Buddha and Jesus Christ are not merely objects of faith; their existence and teachings have long transcended the boundaries of belief itself. Faith, by its very definition, requires believing and looking up to something, placing truth outside oneself and fostering dependence and worship. However, the core teachings of Buddha and Jesus Christ point toward an inner awakening and transcendence. Both emphasized selflessness and equality. Buddha taught people to let go of attachment, to realize the equality of all beings, and to transcend the subjective boundaries of self-centeredness. Jesus Christ emphasized love and inclusion, reminding humanity that everyone is a child of God, without distinction, and demonstrated this by associating with social outcasts and breaking down religious and social barriers.

This spirit of transcending faith leads people away from merely looking up to external authority and back to their own nature, encouraging them to experience truth personally. Buddha once said not to believe something just because of tradition, scripture, authority, or the words of a teacher, but only to accept what one has personally verified as true. Jesus also said that the kingdom of God is within you, emphasizing an inner experience of unity with God. This attitude is not blind faith but a thorough self-awareness and practice. The essence of faith is thus elevated to a new level, shifting from external dependence to internal realization.

In the real world, this spirit of transcending faith also faces challenges. When believers insist on not compromising with politics and simply follow the teachings of Jesus or Buddha, they are often seen by mainstream society as out of touch or even as anti-human. Because they refuse to participate in power structures and insist on love and equality, this attitude may bring rejection and pressure in the short term, but in the long run, such persistence is the true force driving human peace and progress. Every major step forward in history often comes from those who dare to hold on to their faith and challenge reality.

Jesus used the parable of the sower to illustrate that the seed of truth falls on different kinds of hearts, and only those who are prepared can let the truth take root and grow. He did not cater to crowds who came for miracles and material benefits; instead, he used profound teachings to filter out those who truly longed for truth. He often felt helpless when his disciples failed to understand his intentions, because even those closest to him often could not grasp the spiritual depth he pursued. This process of selection and teaching is meant to bring faith back to its essence, so that everyone can personally experience inner transformation.

As the number of believers increased, faith communities had to move from small group models to organization and institutionalization. While this process helped transmit faith and unify doctrine, it also brought formalism, power struggles, and the risk of political entanglement. The writing of the Gospels was born in the context of the expansion of faith, doctrinal disputes, and the emergence of heresies, in order to preserve the teachings of Jesus and the core of faith. All of this is an inevitable process in the development of faith, from purity to institution, from oral tradition to written word, with both gains and losses.

On the road to Jesus’ redemption, Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s three denials became indispensable links in the history of salvation. Judas’ actions, on the surface a betrayal, actually fulfilled Jesus’ suffering and resurrection. Without Judas’ betrayal, Peter would not have faced his test of faith, nor would there have been later repentance, forgiveness, and a firmer faith. Peter’s weakness and repentance led to a transformation of his soul, and he eventually became the leader of the church and a martyr for his faith. Jesus had long predicted that his disciples would one day drink from the cup he drank, preparing them for future growth and sacrifice.

Judas’ role also reminds us that God’s plan of salvation transcends human moral judgment and dualistic thinking. Whether it is Judas, despised by the world, or John, revered as a saint, both experienced extreme suffering and sacrifice, and ultimately left this world and entered the kingdom of God. Fame and inf names; true value lies in the relationship between the soul and God, not in external evaluation. The kingdom of God is inclusive; God can turn human weakness, failure, and pain into opportunities for redemption and growth.

True faith transcends the dualistic judgments of religion and the world, seeing the unique value of every soul before God. Whether it is the loneliness of the wilderness or the pain of being rejected, as long as the heart turns to God, one can ultimately enter the narrow gate. The teachings of Buddha and Jesus, the stories of the disciples, and the development of the church are all a journey of the soul from weakness to steadfastness, from failure to redemption, from appearance to essence. This path belongs not only to Peter, Judas, and John, but also to everyone who is willing to seek truth, face themselves, and long for growth.