for God and neighbour.
It is characterised by (1) unconditional and sacrificial love, which is the most important form of God’s love for mankind, symbolised by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, ‘love for God (Agape)’; (2) neighbour refers to ‘everyone’ and requires love even for enemies, and is characterised by the ‘Golden Rule’, ‘do unto others what you would have them do unto you’; and (3) ‘love for God’, which is the most important form of love for God. (3) ‘charity and service’, in which service and assistance to the weak are presented as the practice of love and many Christian activities (hospitals, schools, charities) are based on this spirit.
Love in Buddhism: In Buddhism, love (compassion) is an important virtue alongside wisdom and the pursuit of universal affection beyond self-attachment.
It is characterised by (1) the concept of infinite compassion for all living beings as a combination of the two concepts of ‘compassion’ (the mind that gives happiness to others) and ‘grief’ (the mind that excludes the suffering of others), and this compassion should extend to all beings, including oneself, and the abandonment of selfish love (attachment) is (2) In Buddhism, attachment (craving) is seen as the cause of suffering, and therefore, if love is self-centred and conditional, it should be given up and sublimated into pure compassion, ‘transcending attachment to love’; (3) The ‘four immeasurable minds’ (compassion, sorrow, joy and renunciation) should be practised in one’s practice. (3) ‘Compassionate practice’, which aims to achieve both one’s own enlightenment and the well-being of others by practising the ‘Four Immeasurable Minds’ (compassion, sorrow, joy and renunciation) in one’s practice.
The concept of love preached by each religion has in common the aim of people’s spiritual growth and social harmony, but also has its own unique characteristics rooted in the doctrines of the respective religions.
Wisdom
Islam, Christianity and Buddhism have different views on ‘wisdom’, with the nature and role of wisdom defined according to the doctrines and philosophies of each religion.
Wisdom in Islam: in Islam, wisdom (‘hikmah’ in Arabic) is considered a gift from God (Allah) and a guide for man to do what is right according to God’s will.
It is characterised by (1) ‘wisdom by divine revelation’, which states that wisdom is given directly from God and is obtained through the study and practice of the Qur’an (Islamic holy book), and (2) wisdom is not mere knowledge, but is for achieving moral and spiritual righteousness, overcoming the trials of life and Allah’s (3) ‘practical wisdom’, in which ‘wisdom’ is the ability to make decisions to choose a way of life in obedience to Allah, (4) ‘wisdom’, in which it is recommended to pursue knowledge (ilm) and use it in the service of God, and true wisdom is to follow Allah’s will and live according to shari’ah (Islamic law).’ The relationship between knowledge and wisdom’.
Wisdom in Christianity: in Christianity, wisdom (‘sophia’ in Greek) is one of the attributes of God and is necessary for man to deepen his relationship with God.
It is characterised by (1) wisdom’s source is God, which is obtained through man’s understanding and obedience to God’s will, and the Bible teaches that ‘the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom’ (Proverbs 9:10), and that honouring God is the starting point of wisdom, ‘wisdom based on relationship with God’; (2) wisdom is a gift of the Holy Spirit (2) ‘wisdom as a gift of the Holy Spirit’, which is considered to be given by God to human beings as one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and wisdom is emphasised as a virtue of Christians, together with faith, hope and love; (3) wisdom should not be based on mere knowledge or logic but on the love of God and Christ (Jesus) is the very wisdom of God, (4) Practical wisdom: in Christianity, wisdom is manifested as the ability to love and do justice in real life, and loving others and pursuing peace are considered to be the practice of wisdom.
Wisdom in Buddhism: In Buddhism, wisdom (‘prajña’ in Sanskrit) is considered a central element in the attainment of enlightenment and the power to transcend vexations and ignorance.
It is characterised by (1) Avidya, which is the cause of suffering, and wisdom, which is the ability to see the truth of things as they are, and ‘wisdom as overcoming avidya’, which includes an understanding of ‘karma’ and ‘emptiness’; (2) wisdom is not only a theoretical understanding, but is acquired through meditation and practice. (3) ‘Wisdom as one of the Three Learnings’, in which the three precepts of precepts (moral behaviour), meditation (meditation) and wisdom (wisdom) are considered important, and wisdom enables final enlightenment; (4) Wisdom is inseparable from compassion and is considered to be the means to help others. (4) Wisdom is inseparable from compassion and is emphasised as a means of helping others, and ‘wisdom from the Mahayana Buddhist perspective’, where ‘prajna (wisdom)’ as represented in the Heart Sutra symbolises a deep understanding that all phenomena are empty.
The concept of wisdom in each religion reflects the ideals and values of that religion, and is seen as guiding human growth and liberation in a variety of forms, including God, enlightenment and moral behaviour.
reference book
Reference books are listed below.
Islamic worldview, love and wisdom
The Heart of Islam: Enduring Values for Humanity
Author: Seyyed Hossein Nasr
Description: explains the Islamic worldview, focusing on Islamic values, especially the concepts of compassion and wisdom. It explores in depth how love and wisdom are in harmony.
Love in the Holy Qur’an
Author: Mohammad Ali Shomali
Description: elaborates on the theme of ‘love’ in the Qur’an and explores the Islamic philosophy of love for God, neighbour and family.
Islamic Philosophy, Science, Culture, and Religion: Studies in Honour of Seyyed Hossein Nasr
Edited by Mehdi Aminrazavi
Abstract: A comprehensive account of wisdom and cosmology in Islamic philosophy and how they intersect with contemporary thought.
Christian Worldview, Love and Wisdom.
The City of God
Author: Augustine of Hippo
Description: A classic philosophical book on the development of the Christian worldview. It explores God’s love, wisdom and eternal meaning in human society.
The Four Loves
Author: C.S. Lewis
Description: Analyses the four forms of Christian love (affection, friendship, eros and agape) and describes the nature of love.
Love and Responsibility
Author: Karol Wojtyła (Pope John Paul II)
Description: a philosophical text based on Christian ethics that offers deep insights into human love and its responsibilities.
The Wisdom of the Christian Mystics
Editor: Timothy Freke
Description: explores the role of wisdom in Christian mysticism and the importance it plays in man’s relationship with God.
Buddhist worldview, love and wisdom
The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching
Author: Thich Nhat Hanh
Description: A classic book for beginners that teaches the integration of love and wisdom through the core teachings of Buddhism (the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, etc.).
Buddha’s Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom
Author: Rick Hanson
Description: Combines Buddhist wisdom with modern neuroscience to explain how love and thoughtfulness affect the brain.
The Way of Tenderness: Awakening through Race, Sexuality, and Gender
Author: Zenju Earthlyn Manuel
Abstract: Discusses how the Buddhist teachings of love and compassion apply to contemporary social issues (race, sexuality and gender).
Wisdom of the Buddha: The Unabridged Dhammapada
Edited by F. Max Müller
Description: an English translation of the Dhammapada, a condensed version of the Buddha’s wisdom. Provides insights into the core of Buddhism.
Comparative religions and integrative perspectives.
The World’s Religions
Author: Huston Smith
Description: A concise, in-depth explanation of the core teachings of the world’s major religions (including Islam, Christianity and Buddhism).
Love and Wisdom in the World’s Religions
Editor: Jacob Needleman
Description: Compares the role of love and wisdom in the world’s religions and analyses how these teachings guide the spiritual development of humanity.
The Wisdom of Love: Toward a Shared Understanding of Love in Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism
Author(s): Mohammed Abu-Nimer, Elizabeth Eppinger
Abstract: Compares the concepts of love in Christianity, Islam and Buddhism, and explores ways to peaceful co-existence.
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