Comparative Religion Overview Buddhists The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4 Prepared by Ross Wakeley
Comparative Religion: page 37 Study 5: Buddhists Introduction and History: Buddhism was founded in India in the 6th century BC by Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha or "Enlightened One". He taught the way to Nirvana, the end of all suffering through moral life and meditation, based on knowledge of the true nature of reality. Siddhartha Gautama was born the son of the ruler of a small kingdom in about 563 BC in what is now Nepal. He was raised in sheltered luxury but when 29 years old, he visited a nearby village where for the first time he saw sick people, beggars and corpses. He left his family and wealth to seek answers to human suffering. After six years of searching and meditation he finally realized "the truth", achieved enlightenment and became Buddha. He began to preach. For the next forty-five years, until his death, he travelled around northern India preaching, gathering disciples and organising them into a religious community known as the Sangha. On his death, a council of monks gathered to commit his teachings to memory and two and a half centuries later the Tripitaka, an account of the Buddha's teaching and the oral traditions of Buddhism was written down. Buddhism is a spiritual tradition that focuses on personal spiritual development and the attainment of a deep insight into the true nature of life. Buddhism affects people's outlook on philosophy, education, values and all areas of life it is a wholistic religion. Thus Buddhism and the culture of the people are so interwoven as to be almost synonymous. Herein lies the foundation of the people's identity and of social solidarity. People are born into their religion-cultural societies, not made members by personal choice or decision. Buddhism is different from many other religions as it is not centred on the relationship between humanity and God. Buddhism doesn't fit the pattern of other religions and needs to be seen on its own terms to be understood properly. Buddhists do not believe in a personal creator God. It does not have the concept of a Saviour, nor of Heaven and Hell in the popular sense. Buddhism doesn't demand blind faith or belief, and says that people should test its teachings against personal experience. Source: www.racismnoway.com.au/classroom The Essentials of Buddhism: This religion is 2,500 years old. There are 350 million Buddhists worldwide and 360,000 Buddhists in Australia (2001 Census) and 199,000 in 1996 census (source: www.abs.gov.au). Note the growth! Founded by Siddhartha Gautama in Nepal. The path to Enlightenment or Buddhahood is through the practice and development of morality, meditation, and wisdom. Buddhists do not believe in a creator God nor a personal God, but Buddhists are tolerant of those whose beliefs are different from theirs. Buddhists believe that nothing is fixed or permanent change is always possible. Buddhism teaches that all life is interconnected, so compassion is natural and important. Source: www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism
Comparative Religion: page 38 Buddhist holy writings: The teachings of Buddhism are found in collections called the three baskets or Tripitaka and also in the scriptures of the different schools of Buddhism The Tripitaka The Vinaya Pitaka deals with monastic discipline. The Sutra (or Dharma) Pitaka deals with doctrine, for example the Buddha story, theories of the self and rebirth, the Three Jewels and the Precepts. The Abhidharma Pitaka deals with advanced doctrine and philosophy. The Dhammapada or path of Nature. This is the oldest Buddhist text. It is quite short, but of great importance and contains the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path and many teachings on practical morality and self-discipline. Summary of the Teachings of Buddha: Karma: Actions have consequences; so our lives are conditioned by our past actions. Rebirth: Consciousness continues after death, and finds expression in a future life. Liberation from karma: By following the Buddha's path one escapes the cycle of craving and suffering. The Four Noble Truths: The essentials of Buddhism. Enlightenment: The highest goal of life is to reach Enlightenment; a state of being that goes beyond suffering. Dharma: The teachings and hence the way to nirvana. At the heart of the Buddha's teaching lie The Four Noble Truths and The Eightfold Path which lead the Buddhist towards the path of Enlightenment. The Buddha taught that the human tendency is to avoid the difficult truths of life and this in turn leads to suffering. By enabling the mind to be at peace through meditation a human being can confront reality and overcome hatred and craving. The Four Noble Truths: Whilst seated beneath the Bodhi tree the Buddha experienced the four noble truths Dukkha: All existence is unsatisfactory and filled with suffering; Trsna: The root of suffering can be defined as a craving or clinging to the wrong things; searching to find stability in a shifting world is the wrong way; Nirvana: It is possible to find an end to suffering; and The Noble Eightfold path is the way to finding the solution to suffering and bring it to an end. The Noble Eightfold path: This path is the essential life-style of the Buddhist Right understanding: A full and complete understanding of the Buddha's view of life; Right attitude: A Buddhist must develop a mental state whereby goodwill and peacefulness take the place of malicious or hateful thoughts; Right speech: The practice of truthful, kindly, helpful, and harmonious communication;
