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FAITH
CATHEDRAL
DELIVERANCE
CENTRE
WELCOMES YOU
TO THE STUDY ON
BUDDHISM
REFLECTION
HOW
MUCH DO YOU
REMEMBER
HOW COULD
YOU FORGET?
PART
SEVEN
BELIEVE IT OR NOT!
ANATTA: The doctrine of
Anatta is that there is no
permanent self or soul.
Buddha held that belief in a
permanent soul is one of the
delusions held by man.
For him, this belief gives rise to
attachment to egoism, to
cravings for pleasure and fame
which in turn lead to suffering.
In order to draw people away
from this attachment to the self,
he boldly deny this existence.
CHILDREN: Most of their
religious education is
indoctrination. They are
conditioned from birth, thus
exposed to things Buddhist!
They may be included in most
activities.
CHRISTMAS: In the West,
monastery residents come from
Christian culture, so Christmas has
some meaning to Buddhists. The spirit
of the season- giving gifts, kindness,
love, peace to all mankind – is
something enjoyed and gives reason to
celebrate. Cards are sent and received
etc. This consideration is given
because of the belief that it is not hard
to find similarities in different religions.
CONVERTS: There is no restriction
to any one who desires to become
part of the group. There is need for
commitment to living by the
principles either by studying or ‘do it
your self’.
A monk or a nun can formally give
help in a ceremony as public
statement keeps one in line, should
one feel like ‘going outside the
precepts’.
CREATION: Although Buddha
discouraged speculation on the
origins of the universe there is a
theory of evolution found in their
scriptures . The Buddhists
conceive of an infinite number of
world systems coming into
existence and passing away
through startless and endless
time.
The
world at the beginning of
evolution was in chaos: dark
and covered in water - no
sun, moon, or star; no day or
night, no male or female.
After a long time the earth
began to appear on the
surface of the water.
DEATH: Everyone will pass away
eventually as a part in the natural
process of birth, old age and
death…not the end of life but the
end of the body…the spirit will still
remain…and attachment to a new
body and new life…thus led to be
reborn in one of the six realms…life
does not end but goes on in other
forms …don’t fear death, it will lead
to rebirth.
Death
is seen as an important time
– grief for those close to the deceased
and time of love and caring,
kindness and compassion.
Spiritually, a time to contemplate
ones morality, attachment to
material things. Being in the
presence of the corpse encourages
deep thought so deceased is kept in
the home so people can visit to pay
last respect and ask for forgiveness.
The
nurses and family members have to
wait 3-8 hours after breathing ceases
before touching the body for any
preparation after the death, since the
spirit will linger for sometime and can
be affected by what happens to the
corpse. The body must be treated
gentle and with respect… the priest
helps the spirit to continue the journey
calmly to higher states, and don’t get it
angry and confused so it be reborn into
the lower realm.
DO’S (WHEN VISITING A BUDDHIST TEMPLE)
Do:
 Bow your head and pay respect to the
temple and the Buddha statues .
 Take off your shoes in and around the
temple grounds.
 Cover yourself ladies.
 Keep your head below Buddha statues.
 Keep quiet: people are meditating .
 Familiarise self and others with the
rules.
DON’TS (WHEN VISITING A BUDDHIST TEMPLE)
Do Not:
 Point at nor touch (especially on
the head) Buddha statues,
Monks, Nuns, Elders (You will
go to hell)
 Wear shorts
 Display affection (just married
or not) you are at the temple so
pull yourself together.
FAITH
Much of the Buddhist teaching is
pointing to direct experience
where no faith is needed. The
Buddhist’s faith is primarily in
the enlightenment of the
Buddha, so until it is actually
realised, one can only have faith
that it is possible and follow the
teachings through that faith.
FAMILY
Refers to the grouping of people living
under the same roof… consist of a
married couple and their children and
sometimes one or more grandparents.
Ways family life can lead to happiness
and blessing are by showing respect
and support to mother and father,
loving one’s spouse and children,
develop generosity and a sense of
duty, selflessly help relatives.
FASTING
Buddhist monks fast completely
on the days of the new moon
and full moon each lunar month;
they also avoid eating any solid
food after noon, as a means of
purification. Others will fast as
a means of freeing the mind.
