There are mythic branches of the Christianities. In fact, most of the religions have mythic branches and the ideas about these topics on self are strikingly similar and convergent.

On the other direction, Buddhism is not so 'spiritual directed' in the prescientific history. The difference is just that Buddhism is very malleable. People can easily pick and choose the text and practices and even treat it as non religion. You can easily practice Buddhism in the modern context without the baggage.