The eightfold path followed by the Buddhist and the Ten Commandments of the Christians have similarities and differences. First, both warn against deceit. The right to speech calls for one not to tell deliberate lies or speak deceitfully. It also warns against slanderous talk and harsh words that hurt others (Bodhi Bhikkhu, 1999, p. 43). The same case applies to the ninth commandment that directs that Christians should not bear false witness against their neighbors. Similarly, the right to actions of the Buddhist concurs with the Christian’s sixth commandments and the seventh (do not murder, and commit adultery respectively) (“The Ten Commandments,” 1986). The two examples above points out the primary role of both the eightfold path and the Ten Commandments- guides the lives of the adherents so as to live righteously. Additionally, both are not strict steps that one can follow in a sequence but are components of what one ought to do.
On the contrary, the Ten Commandments appeals to God by directing that Christians should not worship other gods, make statues of them, or even call the name of Godin vain (Exodus 20: 1-7). The eightfold path does not appeal to a supernatural being and focuses on the actions of the followers in relations to one another. Also, the Ten Commandments points out only the negatives that one ought to avoid. The Buddhist’s view of the eightfold is elaborate and gives both positive and negative actions and ideas.
The eightfold path is complete since it describes what happens in human life. It gives a broad approach that is not restrictive in particular aspects. Further, it does not appeal to any deity as the Ten Commandments and, therefore, have wider applicability. Besides, it describes the relationship between man and man that forms the greater part of human life.
Work cited
Bodhi Bhikkhu. The Noble eightfold Path: The way to the End of suffering. 1999. N.P. N.d. Web. June 28, 2015. <http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/noble8path6.pdf>
New International Version. [Colorado Springs]: Biblica, 2011.
“The Ten Commandments.” 1986. N.P. N.d. June 28, 2015. <http://www.cph.org/images/topics/pdf/smallcatechism/ten-commandments.pdf>
BibleGateway.com. Web. June 28, 2015. <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+20:1-17>
