Buddhism: Teacher-Student
Christianity: Parent-Child
Islam: Leader-Follower.
The differences in the dynamics underlie the approach to power and human relationships. In the case of Buddhism, the student gets self-empowerment and eventual independence. He can quit being a student at any time he so chooses. His being a student is only temporary and transitory. As Gautama said, "You can be a Buddha just like me if you work hard and achieve Enlightenment/Understanding. Follow the direction of my finger's pointing and see the moon. Do not mistake my finger for the moon. Work on yourself with diligence. In the end, only you can save yourself" (Wissai's note: not exact quote. I'm relying on memory.)
Such an approach to Spiritualism and Understanding is absent in the teachings of Jesus and Muhammad. These two men demanded total obedience from followers and invoked far-fetched, far-out, fantastical, unverifiable crutches of "God" to instill beliefs.
Ask yourself which approach makes more sense, respects you as a dignified, intelligent human being, and treats you with respect.
It is not a coincidence that Buddhism appeals to intelligent, educated, sensitive people.
By the way, I am not a Buddhist as I don't believe in Reincarnation. To me, Death is Death, the final destination of an INDIVIDUAL life. The energy formerly embodied in such an individual may move on, but the individual himself cannot. His allotted lifespan is used up and he is finished and will never be seen ever again. Neither can he "transform" into another human being or any other being. We only have one shot in life.
Ainsi Parlait/Thus Spoke/Así Dijo Wissai
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