The Noble Eightfold Path: Comparative Religion: page 39 Right action: Living ethically, according to the Buddhist precepts, and taking responsibility for the consequences of one's actions; Right livelihood: A Buddhist s occupation must not be harmful to others; Right effort: Making a consistent effort to overcome unwholesome motivations and cultivating wholesome ones; Right mindfulness: Consider all things with care and act, speak, and think with awareness; and Right meditation: Deep concentration through following the path of Buddhist meditation. The Threefold Way: The Threefold Way is a central way for Buddhists Ethics: To live one s life in a way that helps, rather than causes harm; Meditation: Transforming the mind through meditation practice; and Wisdom: Understanding the truth pointed to by the Buddha through listening, reflection, and meditation. The Three Jewels: The three highest ideals of Buddhism are The Buddha: The historical Buddha and the state of Buddhahood he embodies; The Dharma: The teachings of the Buddha and the truth they point at; and The Sangha: All those who have attained Enlightenment and the spiritual community of those following the same path. Buddhist worship: Buddhists can worship both at home or at a temple. It is not considered essential to go to a temple to worship with others. At home, Buddhists will often set aside a room or a part of a room as a shrine. There will be a statue of Buddha, candles, and an incense burner. Buddhist temples come in many shapes. Perhaps the best known are the pagodas of China and Japan. Another typical Buddhist building is the Stupa, which is a stone structure built over what are thought to be relics of the Buddha, or over copies of the Buddha's teachings. Buddhist temples are designed to symbolise the five elements: Fire Air Earth, symbolised by the square base Water Wisdom, symbolised by the pinnacle at the top. All Buddhist temples contain an image or a statue of Buddha. There are many forms of Buddhist worship as there are schools of Buddhism and there are many of those. Worship in Mahayana tradition takes the form of devotion to Buddha and to Bodhisattvas. Worshippers may sit on the floor barefoot facing an image of Buddha and chanting. They will listen to monks chanting from religious texts, perhaps accompanied by instruments, and take part in prayers. Source: www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism
Buddhist customs: Buddhist tradition has developed many different customs basic to all traditions are: Pilgrimage Four main centres of pilgrimage [which marked key locations in the Buddha s life], emerged within the first couple of hundred years after Buddha s death Since then other centres have emerged in virtually every area where Buddhism has been established, each with its own practices and customs. The purpose of pilgrimage is to foster a spiritual discipline, to fulfil a vow or simply to travel. It is an important Buddhist practice. Pilgrimage helps to express devotion and creates a relationship with the historical figures at the site. Ordination Admission to the monastic sangha involves two rites of passage: Renunciation of the secular life Acceptance of monasticism as a novice. Since in many cases, acceptance as a monk could not be made before the age of 20, the two rites could be separated by many years. Ordination is an important ceremony in all traditions. In the Theravada, for example, ordination means becoming a monk. To become a Theravadin monk a postulant shaves his head and beard and adopts the yellow robes of the monk. Various vows are exchanged, including the repetition of the Ten Precepts. Then the postulant is questioned about past behaviour and their suitability for the position. If satisfied, the officiating abbot admits the postulant. Varieties of Buddhism Originally there wasn't even Buddhism, there was just the truth the teachings of the Buddha. Since then, Buddhism has divided into a number of different systems Theravada Mahayana Pure Land Tibetan Zen However all these accept many of the same fundamental teachings as correct, and there is little friction between any of these groups - much less than is found among different groups of many other religions. The best way to regard the different types of Buddhism is as alternative paths to enlightenment. Another way is to realise that while each type is found in many countries, each is strongest in particular parts of the world. The Precepts Comparative Religion: page 40 Venerating the Buddha This may take the form of meditating on the qualities of Buddha, and honouring the Buddha or Buddha-figure. A person could honour the Buddha by making offerings to relics or images of the Buddha. The exchange of gifts In the Theravada tradition, Buddhist laypersons often give gifts to Buddhist monks but giving is also encouraged more generally, to one another and to good causes. In Theravada Buddhism, monks are considered to embody the fruits of Buddhist practice. Monks' responsibility is to share these with lay Buddhists through their example and teaching. Giving to monks is also thought to benefit lay people and to win them merit. Causing injury to living things; Taking that which is not given; Sexual immorality; Falsehood; and The use of alcohol and drugs as they tend to cloud the mind. Some Buddhists follow a more rigorous approach, undertaking to refrain from Taking food after midday; Dancing, singing, amusements or the use of cosmetics and personal adornments; Monks refrain from accepting gold, silver or the use of a luxurious bed.
