By Jason Tang
Buddhism began over 2,500 years ago, has more than 300 million followers, ranks as one of the oldest religions in the world and teaches 84,000 different paths towards enlightenment.
Compare that with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which was established less than 200 years ago, has over 11 million members, ranks as one of the fastest growing religions in the world and teaches only one way to achieve heavenly glory.
In a state with over 2 million people, and over 70 percent of those people LDS, one may wonder how the two religions coexist.
'When it comes to just living in this life, there wouldn''t be a lot of areas of conflict,' said Ken White, an assistant professor in the history department, with a doctorate in Buddhology. 'The Buddhists tend to accept others'' beliefs better than monotheistic groups like Christianity or Islam.'
Jimmie Inthavong, a senior from Visalia, Calif., double majoring in recreational management and travel and tourism, said she has lived in a coexisting situation her whole life.
'My dad is Buddhist and my mother and I are Christian,' Inthavong said. 'But my dad always supported me, even when I went on my mission, which he didn''t completely understand.'
Inthavong, who also has grandparents who are Buddhist, said she never felt any pressure or malice for being Christian and not Buddhist.
'People who were Buddhist and knew I was Christian have always been supportive,' she said. 'They would tease me about my values and standards, but they never criticized me.'
When examined closer, one can find many parallels when comparing the two religions. One major similarity is the fact that Buddhists believe people are responsible for each other and they follow the teaching of interdependence, which is equivalent to 'The Golden Rule' of Christianity.
'My mother is a convert to the church from Buddhism and a lot of their beliefs are the same as the commandments we have,' Inthavong said. 'I think that''s one of the things that got my mom converted - the high standards and morals.'
According to the Web site for the Salt Lake Buddhist Temple, Buddhists think Christianity is a great religion, and Jesus Christ was a great teacher, but they don''t accept that he was the only Son of God, died on the cross and was resurrected.
'One of the big differences is that in the final analysis you''re not beholden to one God or deity,' White said. 'Also you''re striving for Buddhahood, which means you yourself can become a Buddha, just as someone can become a God.'
White makes reference to the LDS doctrine of man having the potential to become gods.
'As man is, God once was. As God is, man may become,' as former LDS President Lorenzo Snow taught.
Inthavong points out other differences she has noticed.
'We believe in being guided by the Spirit, and they believe that meditation will guide them,' she said. 'Personally, I''ve grown up around Buddhism but never agreed with it.'
In contrast White said for Buddhists, it''s important to achieve personal enlightenment. Enlightenment means to achieve the wisdom of the Buddha -- understanding that nothing in this world is permanent and worrying about this very moment, not about what is to come or what has come.
'The main teaching in Buddhism is to get rid of human suffering,' said Reverend Jerry Hirano of the Salt Lake Buddhist Temple, 'and gain enlightenment.'