salvation

Being saved. In Christianity, individuals are thought of as being saved from eternal punishment through Jesus's death on the cross, although this may be understood in different ways. In Buddhism, especially in Chinese and Japanese Buddhism, people can be saved from the endless cycle of reincarnation through bodhisattvas or through Amida Buddha. In Hinduism, especially in the bhakti tradition, devotion to a god can bring salvation from reincarnation.

In Christianity and Islam, it is people's sin that places them in danger of punishment after death. In Buddhism and Hinduism, it is karma that ties people to the cycle of reincarnation.

Christianity Christians believe that sin leads to a breakdown in the relationship between the sinner and God. Sins can be forgiven, however, but the sinner must repent of his or her sins, believe in Jesus as ‘Saviour’, and enter a personal relationship with God. The struggle against sin is life-long and cannot be achieved without God's grace. Roman Catholics stress the importance of Christian community and ritual, and believe that God's grace can be found in the sacraments and the Eucharist. Protestants stress the importance of personal faith, and often believe salvation begins with baptism.