FOOD
There is no permitted and forbidden
foods in Buddhism. Some eat fish,
meat and egg, while some refrain
from eating garlic, onion, leek, as
they are considered to increase one’s
sexual desire and anger. Monks
were expected to eat everything that
was put in their begging bowl
without discrimination, including
meat or rotten food.
It
is generally better to eat red meat
because the animal killed is very
large and only one life had to be
taken to feed many people; with fish
usually many more lives are taken
to fill the same number of stomachs.
Many Buddhists choose to be
vegetarians as a result of the first
precept (Do no harm). They do not
kill animals nor eat meat or fish
which is bad for their karma.
FUNERAL
A simple ceremony where the
good deeds of the departed are
remembered, a lovingkindness meditation can be
done and a sharing of merits.
When
the person who has died
is a Buddha (enlightened one)
or an Arhant (saint) or an
especially great teacher, relics
are collected after the
cremation. These may be
placed in a stupa or pagoda
(burial mound) or in a Buddharupa (image of the Buddha).
GOD
There is no “God”
in Buddhism.
ASSESSMENT
Say if each statement is ‘True’ or ‘False’.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Anatta brags the existence of a
soul
Children of Buddhist parents are
not necessarily taught Buddhism
Buddhists will celebrate Christmas
because its one of their festivals
Buddhism embraces evolution
5.
6.
7.
8.
ASSESSMENT
Death for the Buddhist leads to
life everlasting
A family’s happiness & blessings
come from the respect & support
to mother & father
Fasting may be used as a means
for purification
Garlic, onion & leek are not eaten
because of the sexual connotation
attached
ASSESSMENT
9.
10.
Many Buddhists are vegetarians
because of their precept ‘do no
harm’
Buddhism has a personal God
HEALING
The Four Noble Truths have
been regarded as formula for
healing, for in them is the
recognition of the cause and
the path that treats the cause.
The
Buddha was also known as the
great physician being able to
diagnose and administer instruction
in a spiritual dimension which
would best bring about the
fundamental change and progress.
He was also said to have healing
abilities of supernatural magnitude.
Ho conferred on two others a
particular role regarding healing.
HEAVEN: According to Buddhism
there are thirty one planes or states
of existence in the universe,
including that of humans; that
beings are born into a particular
plane depending on their
accumulated khamma.
There
is no permanent heaven as
others teach.
HELL: This is one of the three
unfortunate or lower realms
of the six basic categories of
existence.
There is no permanent hell.
HUMAN LIFE: In
Buddhism people may be
reborn into human life over
and over either wealthy or
poor, beautiful or not so.
JESUS CHRIST: Buddhism
acknowledges that Jesus was
a great person but His gospel
teachings are ignored and a
more convenient Jesus is
accepted; one who smiles
serenely like the Buddha.
On
the contrary, there is a
sense in which Buddhism
explicitly rejects Jesus
Christ- ‘if no person exists
then no personal saviour
exists’.
KILLING/VIOLENCE:Buddhist
emphasis against warfare and
the stress on non violence and
non killing of living beings have
much to do with curving the war
like and aggressive tendency of
its converts. Instead of enmity
and hatred, Buddism preaches
compassion, love and sympathy
for all living creatures.
LAY PEOPLE: There are
several references in their
scripture to lay people
getting enlightened. The
challenge is the time and
energy available to work on
it.
MARRIAGE:
This is not
considered sacred so strictly
speaking, there is no Buddhist
marriage. A man and woman
make what is called a contract.
Monks are prohibited from being
marriage celebrants but they can
"bless" the couple by reciting the
Dharma (chanting) after the
secular ceremony.
From
the religious side, it
is an affirmation of the
couple’s commitment to
live in accordance with the
precepts and the refugesthus they live happily ever
after.
MIRACLES:
There is no reference
made to this. However, it may be
connoted that it is farfetched to the
Buddhist world based on this
extract: The story is told of a woman
carrying her dead child pleading
with the Buddha to bring it back to
life. The Buddha said bring to me a
mustard seed from any household
where no one had ever died and I
will fulfil your wish.
PRAYING: Buddhists don’t pray to a
Creator God, but they do have
devotional meditation practices which
could be compared to praying.
There are gods that may be appealed
to but, although they supposedly live
for a long time, they are still mortal
and are certainly not omnipotent.
Praying to the forces of goodness is a
part of the religion. Not for sorting it
out but to be a support in the effort.
PRECEPTS: These are:
 Kindness
and caring
 Generosity
 Responsibility in relationships,
(commitment and trustworthiness
specifically sexually are
encouraged)
 Gentle useful and wise speech
 Sobriety.
This is wrapped up
in the concept of setting birds free
from cages. The idea is that one
buys the bird (off someone who
purchased it with the buyer in mind)
and sets it free. Liberating a trapped
animal is good karma, much merit!
Buddhism is about purifying the
heart which involves personal
sacrifice, going against desires,
doing hard things.
 PURIFICATION:
REFUGES
These are:
 Wisdom (Buddha)
 Truth
(Dhamma)
 Morality (Sangha)
ASSESSMENT
Use one word to complete each
statement’.
1.
2.
3.
The ‘Four Noble Truths’ have been
regarded as -------- for healing
The Buddha was also known as the
great---------There are 31 plains or states of
existence in the ---------
4.
5.
6.
7.
Buddhism acknowledges that ---- was a great person
If no person exists, then no
personal------ exists
----- people will need time &
energy to be enlightened
----- is not considered sacred,
it’s a contract
8.
9.
10.
The gods appealed to are
mortals, not -----There are ----- concepts that
are observed as precepts
Buddhism is about ---- the
heart, which involves personal
sacrifice
SALVATION:
For Guatama,
this was to be attained by
following a rigorous code of
personal behaviour with the
great emphasis on personal
conduct and individual ethics.
Salvation is reaching Nirvana –
the blissful, spiritual state of
nothingness--- you become a
Buddha!
All men can live the moral life
leading to salvation, for it is through
what a Buddhist does. It is through
human works. Theravada believes
that there can be no divine salvation
on forgiveness for one’s Kharma.
Mahayana says that reciting or
hearing their text can expunge
negative Kharma.
SEX
: The third precept (on fidelity)
gives consideration for others and it
acknowledges the pain the second party
in a relationship feels when the partner
has a sexual affair.
Sex is neither good nor bad. The
importance is placed on when and with
whom it is performed.
There is nothing in the teaching about
same-sex relationships, but the principle
is the same!
SIN: There is no sin apart from
ignorance.
Buddha taught that any act that is
harmful to oneself or to another is
sin.
It makes no reference to a God
whose divine law could be violated.
What originates in the mind and is
acted out as deeds, is sin.
SOURCE OF ALL TRUTH:
The Buddha was open-minded
and tolerant but his later
followers, in attempt to regard
him as superman and
transcendental being, saw him
as omnipresent, infallible and
the authoritative source of all
truth.
WEALTH:
Buddha advocates the
abandonment of all
attachments to material
wealth knowing that the
desires for earthly things
can never be happily
satisfied.
WOMEN:
Buddha demonstrated a strong
suspicion of women and
denounce the sensual attraction
which women exercise on man.
He continually warned his
disciplines about the sinister
guile of women.
When
asked how men should
behave toward women he said
– not see them. If have to see
them? Not speak to them. If
have to speak to them. Keep
your thoughts tightly
controlled.
Women accepted in the
Sanga had numerous
restrictions. They were
subjected to the authority of
a monk in all circumstances.
If 100 years old, she must
reverence a monk. -
Rise
on meeting him, salute
with clasped hand and honour
him with rather respect
although he was received in
the order that day. If women
had not been received into the
order the doctrine would have
stayed for a 1000 years, but
since accepted, it will last 500.
He
distrusted women
and that only after delay
and misgivings he
admitted them into the
order. He declared that
they be subjugated to the
lowest level of the Sanga.
ASSESSMENT
Unscramble the following words:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
AAIONTSLV
AECIONRT
AELHTW
EMNOW
ACFIIINOPURT
ASSESSMENT
AARRIGEM
7. ACEILSMR
8. AYGPRIN
9. ANMUH EILF (2 words)
10.USESJSHCRIT (2 words)
6.
