Daoist, Buddhist, and Christian Readings on Creation

Abstract

Despite the East-West and historical differences, human thought transcends time and space in the creation myths of Taoism, Buddhism, and Judeo-Christianity. The guiding myth of each accounts for the origin of the universe, creation, nature, and humanity. Although these religions share etiological reasoning about ultimate truths, each illuminates a different perspective. Therein lies insightful comparison and contrast. Although Buddhism denies a divine being, the concept of an absolute Nothingness expresses the reality of divinity. Daoism’s “Oneness” teaches about a vast universe and creation. Christian theology, which is based in part of comparable Hebraic creation myths, can extend a hand toward Daoism and Buddhism for the development of each other. While Christianity has been largely exclusive for two millennia, the Korean context of interreligious textual exchange offers an opportunity for mutual discernment.