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the Truth about
Buddhism
Buddhism is a philosophy based on the teachings of Gautama Buddha.
Tradition BeliefsSpiritual Practices
Buddha, “the awakened one”, lived & taught in India around the 6th-4th
centuries B.C.E.
“I have taught one thing and one thing
only, dukkha and the cessation of
dukkha.”- The Buddha
Human Suffering
Anxiety Stress Disappointment
1. The Truth of Dukkha-
Life is Suffering
2. The Truth of the Origin of Dukkha-
Suffering has a cause.
3. The Truth of the Cessation of
Dukkha-
Suffering has an end.
4. The Truth of the Path of Liberation
from Dukkha-
8 fold path to end suffering.
There are 4 ‘Noble Truths’ of Buddhism:
1. Perfect view or understanding
2. Perfect thought or attitude
3. Perfect speech
4. Perfect action
5. Perfect livelihood
6. Perfect effort
7. Perfect mindfulness
8. Perfect Enlightenment
Buddhism teaches an 8 Fold Path to Overcoming Dukkha
The 8 fold path is often translated as “right” view, “right” thought, etc. , but according to one adherent it’s better
translated as perfect & complete because there is no concept of right &
wrong- just different & incomplete.
According to Buddhism, the main path to overcoming suffering is: Meditation
or the practice of mindfulness.
Meditation is the practice of
centering oneself & clearing one’s
mind.
meditation takes you into a
different reality or dimension.
Meditation involves breathing
practices, exercises, and/or
chanting.
Mindfulness is achieved through meditation.
The ultimate goal of Buddhism is Nirvana.
Unbound
Compared to a flame burning by
itself
Beyond human under-
standing
Full understanding can only come outside of time
& space.
Buddhists Basics
Meditation is important
No belief in God
Believe in humanity’s
ability to save itself
Humans can become little
Buddha’s
Right & Wrong is determined
by knowing oneself
Continual rebirth until Nirvana is achieved
300 million people follow the teachings of Buddha.
Buddhists seek human wisdom & faith doesn’t play a part.
Buddhists bow to statues of Buddha to show honor.
Buddhists believe in karma i.e. if you’re born handicapped, maybe it’s due to the actions in another life.
Buddhism 101:
Sounds good right???
WRONG!
Let’s compare Buddhism to an
ancient text that has stood the test of
time…
The Bible
Human Suffering
Anxiety Stress Disappointment
Yes it does!!!
Jesus healed many who suffered!
The news about Him spread throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them.
-Matthew 4:24
The followers of Jesus taught about
anxiety…
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
-Philippians 4:6
Jesus taught His followers that worry &
stress would never add 1 day to their lives…
So do not worry about
tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day
has enough trouble of its own.
-Matthew 6:34
The ancient book of Psalms taught about
disappointment…
To You (God) they (Israelites) cried out and were delivered;In You (God) they trusted and were not disappointed.
-Psalm 22:5
1. The Truth of Dukkha-
Life is Suffering
2. The Truth of the Origin of Dukkha-
Suffering has a cause.
3. The Truth of the
Cessation of Dukkha-
Suffering has an end.
4. The Truth of the Path of
Liberation from Dukkha-
8 fold path to end suffering.
Does the Bible have “noble” truths about life,
suffering, the end of suffering, & the path to
life?
Yes it does!
For His lovingkindness is great toward us,
And the truth of the LORD is everlasting.
Praise the LORD!
-Psalm 117:2
1. The Truth of Dukkha-
Life is Suffering
2. The Truth of the Origin of Dukkha-
Suffering has a cause.
3. The Truth of the
Cessation of Dukkha-
Suffering has an end.
4. The Truth of the Path of
Liberation from Dukkha-
8 fold path to end suffering.
Does the Bible say that life is suffering?
The Bible does not pretend that suffering does not exist, rather it
provides hope in the midst of suffering!
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
-Romans 8:18
1. The Truth of Dukkha-
Life is Suffering
2. The Truth of the Origin of Dukkha-
Suffering has a cause.
3. The Truth of the
Cessation of Dukkha-
Suffering has an end.
4. The Truth of the Path of
Liberation from Dukkha-
8 fold path to end suffering.
Does the Bible reveal the cause of suffering?
Yes it does! The root cause of suffering is man’s
disobedience to God…
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned—-Romans 5:12
1. The Truth of Dukkha-
Life is Suffering
2. The Truth of the Origin of Dukkha-
Suffering has a cause.
3. The Truth of the
Cessation of Dukkha-
Suffering has an end.
4. The Truth of the Path of
Liberation from Dukkha-
8 fold path to end suffering.
Does the Bible promise an end to suffering?
Yes it does!
He (God) will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.-Revelation 21:4
1. The Truth of Dukkha-
Life is Suffering
2. The Truth of the Origin of Dukkha-
Suffering has a cause.
3. The Truth of the
Cessation of Dukkha-
Suffering has an end.
