Buddhism PT 3
Notes
Transcript
Handout
1 And God spake all these words, saying, 2 I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Today we are going to talk about a religion that claims to have about 300-400 million followers.
Today we are talking about Buddhism.
Who founded Buddhism?
Siddhartha Gautama.
He was a Hindu prince of India during the 6th (~500 BC) century BC.
According to Buddhist traditions he lived a very lavish and sheltered life. His father shrouded him in comfort from an early age and prevented him from seeing any form of suffering or discomfort.
It was not until he grew up that he witnessed the suffering of people such as disease and death.
He would later be known by the name Sakyamuni which means Sage of Saky clan.
What other popular name would he later claim?
The Buddha.
What does Buddha mean?
Enlightened One.
Siddhartha did marry Yashodhara and they had one son named Rāhula. The day that Siddhartha’s son Rāhula was born is the day when he forsook the lavish life of the palace and abandoned the throne in the search for spiritual enlightenment.
Note this as we will come back to this incident later, as I think it does have some importance.
Siddhartha sought to find a meaning to human suffering and the solution. He tried a number of techniques in his efforts, including asceticism (bodily deprivation).
Does anyone know where he came to enlightenment?
While meditating under a Bodhi-tree.
A Bodhi-tree is a small fig tree in India, which is considered sacred.
It could be noted that buddhism is considered a ‘Yogic’ religion along with others such as hinduism. Since much of the purpose of yoga is meditating on inner self and disconnecting from your surroundings. More or less to achieve a feeling.
It was under this Bodhi-tree that Siddhartha became “enlightened”.
It was here that he realized four important truths.
How old was buddha when he became “enlightened”?
35 years old.
6 years after he abandoned his family and the palace.
New Dictionary of Theology: Historical and Systematic Buddhism and Christianity
Suffering (dukkha), a reality for all sentient beings, is unhappiness, a lack of satisfaction due to the changing nature of existence.
• The cause of suffering is our craving and thirst (tanha).
• Suffering can be reduced and eradicated by stopping our craving and striving.
• The way leading to the cessation of suffering, or enlightenment, nirvana, is following the Middle Way, also known as the Eight-Fold Path.
I’m not going to harp on this much as we do this ourselves in many things in life.
But, don’t you just love how within this four step realization there is a another eight?
What is the eightfold path?
[insert photo]
New Dictionary of Theology Buddhism and Christianity
A person can break this cycle of rebirths by realizing that the essence of all things, including the soul, is emptiness. The great doctrine of Buddhism is anatta, ‘no soul’.
New Dictionary of Theology Buddhism and Christianity
In Buddhism, there is no soul. Rather, a consciousness is reborn and needs to be extinguished just as a candle flame is blown out.
Does anyone know the ultimate goal of a Buddhist?
To not reincarnate.
How does one not reincarnate?
Becoming enlightened.
New Dictionary of Theology Buddhism and Christianity
Though the Buddhist doctrine of extinction may seem nihilistic to Christians, living a pure life to end a cycle of lives full of suffering is understood to be idealistic rather than fatalistic.
Nihilistic: rejecting all religious and moral principles in the belief that life is meaningless.
There are two distinct branches we must discuss when talking about Buddhism.
Theravada
A branch of Buddhism predominant in Southeast Asia: Thailand, Burma, Cambodia and Laos. Historically, the level of personal commitment and sacrifice required to achieve “nirvana” (or “nibbana”) is very high in this branch of Buddhism. Therefore, the emphasis is on orders of monks and nuns who are the primary practitioners of Buddhism. Monasteries with large monk populations are more common in this branch of Buddhism. Burma (Myanmar), for example, has 500,000 monks.
Mahayana
A branch of Buddhism predominant in Sri Lanka, Japan, Taiwan, China, Korea, Vietnam and Tibet. In this form of Buddhism, the practice of the faith and achievement of “nirvana” is available to everyone, including the common person. Tibetan Buddhism (led by the Dalai Lama) is sometimes considered a separate school but often included under Mahayana Buddhism. Other well-known Mahayana sects include Zen and Nichiren Buddhism (Japan). Nichiren is distinctly “evangelical” seeking to put down other beliefs and win converts.
Lets take a step back and ask three basic questions regarding most worldviews.
Every worldview has to answer three important questions:
How did we get here?
How did everything get so messed up?
How can we fix it?
Buddhism cannot really answer the first one as they have no belief in a god or divine being that created anything. Thus in some sense they would probably defer to something like evolution.
Buddhism does offer an answer to the Four Noble Truths.
Suffering is the result of our cravings/desires.
Buddhism teaches our desires lead us to become “attached” to the very things eventually causing us to suffer. In this regard, “attachment” is at the root of the problem. As we learn to let go of the things to which we are attached (including such base cravings as thirst, hunger and sexual desire), we will be free of the suffering we experience in this life.
In addition to this, many Buddhists also blame “karma” for any bad luck or difficult situation they may experience in their lives. As an example, a Buddhist might believe he or she is short as the result of making fun of short people in a prior existence.
So how do we fix it according to Buddhism?
