Interfaith World Religions Summary West and East

Author(s): Pravin K Shah
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

Page 8

Paths to God and Salvation Western
. Only one path leads to God, others are false and futile • Strictly dualistic (God and Man are separate) • One must accept the one true religion otherwise the soul, laden
with sin, will be damned on Judgment Day • Salvation is through strict obedience to God's will, through a
messiah/prophet
• Salvation comes at the end of the world Eastern
• Freedom to choose own form of worship • Beliefs may be dual or non-dual (all paths lead to God) • Liberation or Salvation is through Self realization and/or
Surrendering to God's Will • Salvation is to be found in this life and within oneself • Sin is only of the mind, not of the soul, which is pure . God does not judge or punish (No Judgment day)