Download How did Buddhism start? What do they believe? How to share to a

How did Buddhism start?
What do they believe?
How to share to a Buddhist?
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Gautama Siddharta, (563 – 483? BC) the Buddha, was raised in
a rich and very influential family, never to see the world’s
sufferings, until he was 19, when he left his home and saw a
decrepit old man, a corpse, a diseased man and a beggar. He
then left home for years or months, stayed in caves, etc,
mutilating himself in search for the answer for suffering.
Finally he believed he found enlightenment one day while
meditating under a tree, then he returned to his home and
began to teach people what he believed he found.
* Buddhism is a branch of Hinduism
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,
The 4 Noble Truths
h
The Eight-fold path
a
The impermanence and
ultimate nonexistence of all
kharma (things, events)
e
Need for enlightenment (liberation through
awareness) in one form or another.
*
Their different schools are the Theravada, the
Mahayana and the Vajrayana. (Different
countries use different teachings)
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(
All life involves suffering.
s
Suffering is caused by desire.
(Selfish craving)
)
Desire can be overcome.
e
The means to overcome desire is
through the eight-fold path.
4
ˆ
Right vision (knowledge or views)
The right view is John 14:6 and Acts 4:12
s
Right conceptions (aspirations)
James 4:1-3 and 1 Cor 10:31
1
Right speech
Matt 12:36
1
Right behavior (conduct)
John 14:21 and James 3:17
a
Right livelihood (Work)
Matt 6:31,33 and 2Tim 2:15
Right effort
Heb 12:1-2
Right concentration (mindfulness)
Rom 8:7 and Phil 2:5
Right one-pointed thought (meditation)
Col 3:1-4
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s
They are concerned with suffering, and sometimes deny
it. Jesus faced the reality of suffering and overcame it by
solving the problem of sin (the origin of suffering). Now
those who trust Christ have a future life without
suffering. 2 Cor 4:18 We fix our eyes not on what is
seen (suffering), but what is unseen (eternal life free of
suffering). For what is seen (suffering) is temporary, but
what is unseen (future good life with Christ) is eternal.
(Rev 21:4 is a helpful verse; suffering will pass away)
Buddhists try to convince themselves that they have no
personal significance. The Bible teaches otherwise in that
we are made in God’s image and that Jesus sacrificed
His own life to offer eternal future of good life for those
who trust Him (Rom5:8)
L
u
s
Kharma – you receive what you deserve. Cause and
effect. No mercy. Fortunately God is a personal God,
who can forgive us!
They constantly strive to earn merit though good
works. Eph 2:8+9 For by grace you are saved through
faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God,
not of works, lest anyone should boast.
They seek to root out desire, but they cultivate desire
for self-control, a meritorious life and nirvana. So they
desire not to desire.
Ð
Don’t use terms such as “new birth,” “rebirth,”
“regeneration,” or “born again.” Rather say “endless
freedom from suffering, guilt and sin,” “new power
for living a holy life,” “promise of eternal life without
suffering,” or “gift of unlimited merit.”
d
Show the uniqueness of Jesus Christ.
e
Share your testimony, by concentrating on the
emotional and physical result and your peace for the
future painless heaven.
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Buddha claimed to be mortal trying to find a solution
to suffering
o
He did not claim uniqueness in his teachings and
‘wisdom’.
L
Buddha always said, “Don’t take what I’m saying (on
my own authority), just try to analyze as far as
possible and see whether I’m saying makes sense or
not. If it doesn’t make sense, discard it, if it does
make sense, then pick it up.” (Written in the Pali
Canyon, their most authoritative scriptures)
s
Buddhists believe that an individual’s desire is evil,
but that they must each (individually) desire to reach
‘Nirvana’ (enlightenment).
Catch-22 situation
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