Buddhism is a spin-off of Hinduism. This next article in the series covering World Religions is on Buddhism. It’s considered the 4th largest religion mostly practiced in China, Taiwan, Japan, and Southeast Asia. It’s another form of Paganism and it’s amazing how Satan’s influence in all pagan religions is reflected in their rituals.
Hinduism Vs Buddhism
Here’s a quick video that compares the two paganistic religions.
The History of Buddhism
Buddhism’s religious purpose is to reach a state of inner peace and tranquility called nirvana. “Buddha” means “one who is awake” or “enlightened”. It was founded by the followers of Siddhartha Gautama, aka “the Buddha” in the 5th Century BC, in present-day Nepal. He believed that all suffering ceases when one reaches the state of nirvana.
After his death, his followers passed on his teachings orally until they were transcribed circa the first century BC.
Similar to Hinduism, Buddhists believe in the wheel of rebirth or reincarnation. They also accepted the concept of karma — the law of cause and effect. Basically, it’s the “reap what you sow” philosophy.
Nirvana can be achieved by using the methods of the Four Noble Truths:
- Suffering exists – “Dukkha” – from birth to death, we are constantly dealing with mental and physical suffering, stress, and pain.
- The Cause of Suffering – “Samudaya” – What is the origin of suffering? — Craving, karma, driven by hatred, greed, and delusion. We desire suffering even though it’s painful. This reminds me of partying and drinking in my younger, wild days. Even though I knew the hangover the next day would be painful, I still partied. My Testimony.
- The Cessation of Suffering – “Nirodha” – There is an end to suffering by replacing bad actions with wisdom and compassion, aka “good works”. Doing good works may make you feel better, but it is short-lived.
- The Nobel Eightfold Path – “Magga” – The middle place between self-indulgence and self-mortification. The 8 practices that can relieve suffering.
- The Wheel of Dharma: the Right…
- View — Our actions have consequences (karma), death is not the end and there are consequences after death. Samsara — the cycle of rebirth — reincarnation.
- Resolve — Give up the world and live your life by following this path. Love others, abstain from sex.
- Speech — Don’t lie, don’t gossip, or be rude.
- Conduct — No material desires, don’t steal or kill.
- Livelihood — Possess only what is needed to sustain life.
- Effort — Forsee your mental state and stop any negative thoughts, ill will to others. Stop these thoughts before they arise.
- Mindfulness — Focus on what you are thinking.
- Concentration — A powerful state of meditation.
- The Wheel of Dharma: the Right…
Video: What is Buddhism?
It’s Just a Buddha Statue
They’re everywhere!
The one that really gets me is the third one of the guy presenting a webinar with the Buddha statue prominently in the background. Gratefully, I could minimize his image so I didn’t have to look at it.
Experiencing Pagan Buddhism Firsthand
I interviewed my former pastor, Chuck Foreman, of First Christian Church of Phoenix, who spoke about his experience of serving for 20 years as a missionary in Taiwan.
Hungry Ghost Festival vs Day of the Dead
How can death rituals be so similar half a world away? Simple. Satan‘s demons are everywhere. Satan himself isn’t omnipresent — being everywhere — like God. Nevertheless, he sends his evil spirits, demons, and “familiar spirits” all over the earth. Anyone who opens their lives to them, rather than Jesus, is affected.
The Ancient Origins of the Day of the Dead
Worship the Creator Rather than the Created
Ultimately, the Bible is the only religious text that calls for worshiping the Creator God. Every other religion says that the gods created human beings to work and serve the gods. Only Christianity starts with a God who works.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1: 1-5 NLT
God’s Word speaks of idolatry and paganism a lot…
And God spoke all these words:
2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
3 “You shall have no other gods before me.
4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
Exodus 20: 1-6 NLT
Do not make idols or set up an image or a sacred stone for yourselves, and do not place a carved stone in your land to bow down before it. I am the Lord your God.
Leviticus 26:1 NLT
From one pagan religion to another.
Pope Francis visited Mongolia 1-4 September [2023]. Apparently two leading Buddhist requested on social media the Pope be welcomed warmly, as “it is the same faith”. Much of evangelicalism uses Buddhist terms for God (Burhan – Mongolians use this to refer to Buddha), heaven (divaarjin – meaning nirvana) and much else. Buddhist confusion is understandable. Evangelicals participated in the Pope’s interfaith meeting. Other evangelicals refuse to use Buddhist terminology, seeing it as ‘blasphemous” and have their own Bible. (Related: The Truth about Catholicism)
Christianity Today wrote an article on Mongolian evangelicalism, quoting Mongolians who said: “The number of Christians has plateaued and even decreased”. It shared their concerns about syncretism which “is deeply ingrained in Mongolian culture […] Some see Jesus as one more god to add to the list—as long as he is useful. And if God doesn’t answer a prayer, maybe a Buddhist lama or a shaman will provide better help.” PRAY
World Prayer News
Jesus said…
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
John 14:6, 16:33 NLT
Peter wrote…
“Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.”
