The paths to enlightenment in Buddhism and Christianity are profound spiritual journeys designed to awaken people to their true selves and connect them to a higher plane of consciousness. The Buddha is credited as embodying the Buddhist path to enlightenment by realizing the Four Noble Truths and adopting the Eightfold path. It emphasizes nirvana—a state of liberation from the cycle of birth and death—and the removal of suffering. Buddhism typically refers to the journey as a "process of self-discovery, inner transformation, and the cultivation of wisdom and compassion".

As the personification of divine love and salvation in Christianity, Jesus Christ is directly linked to the idea of enlightenment. It entails taking up Jesus' way of life and teachings, acknowledging him as the Savior and Son of God, and enlarging one's relationship with him by devotion and faith. In Christianity, the pursuit of righteousness, holiness, repentance, and forgiveness are all basic elements of the route to enlightenment. This transformational journey leads to oneness with God and knowledge of eternal life.

Both Buddhism and Christianity acknowledge the dual nature of human existence. On one hand, human beings are seen as flawed and subject to suffering. They are prone to attachment, ego-driven desires, and the illusions of the material world. On the other hand, they possess an infinite potential for growth, transcendence, and connection with the divine. This duality is reflected in the concept of the self as both finite and infinite, the recognition of the personal self, and the realization of a higher, boundless self. The paths of enlightenment in both traditions involve reconciling these dual aspects, embracing one's humanity while simultaneously transcending its limitations, and seeking unity with the divine through inner transformation and spiritual awakening.