By following the eightfold path and achieving nirvana.
It is the self work of the buddhist to practice the eightfold path and achieve nirvana.
The eightfold path can be broken down into three parts:
Wisdom
Ethics
Concentration
Lets take a look at what relates to wisdom:
Right View:
The buddhist understands this as perspective, vision, or understanding about how the real world works. This includes the reality of karma and suffering.
Right Intention:
This is concerned with one’s resolve, aspirations, or will. It is the need for one to rid themselves of any desire to do anything harmful or immoral.
Related to Ethics:
Right Speech:
This is concerned about one’s speech in which it serves as a reminder to choose one’s words carefully. It prohibits lying, speaking abusively, and profane/harsh language.
Right Action:
This is concerned with ones actions towards themselves and others. A person must be morally upright and not do anything to harm or corrupt others.
Right Livelyhood:
This one prohibits a person from being employed in an occupation which would harm any living being whether directly or indirectly.
Related to Concentration.
Right Effort:
This serves to remind one to continually rid themselves of all thoughts, words, or actions that would be harmful to themselves or others.
Right Mindfulness:
Buddhists are called to stay alert mentally; remaining constantly on guard to those influences in their world affecting their body and mind. This aspect of the Path calls the believer to be ever mindful and deliberate about saying and doing what is morally right.
Right Concentration:
Finally, the Path calls the Buddhist to engage in the practice of proper concentration, accomplished through meditation, in order to enter into what is known as “jhana” (a state of consciousness that allows the believer to develop wisdom and insight into the true nature of the world around them).
The goal of the Eight Fold Path is to understand the nature of life, better comprehend the Four Noble Truths, and to eventually extinguish our “self” and our cravings (good or bad) so we can ultimately achieve “nirvana” (the state of nothingness, non-consciousness or “bliss”). The Eightfold Path is sometimes called the “Middle Way” since it is neither extreme asceticism nor a life of indulgence. But in all of these elements of the Eight Fold Path, it is clear the individual believer is charged with responsibility for his or her own spiritual growth or development.
I want to clarify something.
When I say that buddhist do not believe in any god, I should make it known that they believe in deities and such but not a personal god or a supreme creator.
According to Wikipedia (which is not a good source):
Buddhist teachings state that there are divine beings called devas (sometimes translated as 'gods') and other Buddhist deities, heavens, and rebirths in its doctrine of saṃsāra, or cyclical rebirth. Buddhism teaches that none of these gods is a creator or an eternal being, though they can live very long lives.
According to History Channel:
Followers of Buddhism don't acknowledge a supreme god or deity. They instead focus on achieving enlightenment—a state of inner peace and wisdom. When followers reach this spiritual echelon, they're said to have experienced nirvana. The religion's founder, Buddha, is considered an extraordinary being, but not a god.
According to National Geographic:
Siddhartha Gautama was the first person to reach this state of enlightenment and is still known today as the Buddha. Buddhists do not believe in any kind of deity or god, although there are supernatural figures who can help or hinder people on the path toward enlightenment.
How did Siddhartha Gautama know he was the first person to ever reach enlightenment?
In my opinion:
Who is the god of buddhism?
Self.
Buddha’s thoughts on mental illness:
The Buddha attributed mental illness to the arising of mental defilements (Kleshas) which are ultimately based on the unwholesome roots (three poisons) of greed, hatred and confusion.
New Dictionary of Theology Buddhism and Christianity
The Western church has spawned self-help workshops, seminars on self-improvement and success, and a focus on happiness and wealth, which confuse the message of the gospel to many Asians who see little difference between the affluence of the Western church and their own detachment from suffering. If Christians want to share the good news of Jesus Christ, they must enter into what he did, not into suffering for the sake of suffering, but into suffering for the sake of righteousness and truth, and for the sake of others. Jesus stood up for the oppressed, for the social outcasts, and was consequently rejected himself. What Jesus did—dying on the cross, suffering for others—is unique, but Christian materialism and self-centredness often mask his uniqueness.
New Dictionary of Theology Buddhism and Christianity
When Jesus Christ is shared with Buddhists, his sacrifice as well as his resurrection must be emphasized and contrasted with the Buddhist teachings on detachment and emptiness. Others must see that Christians are willing to suffer for others, just as Jesus suffered for others. Such a testimony to cultural and Western Buddhists would be unique and powerful.
Does anyone know what is a buddsavatta?
A person who is able to reach nirvana but delays doing so out of compassion in order to save suffering beings.
What is karma?
Karma is the cause and effect of certain actions and decisions. Consequences whether they are positive or negative.
Under a karmic worldview, one’s suffering is considered a justice as a result of bad deeds in a prior life.
If the suffering of a person is what they deserve for their deeds, why then should someone help them?
To help such a one in the karmic worldview would be to stand in the way of karmic justice.
The Buddha himself, when approached for help, told his followers that suffering was a brute fact of life and that the only hope was to not to solve external problems, but to rid oneself of all want (and thus alleviate the experience of suffering in one’s own mind).
The result is that karma is supposed to demotivate one to help others.