1 Peter 3:18 NLT
Hope for the Buddhists
If you spend enough time living in a culture that believes in the occult, you eventually start to believe in it, too. If you’re a Christian, that’s where getting rooted in the Word of God comes in. Even though you are exposed to evil, demons, and paganism, because you know the truth, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, you know what is fake, false, and wicked. That’s how Christian missionaries can go and live for years in pagan nations and not fall for the evil practices. These are stories and prayer requests from several missionary ministries.
- Cambodia: Buddhism is the official religion of Cambodia, practiced by more than 95 percent of the population with an estimated 4,392 monastery temples throughout the country. Please pray for thousands of young boys who serve in the monasteries, training as Buddhist monks.
- Sri Lanka: Pray with your brother Suranjith, forced to choose between his faith and putting a roof over his family’s head. Construction on their new home was halted because he refused to keep a Buddhist statue in his yard.
- Southeast Asia: Buddhism is the primary religion in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam. Please pray for over 250 million Buddhists in these countries who are in search of enlightenment. Please pray they will hear the Gospel and trust in Jesus, the Light of the World.
- Sri Lanka: Many government schools are Buddhist schools. They teach Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism, but don’t give Christianity the same attention. Open Doors partners support volunteer teachers to teach minority Christian students in rural schools. Pray for strength to keep serving despite opposition.
- Bhutan: Converts to Christianity endure threats and pressures from local community leaders and Buddhist religious leaders. Christians have lost jobs or have been unable to find employment because of their faith. Ask the Lord to provide for them.
- Sri Lanka: “I am a Buddhist. I happened to listen to your radio program, and my heart was greatly captivated to the extent that I had to call and request for the book” [the Bible]. These are the words of an interested listener to the radio ministry in Sri Lanka. Please pray they will learn more about Jesus and be saved.
- Laos: Give thanks for a young couple from the Hmong people group (Laos) who recently came to faith in Christ. They have burnt their spirit charms and have requested to be baptized in the river. Please pray for courage and strength as they will face opposition from their community.
- Sri Lanka: Pastor Rasika Premanjani was converted to Christ from a background that included Buddhism and witchcraft. Pray for her as she seeks to reach out to others from a similar background. She has seen many lives healed and transformed through her faithful witness.
- Southeast Asia is home to many of the world’s Buddhist population. Today prayer wheels will spin, prayer flags will flutter in the wind, and devotion will be offered to lifeless images. Pray that the gospel will penetrate these lands and many will come to know the Living God.
A Buddhist Family Converts to Christianity
In conclusion, John wrote…
“This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”
1 John 1:5-9 NLT
Are you seeking light amidst spiritual darkness?
A few weeks ago, a pastor friend and I were walking and praying around our neighborhood when we came to the Japanese Garden. It’s a beautiful oasis in the center of Downtown Phoenix. This picture is from its entrance. As we walked by it, my friend said, “There’s something peaceful about order.”
I replied, “Yes, there is, and sitting in a peaceful place — meditating — is fine until a person starts to empty their mind and seek nirvana.”
Then I prayed for the salvation of the garden staff and visitors who follow Buddhism.
Like Pastor Chuck said, we, as Christians should meditate on the Word of God.
Try this: Go to Psalm 119 in Bible App or click here. The NLT version has the recording. Get comfortable, close your eyes, and listen to this beautiful praise song about the Word of God. It was written by Ezra, a Jewish priest who returned from exile in Babylon and helped restart worship in rebuilt Jerusalem.
Yes, ORDER is the opposite of CHAOS. Needless to say, we live in a chaotic world. Instead of seeking unexisting nirvana, you can have a real-life relationship with the Living God.
If you’re not sure if you’re saved or not, if you truly want to be born again and have the assurance of salvation, receive the Holy Spirit, feel His Shalom — a peace that surpasses all understanding, and get a 1-way, non-stop ticket to Heaven after you die, or that you won’t be left behind at the Rapture, which can happen at any moment, this is what you have to do…
Believe. Repent. Be Baptized. Receive the Holy Spirit.
- Believe — have Faith — that Jesus is the Christ and He died taking your sins away forever and that He rose from the dead 3 days later.
- Repent of your sins — stop sinning! Do a complete 180-degree turn in your life and surrender your life to Him. When you ask Jesus to forgive you He will. ALL your sins will be wiped clean — past, present, and future! And All means ALL!
- Be Baptized by water baptism — show the world and yourself that you have died to your old life and are born again in Christ.
- Receive the gift of Holy Spirit in your heart.
