the truth about buddhism

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


Life is Suffering



3. The Truth of the

Cessation of Dukkha-


4. The Truth of the Path of

Liberation from Dukkha-


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


Life is Suffering



3. The Truth of the






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


Life is Suffering



3. The Truth of the






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


Life is Suffering



3. The Truth of the






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


Life is Suffering



3. The Truth of the






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



3. Perfect speech

4. Perfect action


6. Perfect effort




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



3. Perfect speech

4. Perfect action


6. Perfect effort




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



3. Perfect speech

4. Perfect action


6. Perfect effort




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



3. Perfect speech

4. Perfect action


6. Perfect effort





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



3. Perfect speech

4. Perfect action


6. Perfect effort




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



3. Perfect speech

4. Perfect action


6. Perfect effort





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



3. Perfect speech

4. Perfect action


6. Perfect effort




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



3. Perfect speech

4. Perfect action


6. Perfect effort




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





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





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





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





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


Do not believe in God




Buddha’s


by knowing oneself


Good luck with that!

Salvation belongs to the LORD!

-Psalm 3:8

Buddhists Basics






Buddha’s


by knowing oneself


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






Buddha’s


by knowing oneself


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






Buddha’s


by knowing oneself


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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