I. Types of Buddhists
serious students - monk, etc.
western converts
people whose core of their being is Buddhist worldview
- these are the majority of Buddhists we have contact with both in the U.S. and overseas - not strongly Buddhist until they are challenged to give up Buddhism
SIX BUDDHIST MERITS
1) charitable acts
2) keep laws of Buddha - examine oneself to avoid errors
3) bear insults and avoid pride
4) not overly concerned with things; keep striving toward goal
5) meditate to purify one's thoughts
6) strive to cultivate the wisdom of Buddha - including methods, hope, efficiency, and resolution to understand truth
II. Various relationships with Buddhists
personal Buddhist background
family is Buddhist
classmates or friends are Buddhist
heading overseas to Buddhist country
(many ways to present same gospel - know your audience)
III. Misconceptions/worldview - speak the same language
SOME DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CHRISTIANS AND BUDDHISTS
Christian Concepts Foreign to BuddhistsBuddhismChristian(1) GOD
undefined force
not personal
different from humans only in degree
complete emptiness
separate from his creation
personal interest in his creation
transcendent only in boundaries (knows and lives with) but not any physical form (doesn't become creation) - Ps 139
complete fullness
has emotions as seen in humans
(2) FALLEN MAN
man is naturally good
worldly attachments are bad - the ideal is to empy oneself of selfish desires
man was originally created in God's image but since the fall all people are vil and imperfect by nature
(3) SINJapanese/Chinese word for "sin" is the same word as "crime" - very few commit "crimes"sin is "crime of the heart"; rebellion against God (refusing to accept our position beneath our primary superior); unlcean, impure, dirty heart(4) FORGIVENESS
if a wrong has been done, restitution must be made. if not possible, endless shame must be borne by the individual and family
it's a virtue to continue despite being wronged, but not to forgive
shame worldview doesn't deal with forgiveness
there is no way to make restitution to God
forgiveness is offered because of God's mercy through Christ's sacrifice
forgivenes restores us to the same relationship as before the wrong
since God is our superior, we should imitate his mercy
(5) INDIVIDUAL DECISION/ RESPONSIBILITYthe large group or family is most important, one should not stray from the thinking of the group or do anything to harm it
God is the creator of everyone - we are his family and have responsiblity to our "brothers and sisters"
Jesus died for his people (made the ultimate sacrifice for his people)
(6) EXCLUSIVE GOD OR RELIGION
there are many paths up the same mountain
resentment against being forced to make a commitment
God himself told us not to have any other paths
it is technically an exclusive faith
(7) WORSHIP
self-discipline, focuses on own internal strength
private but often done in the presence of family or community
focuses on creator God
"family of God" uniting in praise to the Father
(8) PRAYERnot really communication, requesting power from self or ancestors
communication with God, two-way
power is in God, not in the prayer itself
IV. Stumbling blocks
clear understanding of God - not "good luck" charm
sin = unclean/ rebellious heart
grace - creates non-harmony because we are indebted to God - can't pay Him back
- to explain grace, then, we must accept total grace ourselves
exclusiveness (compare turning to or loving other god to adultery)
V. Unnecessary stumbling blocks - Ways we can cross over to them
II Cor. 6:1-3
prayer - explain; keep simple - "introduce" them to God in your own prayers
learn about and respect their traditions
do what would show love to them (observe carefully to determine what would show love - don't assume they appreciate what we appreciate)
don't make them feel obligated to you
be uncomfortable for their sake
eat their food
go to "heart language" church, provide them with Bible in 'heart language"
VI. Ancestor Worship vs. Ancestor and Family Respect
respect elders while alive ---> respect for ancestors
pray for mercy on ancestors - remember fondly
ancestors don't need us now
ancestors would have heart of rich man in luke 16:14-30 - want their loved ones to know the truth
help with family gatherings in any way that does not demonstrate worship of ancestors or giving to "spirits"
VII. Points of Contact
Even though our worldviews are so different, there are some points of contact that the Bible makes that can specifically speak to those with an Asian religion worldview . Some of them are:
1) Shame vs. guilt (shame worldview is found Gen 3 and Lev. - "unclean")
2) Compare original sin to family shame
3) Compare Son of God to authority of the son of the emperor
4) Sin means you can't look at the Father in the face
5) Compare Jesus to hari kari to remove shame from the family
6) Compare Jesus to eldest son in family - our older brother
7) God's family and adoption into the family
8) Jesus = light (Buddhists seek enlightenment)
9) Love vs. obligation
10) The Biblical instructions for marriage
11) The Biblical teachings on parent/child relationship (child-rearing) - born with sin
12) Jesus is the Way (Tao)
13) Jesus will never leave us - no "alone-ness"
VIII. Mini (but important) Steps Toward Total Commitment
___ Engages in dialogue with Christians about the Bible or Christian topics
___ Expresses own non-religious or non-Christian belief
___ Willing to consider Christian viewpoint
___ Identifies with or "belongs to" Christian group
___ Believes God created the world
___ Believes God created mankind in His image - different than the rest of creation
___ Believes God is aware of and in control of all things
___ Believes there is only one true God in the world
___ Believes all people have sinful hearts from birth
___ Believes all sin must and will be punished by God
___ Believes Jesus was truly God and truly man
___ Believes Jesus had the power to work miracles
___ Believes Jesus came back to life from being dead
___ All stories in the Bible are true
___ The Bible is from God
___ Can pray to God ( in English or own in first language)
___ Eager to tell others what they know about Jesus and the Bible
___ Believes Jesus is the only way for all people
IX. Spiritual Battle
Don't feel guilty that you're not as good as Buddhists - we're not telling them how to be good people - we're telling them how to have a relationship with God Almighty.
X. Bibliography
Chang, Lit-Sen. Asia's Religions: Christianity's Momemtous Encounter with Paganism. San Gabriel, CA: China Horizon. 1999. ISBN 1-892-63203-9
Corduan, Winfried. Neighboring Faiths. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1998. ISBN 0-8308-1524-4
Elmer, Duane. Cross-Cultural Connections. Downers Grove, IL: InverVarsity Press. 2002 ISBN 0-8308-2309-3..
Halverson, Dean C.. ed. The Compact Guide to World Religions. Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers. 1996. ISBN 1-55661-704-6
Hesselgrave, David J.. Communicating Christ Cross-Culturally. Zondervan Publishing House - excerpts used with permission by International Students, Inc. Colorado Springs, CO. 1987.
How To Speak To Our Elders About Christ;. Singapore: OMF Books (Overseas Missionary Fellowship). 1986. ISBN 9971-972-50-6
Lewis, David C. The Unseen Face of Japan. Turnbridge Wells, Kent, England: Monarch Publications. 1993. ISBN 1-85424-150-8
Lingenfelter, Sherwood G. and Mayers, Marvin K. Ministering Cross-Culturally. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker House Books. 1986. ISBN 0-8010-5632-2
McDowell, Josh and Stewart, Don. Understanding Non-Christian Religions. San Bernadino, CA: Here's Life Publishers, Inc. 1982. ISBN 0-86605-092-2
Ministry to Muslims, Tibetan Buddhists, and Hindus. Upper Darby, PA : InterServe/USA 1995, 1996, 1997.
Seamands, John T. Tell It Well. Kansas City, Missouri: Beacon Hill Press. 1981. ISBN 083-410-6841
Many of these books and scriptures available in English and other languages at Multilanguage Media, Inc.