4. The Truth of the Path of
Liberation from Dukkha-
8 fold path to end suffering.
Does the Bible provide a path to overcoming
suffering?
Yes- His name is Jesus!
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me (Jesus). Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I (Jesus) have overcome the world.
- John 16:33
Does the Bible teach perfection based on human
effort?
The Bible teaches that Jesus is perfect & His
followers are being made like Him.
And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation.
- Hebrews 5:9
1. Perfect view or understanding
2. Perfect thought or attitude
3. Perfect speech
4. Perfect action
5. Perfect livelihood
6. Perfect effort
7. Perfect mindfulness
8. Perfect Enlightenment
Buddhism teaches an 8 Fold Path to Overcoming Dukkha
Is it possible to have a perfect/complete view
of suffering?
Yes! But only if you have the right focus…
Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
- Hebrews 12:2
1. Perfect view or understanding
2. Perfect thought or attitude
3. Perfect speech
4. Perfect action
5. Perfect livelihood
6. Perfect effort
7. Perfect mindfulness
8. Perfect Enlightenment
Buddhism teaches an 8 Fold Path to Overcoming Dukkha
Can I have a perfect/complete
thought life & attitude?
Not without a new heart…
Out of the heart of men proceed the evil
thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders,
adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness,
as well as deceit, sensuality, envy,
slander, pride and foolish-ness.
- Matthew 7:21-22
1. Perfect view or understanding
2. Perfect thought or attitude
3. Perfect speech
4. Perfect action
5. Perfect livelihood
6. Perfect effort
7. Perfect mindfulness
8. Perfect Enlightenment
Buddhism teaches an 8 Fold Path to Overcoming Dukkha
Can I have perfect/complete
speech?
Once again, not without a new heart…
But no one can tame the
tongue; it is a restless
evil and full of deadly poison.
- James 1:26
1. Perfect view or understanding
2. Perfect thought or attitude
3. Perfect speech
4. Perfect action
5. Perfect livelihood
6. Perfect effort
7. Perfect mindfulness
8. Perfect Enlightenment
Buddhism teaches an 8 Fold Path to Overcoming Dukkha
Can I have a perfect/complete
actions?
Not if you don’t believe in God!
The fool has said in his heart, “There is no
God.”They are corrupt, they
have committed abominable deeds;There is no one who
does good.
- Psalm 14:1
1. Perfect view or understanding
2. Perfect thought or attitude
3. Perfect speech
4. Perfect action
5. Perfect livelihood
6. Perfect effort
7. Perfect mindfulness
8. Perfect Enlightenment
Buddhism teaches an 8 Fold Path to Overcoming Dukkha
Can I be completely satisfied?
Not if you reject Jesus!
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes
to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never
thirst.”-John 6:35
1. Perfect view or understanding
2. Perfect thought or attitude
3. Perfect speech
4. Perfect action
5. Perfect livelihood
6. Perfect effort
7. Perfect mindfulness
8. Perfect Enlightenment
Buddhism teaches an 8 Fold Path to Overcoming Dukkha
Can I have a perfect/complete
efforts?
No! Our deeds will never make us perfect…
God saved us, not on the basis
of deeds which we have done in
righteousness, but according to His
mercy, by the washing of regeneration and
renewing by the Holy Spirit.
Timothy 3:5
1. Perfect view or understanding
2. Perfect thought or attitude
3. Perfect speech
4. Perfect action
5. Perfect livelihood
6. Perfect effort
7. Perfect mindfulness
8. Perfect Enlightenment
Buddhism teaches an 8 Fold Path to Overcoming Dukkha
Can my meditation be perfect?
Not if you don’t believe in God or His Word!
I have more insight than all my teachers,For Your
testimonies are my meditation.
Psalm 119:99
1. Perfect view or understanding
2. Perfect thought or attitude
3. Perfect speech
4. Perfect action
5. Perfect livelihood
6. Perfect effort
7. Perfect mindfulness
8. Perfect Enlightenment
Buddhism teaches an 8 Fold Path to Overcoming Dukkha
Can I have perfect/complete
wisdom?
Not if you want wisdom outside of following God’s
laws because that’s how sin came into our world!
When the woman saw that the tree was good for
food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and
that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she
took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her
husband with her, and he ate.
Genesis 3:6
And you can’t have perfect wisdom without Jesus!
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you
a spirit of wisdomand of revelation
in the knowledge of Him.
Ephesians 1:17
Because man’s wisdom makes a person look like a fool before the God of the
Universe!
For the wisdom of this world is
foolishness before God. For it is written, “He is THE ONE WHO CATCHES THE WISE IN THEIR CRAFTINESS.”1 Corinthians 3:19
Meditation is the practice of
centering oneself & clearing one’s
mind.
Meditation takes you into a
different reality or dimension.
Meditation involves breathing
practices, exercises, and/or
chanting.
Does the Bible teach about meditation?