A buddhist may not tell you this but in more ways than one their worldview treats suffering as a karmic justice taking effect on one’s life. So if you are suffering, it must be karma.
How do I fix my suffering? According to Buddha, you must alleviate yourself of all want and desire and that will fix all your suffering.
This is contrary to the what Jesus said in Matthew 25:40
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. 16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.
As Christians, we are called to love and support one another, even our enemies!!
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
It must be in our heart as God’s children to love others and do good to them. Regardless if they purposefully use us and take advantage of us.
So what are some of the questions we can ask a Buddhist regarding their beliefs and show them what the Bible teaches?
If our present suffering is the result of bad karma from a prior life, what is the real present remedy for suffering in this life?
Can all suffering be alleviated in this life through our efforts with the Eight Fold Path? Why engage in any effort related to the Eight Fold Path, if the only true benefits are to be realized in the next life?
Remember that buddhists believe that they reincarnate based on karma and whether they have achieved nirvana.
Who is the Karma Judge?
If, as Buddhism teaches, there is no personal God interacting with His creation, who determines whether or not a person has done something to merit either “good” or “bad” Karma? If this decision is made at the end of one’s life, who is actually making the decision? How can an impersonal force “decide” anything? Who is the final judge of Karma, and mustn’t this judge by necessity be a personal being (capable of making a decision)?
If achieving “nirvana” means that we will be liberated from the illusion of consciousness, how then will we know (be conscious of) our achieving this “nirvana”? How can we be “conscious” of this, if “consciousness” will no longer exist?
Our existence outside the material, physical world, presumes a conscious existence in which we can “realize” or enlightened condition. How can we be conscious of this if consciousness will no longer exist?
If there is no transcendent “self” or “soul”, how do we transcend this life in order for reincarnation to be possible?
If reincarnation is true, it makes sense something of our true identity would move from one life to the next. What is this “something” if not a soul? Who (or what) moves on from this life to the next? Most buddhists will say that your consciousness will move on, but wouldn’t you then have some consciousness of your past life and lessons learned?
If all of us are re-incarnations of prior human beings, how do we account for the growing population? Where do “new” human beings come from?
Reincarnation implies all of us were here before, in a prior life. But if humans can only be reincarnated from prior humans, how is it the global population is growing? If humans can be reincarnated from other animals, does this mean the total animal population on earth has always been constant?
If “buddhas” and “boddisatvas” exist to help others in achieving “nirvana” what is the true value of “self-effort”?
If, as a Buddhist, I rely on the help of a “buddha” or “boddisatva” how can my assisted work be accredited to me as Karma (or even as true obedience to the Eight Fold Path)? Doesn’t assistance negate the self-effort required to establish Karma in the first place?
If “buddha-hood” is actually achievable in this life, how are we to know we are talking to a true “buddha” or “boddisatva”?
If there are those in our midst who have actually achieved this level of enlightenment, how are we to identify them? Why should we trust their own proclamations of “buddha-hood”? How will we recognize them or even distinguish them from non-Buddhist people who display all the attributes consistent with “buddha-hood”?
If a person’s present suffering is the result of bad karma from a prior life, why should we try to do anything to change their present condition? Aren’t they simply getting what they deserve?
Biblical responses:
How do we then answer or address the issues with buddhist teaching with what the bible teaches?
The Bible teaches that God is Almighty and a personal God.
1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
18 For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, He created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else.
24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25 Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; 26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; 27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: 28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. 29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. 30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
We believe that God has created us body, soul, and spirit.
7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 The burden of the word of the Lord for Israel, saith the Lord, Which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, And formeth the spirit of man within him.
Buddhism teaches that the goal of good living is all about personal reward found in enlightenment. As Christians we believe that goal is to honor God and show His glory to others.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, 12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Buddhism believes that suffering is the result of all desire (and attachment) which may the result of ‘bad karma’. We believe that suffering is a result of sin and man’s intentional rebellion against God.
36 If they sin against thee, (for there is no man which sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them over before their enemies, and they carry them away captives unto a land far off or near;
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: And my sin is ever before me.
34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
11 Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: For the reward of his hands shall be given him.
4 An high look, and a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
Buddhism teaches that we should eliminate all suffering. As Christians we want sin to be eliminated but still see the positive value in suffering; It instructs us, it disciplines us, and we can still find joy in suffering.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
7 Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith: 8 For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;
Buddhism teaches that you cease to exist after death. We believe that there is life after death and judgment.
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Buddhism teaches that we can achieve perfection and reach nirvana. We believe that there are no works we can do to be perfect in this life.
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Buddhist believe we can escape the suffering of this world and the limits of our material existence by observing and practicing a set of practices. We believe and know that the only ‘escape’ is only salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
There is an interesting pattern you can look at online in regards to suicide rates in countries that are predominately buddhist and communist. I find it interesting since they either have no belief in god as Communist countries are mostly atheist and buddhism relies solely on works to achieve enlightenment in which one will ultimately be destroyed to never exist. If that is the ultimate goal, what is the point of striving to live anyway?
This is a sad place for a person to find themselves. We must reach them with the gospel.