World religions & groups
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Introduction
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In this lesson, we learn about one of the popular man-made religions called Buddhism. As you learn the facts about Buddhism, you will be able to appreciate the supremacy of Christ and the precious truths contained in the Bible.
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History
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- Over 2500 years old
- Founded by Buddha. 563-483 BC. Also called enlightened one.
- Born in Nepal
- 44 years of teaching and wandering
- Died suddenly at 80
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Belief
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- Life is disappointing and full of suffering
- Suffering is result of one's desires for pleasure and power
- To stop suffering, one must stop desiring
- Way to stop desiring is the eightfold path given below.
- Does not believe in one God
- Reincarnation
- Buddhists believe in rebirth and reincarnation
- Buddha preached that soul goes through many incarnations before it finally sheds all its karma and is reunited to its pure state called Nirvana.
- Nirvana
- Believe in nirvana, which is a state of no suffering
- State of highest happiness
- State of no aging and no dying and no movement
- Buddha was not a god and Buddhism does not embrace a theistic worldview
- Buddha's teachings aim to liberate people from suffering through human efforts such as meditation, beliefs, and practices.
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Four noble truths of Buddhism
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- There is suffering
- Suffering has a cause
- Suffering has an end
- There is a path that leads to end of that suffering. This is the eightfold path.
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Eightfold path to overcome suffering in Buddhism
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- Right thought or attitude
- Right intention
- Right speech
- Right conduct or action
- Right livelihood or occupation
- Right effort
- Right awareness
- Right concentration
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Biblical view of suffering
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- Christ suffered and died for us. By His stripes we are healed
- Isaiah 53:3-5 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
- Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
- But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
- Christ liberated us from sin by becoming sin for us
- 2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
- Christ is the only mediator between man and God. The only way to eternal life and eternal happiness is belief in Christ
- 1 Timothy 2:5-6 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
- Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
- John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
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Comparison with Christ
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Buddha |
Christ |
Never claimed to be God |
Claimed to be God |
Never prophesied |
Made many prophecies |
Performed no miracles |
Performed many miracles |
Died and his body was cremated |
Was crucified and resurrected to life again |
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Comparison with Christianity
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Buddhism |
Christianity |
There is no personal God. |
There is a personal God |
World exists by natural laws |
God created the world and everything in it. |
There is no concept of sinning against God |
Everyone is guilty of sinning against God. Christ is our atonement. |
People are temporary and have no inherent worth |
Human beings were created by God and have infinite worth. They live forever. |
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Reflection
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- Can Buddha save the world?
- Did Buddha believe God?
- Did Buddha perform miracles?
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Prayer
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May the lord lead us to eternal truth. Jesus is the truth.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
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