Yes! But, meditation is prayer to God-either in your heart, via spoken
words, or singing to God!
Let the words of my mouth and the
meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14
And, truly powerful meditation does NOT involve emptying your
mind…
The effective(energetic) prayer of a righteous man
can accomplish much.
James 5:16
Only one person ever emptied Himself…
(Christ) emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made
in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance
as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming
obedient to the point of death, even death on a
cross.Philippians 2:7-8
And He is the only One able to pass into another
dimension!
Therefore, since we have a great high
priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God,
let us hold fast our confession.
-Hebrews 4:14
300 million people follow the teachings of Buddha.
Buddhists seek human wisdom & faith doesn’t play a part.
Buddhists bow to statues of Buddha to show honor.
Buddhists believe in karma i.e. if you’re born handicapped, maybe it’s due to the actions in another life.
What does the Bible say about making statues of
men?
Don’t make them!!!
“You shall not make for yourselves idols, nor shall you set up for yourselves
an image or a sacred pillar, nor shall you place a
figured stone in your land to bow down to it; for I am
the LORD your God.”
- Leviticus 26:1
300 million people follow the teachings of Buddha.
Buddhists seek human wisdom & faith doesn’t play a part.
Buddhists bow to statues of Buddha to show honor.
Buddhists believe in karma i.e. if you’re born handicapped, maybe it’s due to the actions in another life.
What does the Bible say about Karma?
Nothing! Karma originated in ancient India.
But the Bible does teach that you reap what you
sow…
Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful
nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live
to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life
from the Spirit.
-Galatians 6:8
300 million people follow the teachings of Buddha.
Buddhists seek human wisdom & faith doesn’t play a part.
Buddhists bow to statues of Buddha to show honor.
Buddhists believe in karma i.e. if you’re born handicapped, maybe it’s due to the actions in another life.
What does the Bible say about faith?
FAITH in what’s unseen is more important that faith
in what’s seen!
Then Jesus told him, “You believe because
you have seen me. Blessed are those
who believe without seeing me.”
-John 20:29
300 million people follow the teachings of Buddha.
Buddhists seek human wisdom & faith doesn’t play a part.
Buddhists bow to statues of Buddha to show honor.
Buddhists believe in karma i.e. if you’re born handicapped, maybe it’s due to the actions in another life.
What does the Bible say about those who don’t
follow Jesus Christ?
They are in darkness!
Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows
Me will not walk in the darkness, but
will have the Light of life.”
-John 8:12
Buddhists Basics
Meditation is important
Do not believe in God
Believe in humanity’s
ability to save itself
Humans can become little
Buddha’s
Right & Wrong is determined
by knowing oneself
Continual rebirth until Nirvana is achieved
Good luck with that!
Salvation belongs to the LORD!
-Psalm 3:8
Buddhists Basics
Meditation is important
Do not believe in God
Believe in humanity’s
ability to save itself
Humans can become little
Buddha’s
Right & Wrong is determined
by knowing oneself
Continual rebirth until Nirvana is achieved
What does the Bible say about right &
wrong?
God gave His creation a moral code to live by…
God gave His creation a moral code to live by…
And there are consequences for rejecting
His moral code…
For if God did not spare angels when
they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to
pits of darkness, reserved for
judgment…-2 Peter 2:4
Buddhists Basics
Meditation is important
Do not believe in God
Believe in humanity’s
ability to save itself
Humans can become little
Buddha’s
Right & Wrong is determined
by knowing oneself
Continual rebirth until Nirvana is achieved
What does the Bible say about
reincarnation?
It’s a lie!
And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment.
Hebrews 9:27
Buddhists Basics
Meditation is important
Do not believe in God
Believe in humanity’s
ability to save itself
Humans can become little
Buddha’s
Right & Wrong is determined
by knowing oneself
Continual rebirth until Nirvana is achieved
Does the Bible teach that Nirvana is the
ultimate goal?
Ummm NO, but it does teach about…
Heaven- a literal place for the redeemed & it will
“blow” your mind!
Streets of gold Precious stones A River of Life The Tree of Life Healing Foods No curse of sin The Throne of God The Perfect, Lamb of God No need for the sun No death No crying No mourning No pain-Revelation 21 & 22
So how can you get to Heaven?
It’s surprisingly simple, but rejected by many…
If you confess with yourmouth Jesus as Lord,
and believe in your heart that God
raised Him from the dead, you will be
saved.
Romans 10:9
The Bible says that today is the day of salvation…
The Bible says that today is the day of salvation…
Prayer of Salvation
Heavenly Father,
I renounce every false teachingoutside of Your Word. I believe thatJesus is Your Son & God in the flesh.I believe that Jesus is the only wayto You. I know that I am a sinner,and my good works will never makeme righteous. Clothe me in therighteousness of Jesus Christ by Hisshed blood on the Cross. Thank youfor filling me with the Holy Spiritwho will lead me and guide me intoall truth.
In Jesus’ nameAmen
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