A Faith That Begins with Suffering
Most religions begin with God. Buddhism begins with suffering. A young man looked honestly at old age, sickness, and death, and asked how anyone could be free from them. Anyone who has sat beside a dying parent knows that is a real question, and Scripture does not run from it.
About 324 million people are Buddhists, roughly 4 percent of the world, and most live in Asia. In Hawaii, Buddhism is no distant subject. It came with immigrant families, and many in the islands remember a grandmother's butsudan (family altar), a temple memorial service, or a summer bon dance. For some it is a personal faith. For many it is family and heritage. This study sets out what Buddhists believe from their own texts, gives careful attention to Pure Land Buddhism, answers from Scripture, and helps you share Christ.
The difference with the Gospel can be heard in two invitations. The Buddha's last recorded words to his monks were, “All compounded things are subject to vanish. Strive with earnestness!” (Digha Nikaya 16). Jesus looked at the same world of sorrow and said this.
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”MATTHEW 11:28–30 · KJV
One teacher tells us to work out our own release. The other tells us to come to Him for rest. We can honor the seriousness of the first and still rejoice in the second.
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For Deeper Study
- Neighboring Faiths: A Christian Introduction to World ReligionsAmazon Winfried CorduanFair, careful descriptions of the major world religions as their adherents practice them, with a Christian assessment.
- Buddhism: A Christian Exploration and AppraisalAmazon Keith Yandell and Harold NetlandTwo evangelical scholars explain Buddhist history and thought and weigh its claims. More demanding.
- Christianity at the Religious RoundtableAmazon Timothy C. TennentA missionary scholar shows how evangelical conversations with Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims actually go. Evangelical and more demanding.
- What the Buddha TaughtAmazon Walpola RahulaA standard summary by a Theravada monk. Read Buddhism as a Buddhist explains it.
- River of Fire, River of WaterAmazon Taitetsu UnnoAn introduction to Shin Buddhism by one of its own teachers. Read Jodo Shinshu as your friend's tradition explains it.
- Foxe's Book of MartyrsAmazon John FoxeThe classic Protestant record of those who died for the faith, from the early church to the English Reformation.
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Engaging Other Religions
Sincerity is not the same as truth: every religion makes exclusive claims, and Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father.
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