Philippine E-Journals

Agape and Maitri: Convergence in Christian and Buddhist Ethics

C. D. Sebastian

Discipline: Religion

 

Abstract:

Agape (love and charity) is a Christian value par excellence. Agape binds everyone together in Koinonia (communion). An equivalent of Christian Agape could be Maitri (love and friendliness) in Buddhism. In Buddhism, Maitri with Karuna (compassion) is even considered to be more comprehensive virtue than its Christian counterpart Agape, since it embraces beyond one’s neighbor, all beings. This paper looks philosophically at Agape and Maitri and unravels their sublimity.