Christian and Buddhist Teachings on Compassion (graphic)
published February 11, 2026
by Catharine Hannay, founder of MindfulTeachers.org
The theology of Buddhism and Christianity may be quite different, but the underlying values are usually quite similar. It can be interesting to compare and reflect on the lessons found in scriptures from both traditions, especially if you have students or clients whose beliefs and traditions are different from your own.
Depending on the context where you work, it might or might not be appropriate to share these quotes with your students or clients. Some people in secular, Buddhist, or Christian contexts are much more open than others to learning from unfamiliar perspectives.
Source(s) of the quotes
The Christian quotes above come from the Book of Luke, one of the four biblical Gospels which recount the life and teachings of Jesus.
The Buddhist quotes above come from the Dhammapada, a collection of the sayings of the Buddha, and the Majjhima Nikaya, a collection of discourses attributed to the Buddha and his chief disciples.
I found these quotes in the book Jesus and Buddha: The Parallel Sayings, which was edited by New Testament scholar and theologian Marcus Borg, with an introduction by Jack Kornfield, a psychologist and meditation teacher who trained as a Buddhist monk.
More Information about Christian and Buddhist Teachings
There are many more resources here at MindfulTeachers.org on Christian and Buddhist approaches to mindfulness and compassion, including the following posts: