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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