The churches of Christ Greet You (Romans
16:16)
"Jesus saith unto
him, I am the way, the truth, the life: no man cometh unto the Father,
but by me"
(John 14:6).
Throughout Taiwan
and Asia, millions of souls are being taught various forms of Buddhism
mixed with
Taoism and Confucianism. In their temples members often chant the name
of
one of their gods, Ahmitabha as an example. At times they chant this
god's name for more than two hours. This should remind us of those in
Ephesus who, for over two hours, "cried out, Great is Diana of the
Ephesians" (Acts 19:34).
In the past we have
studied with people who believe all religions come from God. Even
though different religions teach different and contradictory doctrines,
they believed they all come from God. Thus, they conclude that they can
pick and choose the best
of each and leave the rest alone - a kind of cafeteria-style religion. People of this persuasion have
been
heard to say, “Since all religions come from God, we should not
criticize
other religious groups.”
There are many
religions or philosophies that claim to be the guide for people in this
life. Buddhism makes this claim. It is hard to know exactly how many
Buddhists there are in this world. However, an educated guess reveals
about 600 million people who follow it to some degree. Buddhism
is one of the many eastern religions that fits into Paul's description
of
those who "Changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image
made
like to corruptible man.... Who changed the truth of God into a lie,
and
worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator" (Romans 1:23,
25).
Buddhism claims it
has evolved into different forms so that it can be relevant to the
different
cultures in which it exists. The religion is said to have been
reinterpreted
over the centuries so that it can remain relevant to each new
generation.
However, just as with other
eastern religions, Buddhism is very idolatrous in nature. There are a
number of
passages in the Bible that show the folly and sinfulness of idolatry
(Read
Psalm 115:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:2).
In some Buddhist
cities there are probably as many temples as there are gas stations in
a major
city in the United States. Though
there
are a number of different branches of Buddhism, the four noble truths
and
the eightfold path are at the heart of this teaching. The four noble
truths
are (1) Suffering exists. (2) Suffering arises from attachment to
desires.
(3) Suffering ceases when attachment to desire ceases. (4) Freedom from
suffering
is possible by practicing the eightfold path.
According to
Buddhism, the Eightfold Path is the way to end this suffering. It will
also enable the
follower to attain Nirvana. This eightfold path includes (1) Right view
or
understanding. (2) Right thought. (3) Right speech. (4) Right action.
(5)
Right livelihood. (6) Right effort. (7) Right mindfulness. (8) Right
contemplation
or concentration. Remember, the GOAL of the Eightfold Path is Nirvana.
The Bible teaches
that suffering exists. Sometimes we suffer because of the consequences
of sin (Luke 16:19-31; Hebrews 3:7-19). However, the Bible teaches that
some suffer
in spite of righteous living. Paul wrote, “All that live godly in
Christ
Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). True Christians
(1 Peter
4:12-16), the prophets and Job (James
5:10-11) are good examples are
some
who suffered for righteousness. The GOAL of righteous living is eternal
life in heaven (Matthew 5:10-12).
1. Nirvana.
What
is nirvana? According to Buddhism: In Sanskrit, nirvana literally
means,
"extinction, blowing out." "Nirvana is the ultimate goal of spiritual
practice
in Buddhism. It is the total, absolute and permanent cessation of
suffering.
It is the merging of the individual into being one with the universe."
Nirvana
means "never having to be reborn."
The goal of the
Christian is also to go to a place where there will be no suffering or
pain. The Bible calls this place heaven (Revelation 21:3-4). However, a
heavenly reward does not mean we cease to exist. Jesus said, "Marvel
not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the
graves shall hear his voice, 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" (John
5:28-29).
This passage also points out that the unrighteous are not reborn, but
will
be doomed to hell.
2. Karma.
Buddhism
teaches that happiness or suffering in this life is the result of our
deeds
(karma) in past lives, or past actions in our present lives. Karma is
"intentional action, that is, a deed done deliberately through body,
speech, or mind." The effects of karma may be evident either in
short-term or in the long-term. Karma can either manifest its effects
in this very life or in the next life or only after several lives.
Karma is the Buddhist explanation for unexplained or unexpected
suffering. According to the idea of karma in Buddhism, an individual
has free will, but he carries the baggage of deeds done in previous
lives.
What does the Bible
teach? The Bible teaches each individual is responsible for his own
life (Ezekiel 18:4, 20; Romans 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10). We do
not inherit the sins
of our ancestors, nor do we inherit sins from previous lives.
3. Reincarnation
or
Rebirth (Transmigration of Souls). The idea of reincarnation
permeates
our society. There have been a number of books written, television
shows,
and movies produced that promote this teaching. Many famous people in
history
believed they were someone else in another life.
According to
Buddhism, all creatures (including animals) have a soul, so it would be
cannibalism to kill and eat animals. Many who believe in reincarnation
are vegetarians.
It is amazing that
those who believe in reincarnation try to use the Bible to uphold their
doctrine. They try to use the examples of Job and Jeremiah in the Old
Testament (Job 1:20-21; Jeremiah 1:4-5). However, neither of these
passages is talking about reincarnation. Job also said: "When a few
years are come, then I shall go the way whence I shall not return" (Job
16:22).