CONCLUSION OF THE WHOLE MATTER
Buddhism offers many wonderful
things but it does not offer
eternal life with a personal God
who has made us as we are,
physically and spiritually…
JUST FOR HIS OWN
PURPOSE!!!
Conclusion Of The Whole
Matter (Cont’d)
The author of Beyond Buddhism
states: “While visiting the
gorgeous shrines and elaborate
temples ... I could not help but
feel that something was lacking
in these holy places of
worship...The high ethical
morality, the symbol of
compassion and mercy...
Conclusion of the whole
matter (Cont’d)
Endeavour of human projects to
elevate humanity to the state of
divine purity...could never
satisfy the yearning of my
soul to know the one true
Creator...”
It
is said that the Buddha told
Christ to suffer to be
enlightened but Jesus told him
no. When Christ told the
Buddha to suffer to redeem His
(Jesus’) flock, the Buddha’s
response was that, it was too
much of a task!!
The
recording of St John speaks
clearly that God gave His Son so
that any, and everyone who
believes, may have eternal life,
through Him!!! (3:16)
Even The Buddhists!!!!!
ASSIGNMENT
Use your own method
and make a 5 minutes
presentation from any
aspect of the study on
Buddhism.
CHRISTIAN
LINK
1.
2.
3.
Use John 3:16 to refute
concepts from Buddhism
Hebrews 13:8 may be used to
combat concepts from
Buddhism. State which.
Genesis 1-2 may be used to
counter Buddhist concepts.
Discuss.
GROUP
DISCUSSION
Present the ‘plan
of salvation’ to
a Buddhist
THANKS FOR
YOUR
PARTICIPATION
It was my pleasure
serving you!!
All the presentations are
available on the church’s
website
www.deliverancecentre.org
REFERENCES
 Barrett,
D. (n.d.). Sect, cult and alternative
religions: A world survey and source book.
Great Britain
 Bell, G. (1996,1998). Healing in Buddhism:
A personal view.
 Burnette, D. (2007). The spirit of Buddhism:
A Christian perspective on Buddhism.
Kregel Publications
 Keene, M. (2003). New steps in religious
education for the Caribbean, Book 2.
Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes Ltd.
REFERENCES
 Yamamoto,
CONT’D
J. (n.d.) Beyond Buddhism: A
basic introduction to the buddhist tradition.
Inter Illinois: Varsity Press.
 Ancient Buddhist Sites of Sanchi & Barhut.
Photograhy by Morihiro Oki. Text (in
Japanese) Shoji Ito. Japanese publication.
 Ankerberg, J. (n.d.). Buddhism and Jesus
Christ. Retrieved May 26, 2012, from
http://www.jashow.org/Articles/apologetics/AP
1104W3.htm
REFERENCES
 Buddhist
CONT’D
Education and Information
Network.
http://www.buddhanet.net
http://www.buddhanet.net/elearning/history/thera_map.htm
 Furer-Haimendorf,
C. (1974). The sense of sin
in cross-cultural perspective, Man, New Series
9.4, pp. 539-556. Retrieved May 2012, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_views_
of_sin
REFERENCES
 Warner,
CONT’D
B. (n.d.). Sex, sin and Buddha: A
supplementary to sex, sin and zen.
Retrieved May 2012, from
http://bhikkhucintita.wordpress.com/home/
monastic-life/sex-sin-and-buddhism/
 Wordsworth editions 1999.The Wordsworth
Encyclopedia of World Religions. Retrieved
April 2012, from
http://www.urbandharma.org/udharma5/vi
ewdeath.html
REFERENCES
CONT’D
 http://www.buddhanet.net/e-
learning/history/b_prayer.htm
 http://www.buddhanet.net/e-
learning/history/b_faqs.htm
 http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xloo1b_a-
buddhist-finds-healing-cbn-com_webcam
REFERENCES
CONT’D
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xd
aka2_bring-it-on-buddhists-cbncom_webcam
http://www.pbs.org/edens/thailand/bu
ddhism.htm
REFERENCES
CONT’D
 http://www.buddhanet.net/d_cermon.htm
 http://www.gotpassport.org/2010/10/05/dos-
and-donts-when-visiting-a-buddhist-templeanywhere-in-the-world/
 http://www.londonbuddhistvihara.org/qa/qa
_hhe.htm#qa_hhe3