Quran, Culture And Civilization

Quran, Culture And Civilization

Civilizational Convergence: An Analysis of Sacrifice and Jihad in the Teachings of Buddha and Their Qur’anic Critique (Strategies, Principles, Objectives, and Characteristics)

Authors
Hojjatollah Mehrabi 1
Ebrahim Rezaei Adriyani 2
Mohsen Barghikar 3
Hamid Elahidoost 4
1 Lecturer, Department of Qur’an and Hadith, Al-Mustafa International University, Isfahan, Iran.
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Qur’anic and Hadith Studies, Al-Mustafa International University, Isfahan, Iran.
3 Lecturer, School of Islamic Sciences and Teachings, Al-Mustafa International University, Isfahan, Iran.
4 Assistant Professor of Jurisprudence and Principles, Al-Mustafa International University, Isfahan, Iran.
10.22034/jksl.2025.456103.1361
Abstract
Self-sacrifice on the battlefield is one of the life-giving themes emphasized in many human schools of thought. Examining this concept in living non-monotheistic traditions such as Buddhism-which still has a considerable number of followers-shows that a rational explanation of the Qur’anic teachings and the clarification and reinforcement of commonalities between Islam and Buddhism in relation to self-sacrifice can bring about significant civilizational convergence among their adherents. Investigating this issue requires an in-depth study of the foundations, objectives, and characteristics of self-sacrifice, since these three domains determine the quality and scope of defensive and sacrificial teachings within religions and traditions. Using a descriptive-analytical method, this study explores the general teachings of Buddhism in these three domains, explains their influence on the spirit of sacrifice and defense, and then critiques them in light of Qur’anic knowledge. The findings indicate that Buddhism, drawing upon the Four Noble Truths, the law of karma, and universal altruistic thought, regards the main strategy of self-sacrifice in war as granting concessions and offering one’s interests to the aggressor in order to satisfy the enemy’s material desires. The Qur’an, while acknowledging the principle of suffering in life and directing it wisely toward higher goals, critiques the Buddhist objectives, rejects the notion of the enemy’s reformability in the Buddhist strategy, and instead affirms the necessity of active defense and sacrifice.
 

Graphical Abstract

Civilizational Convergence: An Analysis of Sacrifice and Jihad in the Teachings of Buddha and Their Qur’anic Critique (Strategies, Principles, Objectives, and Characteristics)
Keywords
Buddhist teachings
civilizational convergence
Qur’an
critique of Buddhism
objectives of sacrifice in Buddhism
sacrifice in Buddhism

Subjects

The Holy Qur’an.
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  • Receive Date 29 June 2024
  • Revise Date 05 March 2025
  • Accept Date 12 April 2025
  • Publish Date 23 September 2025