In the New
Testament, they try to use passages that speak of Paul and Elijah
(Galatians 1:15-16; Matthew 11:14; Luke 1:17). Again, these passages do
not remotely suggest reincarnation.
In the case of Elijah, he did not even die (2 Kings 2:11). Also,
Elijah appears
as himself with Jesus on the mount of transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-5).
Reincarnation
teaches that we die over and over again. However, the Bible teaches:
"It is appointed unto men once to die" (Hebrews 9:27). This same verse
tells us that after we die, we wait for the judgment.
4. The Buddhist
View of God. As in Hinduism, the Buddhist view of God is that there
are many
gods, or no gods. One historian said:
"In
China...religions are viewed as inclusive, and a person may commonly be
a combination of Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucianist, with some other
elements thrown in as well. Chinese tend to look for a "god" that can
solve a specific problem at an immediate time, and to fill a particular
need. They visit a variety of temples and shrines
to give offerings. When the westerner inquires as to which idols or
images
in the temple are representative of which religion(s), it is most
likely
none of the Chinese in attendance knows." Buddhism is a religion that "offers the
chance
to be an atheist without having to dispense with religion." So in
Buddhism,
you can be a polytheist or an atheist. It does not affect the final
outcome
or goals of Buddhism.
The Psalmist
said, "The
fool hath said in his heart, There is no God" (Psalm 14:1).
The key to
defeating Buddhism
or any eastern religion is to first establish the truth of the Bible.
If
the Bible is true, then anything that contradicts the Bible must be
false. We can prove the truth of the Bible. Jesus said, "And ye shall
know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). He then
says, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth (John 17:17).
The Word of God is our source of truth (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
There are no
contradictions in the Bible. Here is a book written by about 40 writers
over a period of about 1600 years. Men who lived in different
locations, with various occupations wrote the books of the Bible in
different periods of time. In many cases, the writers did not know each
other. Yet, there are no contradictions in the
Bible. This did not happen by accident. Buddhism does not even try to
make
this kind of claim.
The scientific
facts found
in the Bible help to prove that the Bible is true. About 500 years ago,
Columbus
and Magellan proved the earth is round. However, the Bible told us the
earth
was round thousands of years ago. "It is he that sitteth upon the
circle
of the earth..." (Isaiah 40:22).
The Bible tells us
we are not able to count the stars. Jeremiah wrote: "As the host of
heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured..."
(Jeremiah 33:22). It was 1940 before astronomers finally came to this
same conclusion. Almighty God cannot only count the stars, He can call
them by name (Psalm 147:4).
Fulfilled
prophecies prove
the Bible is true. Every prophecy being fulfilled is another proof the
Bible
is true. Jesus fulfilled more than 300 prophecies concerning the
Messiah.
The Bible teaches
there is only one right way (John 14:6). We will be judged by the words
of Christ (John 12:48). There are only two choices in life - the
narrow way or the broad
way (Matthew 7:13-14). If we want to go to heaven, we have to obey the
will
of God (Matthew 7:21-23). The Bible is the proven guide for the lives
of
all people.
The Bible
emphasizes the
existence of God (Genesis 1:1; Daniel 2:28; Acts 17:23-29). The Bible
also
teaches there is only one true God (Isaiah 44:6). Buddhism teaches
there is
either no God or many gods - your choice! Buddhism contradicts the
Bible. The Bible is right, therefore Buddhism cannot be right!
The Bible teaches
it is
our guide in life and it reveals all truth (Psalm 119:105; John 14:26;
John
16:13; 2 Peter 1:3). Buddhism teaches the writings of Gautama and
one's feelings
are the guide in this life. But the Bible says: "There is a way which
seemeth
right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Proverbs
14:12).
The Bible proclaims
Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of God (Romans 1:4; John 20:30-31). The
Bible teaches that Jesus rose from the dead (1 Corinthians
15:3-4). Buddhism denies Jesus rose from the dead, and also denies
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
Since Buddhism contradicts these plain passages, Buddhism cannot be
true!
The Bible reveals
God's eternal plan to save mankind through the church (Ephesians
3:10-11; Matthew 16:18; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 5:23).
Buddhism denies this is the path of salvation. According to Buddhism, a
person is to follow the eightfold path that will lead to nirvana. Since
this contradicts the Bible, it cannot be right!
The Bible teaches
that our soul is eternal and we will be judged according to our works,
by the word
of God (Matthew 10:28; Romans 2:16; 2 Corinthians 5:10). The
difference between
humans and animals is humans have an eternal soul, animals do not. Yet
Buddhism
teaches all life, human and animal, is of the same value. Buddhism also
teaches reincarnation, which is a continual rebirth. These views are in
conflict
with the Bible. The Bible is true, therefore these doctrines of
Buddhism
are false.
Conclusion
True Christianity
is far
superior to any other religion in the world. It offers forgiveness of
sins
through our obedience to Christ (Hebrews 5:8-9). The only hope this
world
has is through Christ (Ephesians 2:12; John 14:6; 1 Thessalonians
1:9).
May God help each of us to use
every opportunity to preach the Gospel of Christ to those who practice
and follow Buddhism (or any other “ism”), and give them the opportunity
to believe and obey the Good News (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Romans
1:16).
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Go To: Believing A Lie