Holy love and compassionate love: A comparison of the essential differences between the concept of love in Lutheran theology and the Buddhist concept of love

Abstract

Christianity and Buddhism, two of the most influential religions in the world, have given much thought to the concept of love, and both regard it as the basic spirit of their religions, but there are some essential differences between the two. Specifically speaking, the Lutheran theological tradition which has developed since the Reformation in the 16th century advocates the holy love entirely centered on God. In contrast, Buddhism affirms an uncontaminated love emanating from a compassionate heart. This article attempts to analyze and examine the fundamental assertations of the concept of love in Lutheran theology and the Buddhist concept of love in order to reveal the essential differences between the two religions.