Comparative Religion: page 41 Christian response to Buddhist teaching: Buddhist Teaching: Noble Truth: All life is suffering all creation is inherently sick. Christians, Jews and Muslims would agree with part of Buddhism s First Noble Truth. Psalm 90:10 says The length of our days is seventy years or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow. However, when they claim that life is inherently ill, Christians object, for Genesis 1 states, In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth... and it was good. Buddhist Teaching: Noble Truth: Suffering is caused by desire which is due to humanity s own ignorance, craving sensuality and sensations. Suffering in this world is caused by sin. Evil desires and cravings are sin. When Adam and Eve were created, God said that it was very good. They were perfect, without sin. Life was imperishable. However, they were tempted by Satan to sin, rebelled against God and life was no longer perfect. Suffering and death entered the world. Mankind, on its own, has no way out: Death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God For the wages of sin is death (Romans 5:14, 3:23, 6:23). Buddhist Teaching Noble Truth: there can be an end to desire Nirvana, which is true, realized reality. There is an end to desire: not by a self-realization of Nirvana, but by faith in the forgiveness of sins that Jesus won for all mankind on the cross. As Paul says, I tell you a mystery... the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality... then the saying that is written will come true: Death has been swallowed up in victory...thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:51-57) Christians don t speak about Nirvana, but have a parallel term: heaven. Heaven indeed is the true realized Reality as John records with his account of heaven Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" (Revelation 21:3-5) Buddhist Teaching Noble Truth: the way to this is through the Eightfold Path. Heaven is not earned by right meditation or right actions or by following a prescribed path. A person on their own cannot work their way to perfection. It is the gift of a kind and loving God. The Bible teaches: A righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known... This righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ... There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ (Romans 3:21-25). Christians call this righteousness justification or redemption. We are declared justified before God, only because of what Jesus did He redeemed us or paid the price to buy us back from sin, death and eternal suffering in Hell: God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him (John 3:17,17).
Christian response to Buddhist teaching: Comparative Religion: page 42 Buddhist Teaching The Eightfold Noble Path of right understanding; right thought; right speech; right action; right vocation; right effort; right mindfulness; right contemplation. The Christian s walk through life is also a Noble Path, not as a means of meriting a future life in Nirvana, but in response to a loving God who promises forgiveness and eternal life. Heaven is a free gift of God, simply through faith in Jesus Christ, received through the working of God the Holy Spirit. The Christian s Noble Path is faith in action! It is spoken of as, the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). It is our response back to God for all He has done for us. The Christian s Noble Path may properly be called Sanctification : being made holy or set apart and is a dynamic work of the Holy Spirit transforming our attitude, values and character. As we daily choose to follow God, the power of God progressively forms Jesus within us: I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20). Our renewed character leads to acts of faith or good works that are personal, visible evidence of a living faith: Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. (Hebrews 10:24, see also James 2:17) The person of Jesus and His teaching In the Bible, Matthew, Mark and Luke all record Jesus directive: If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. (Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34 and Luke 9:23) Buddhists and Christians seek eternity, however Buddhists don t recognize the one true God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Buddha s teachings claim that people are sentenced to endless repetitions of life-manifestations until they get it right and reach Nirvana. God s Holy Bible teaches that there is only one way to eternal life. Jesus said, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6) The major conflict between Buddhists and Christians is over the person of Jesus Christ. While