> Grace is a concept that arises with in theistic context. Grace is given by
> god, though there is nothing we do to deserve it. Quite the contrary,

being

> sinners, we do not.

I have heard this definition of grace, but I find it difficult to unravel.
Having married a Christian, I have learned that her church believes grace is
only given to those who practice Christianity correctly. In other words,
God (in the person of Christ) came into the world to teach how salvation
might be attained, but salvation must still be earned through individual
effort in the form of correct practice. Is this what is called "grace"?

The Buddha came into the world to teach how nibbana might be attained, but
nibbana must still be earned through individual effort in the form of
correct practice. Is this what is called "compassion"?

To my inexperienced mind, if there is something in the Christian idea of
"God's grace" that is not in the Buddhist idea of "Buddha's compassion", it
is that God created salvation, whereas the Buddha discovered nibbana. On
the other hand, Christians believe that God created everything else as well,
and Buddhists (as far as I know) simply don't address the question of why
reality should be so constructed that we can escape samsara.

If I have said anything someone knows to be wrong, let me know. This is one
of many topics I regularly come across in discussions with my wife.

Thank you.
Brian.
(new to the group)