World religions & groups
 
Introduction

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.

History
  • 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
Belief
  • 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.
Four noble truths of Buddhism
  1. There is suffering
  2. Suffering has a cause
  3. Suffering has an end
  4. There is a path that leads to end of that suffering. This is the eightfold path.
Eightfold path to overcome suffering in Buddhism
  1. Right thought or attitude
  2. Right intention
  3. Right speech
  4. Right conduct or action
  5. Right livelihood or occupation
  6. Right effort
  7. Right awareness
  8. Right concentration
Biblical view of suffering
  1. Christ suffered and died for us. By His stripes we are healed
    1. 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.
    2. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
    3. 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.
  2. Christ liberated us from sin by becoming sin for us
    1. 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.
  3. Christ is the only mediator between man and God. The only way to eternal life and eternal happiness is belief in Christ
    1. 1 Timothy 2:5-6 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
    2. Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
    3. 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.
Comparison with Christ

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

Comparison with Christianity

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.

Reflection
  1. Can Buddha save the world?
  2. Did Buddha believe God?
  3. Did Buddha perform miracles?
Prayer
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.