Buddhists recognize Jesus as an historical figure, they do not accept him as the only way to salvation. Buddhists see Jesus Christ as a good man who went about doing good and showing compassion on the sick, the demon-possessed, and the needy and sinful. Pondering Christ's sacrificial death upon the cross, a thinking Buddhist convert said, "Jesus is unparalleled in human history; no one has loved as he loved." Nor do they recognize God as the creator of the universe or acknowledge anything like the Holy Spirit. They do not recognize that the universe was created; they claim it to be a fabrication of the mind. Buddhists work to achieve salvation by their own effort. Christians know salvation comes only by faith in Jesus. Buddhists also do not recognize the concepts of sin or forgiveness, only that certain actions produce bad or disturbed Karma. As previously noted, Buddhism teaches that life is an endless cycle of reincarnations until one reaches Nirvana. However, God s Word teaches that: man is destined to die once, and after that face judgment (Hebrews 9:27). For the Christian, judgment of heaven or hell rests solely on whether on not an individual has faith in Jesus Christ not a faith achieved on one s own, but through the work and power of the Holy Spirit alone. Buddhism is a different religion to Christianity. It does not offer the hope of salvation in Jesus Christ that Christianity does. It supports a good moral life while at the same time it denies the Great Creator of moral life. It gives the wrong answer to the great question of the purpose of life. It provides no light for the path, only cold emptiness and non-existence. Source: www.lcms.org/310/worldrel/buddhism2.pdf
Comparative Religion: page 43 Comparison of beliefs Buddhists and Christians Christianity teaches Heaven is a reality Personal eternal life Saviour is the person of Christ There is a literal hell of suffering The one God is tri-une Father Son (Jesus) and Holy Spirit God is a personal being Moral absolutes World is real for us Sin is the problem Desires needs redirection Jesus = God is salvation Emmanuel = God with us Christ = the anointed one Buddhism teaches Nirvana is the ultimate state = nothingness Extinction of the self Saviour is one s self and one s works There is no hell in the biblical sense of permanency The tripple gem 1) the Buddha = teacher 2) the dharma = truth 3) the sangaya = light Impersonal force, no God No moral absolutes World is an illusion Ignorance is the problem Desire needs to be eliminated Siddhartha means, "he who has accomplished his objectives." Buddha = the Enlightened One Source: www.letusreason.org/buddh1.htm Additional resources: A Book of Beliefs M. Langley, J. Butterworth, J. Allan Lion Publishing So what s the difference F.Ridenour Regal books Notes:
Comparative Religion: page 44 Summary chart Difference s between Christianity and Buddhists Buddhists believe... Christians believe... GOD Deny the existence of a personal God. Believe in Omniscient (everywhere at once) and Omnipotent (all powerful) God [see Job 42:2; Psalm 115:3; Matthew 19:26]. JESUS CHRIST He was a good teacher, however he is less important than Buddha. The unique Son of God, who died for the sin of all mankind [see Matthew 14:33, 16:16; John 1:34, 9:35-37; 1 Corinthians 15:3; Romans 5:6-8]. SIN Sin is really anything that hinders a person s progress in life. Each person is responsible for their own sin. Sin is actually any thought or action contrary to the character and nature of God. It is an attitude of rebellion. Each person is spiritually dead in their sin [see Romans 3:10, 23; 5:12; Eph 2:1]. SALVATION Buddhists believe salvation is by self effort alone. Salvation is totally through the finished work of Jesus Christ [see Acts 4:12; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8-10]. Warning! Buddhists present as gentle and caring truth is they are deluded by the, devil... there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). Tibetan Buddhists graduate to the elite who contact the spirit world. George Otis, in researching The Twilight Labyrinth (1997) visited a gathering of such monks, led by Ling Rinpoche. On entering the room, George saw this Buddhist levitating in the air and spinning. Demon possessed, the man stopped spinning and announced: You are a Christian. Get out of here! Our ministry to Buddhist people needs to be framed in a context of alertness to the spiritual battle with appropriate prayer (se Ephesians 6:10-20). A naïve approach is unwise (Matthew 10:16). Go with a genuine agape love and try to reach Buddhists in their natural setting without uprooting them from their family and cultural ties. Source: www.gospelcom.net/lcwe/lop