Searching for the Truth

How Christianity Compares to World Religions

Buddhism

Teacher: Tony Griffies

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Buddhism

Background

Founded by an Indian prince named Siddhartha Gotama (aprox. 560 B.C.)

Gotama had a revelation while meditating under a tree—led to “enlightenment”

The “enlightenment” led to Gotama being named “Buddha” (the Awakened One)

Buddha developed the Four Noble Truths

People must realize there is suffering in life.

People must realize the cause of this suffering is their own cravings or desires.

Suffering can be overcome or avoided by letting go of the cravings.

We can let go of our cravings by following the Eightfold Path:

Right Understanding

Right Thought

Right Speech

Right Action

Right Livelihood

Right Effort

Right Mindfulness

Right Concentration

Some core beliefs

Buddhism rejects the idea of a personal god—god and the universe are one.

Goal of Buddhism is found on earth—to reach total enlightenment and bliss (Nirvana)

Death signals the end of consciousness; a joining of one’s energy w/ the cosmos.

What about God?

There is no belief in God or any gods.

Jesus is acknowledged as a man with good teachings; not believed to be deity.

Buddha is not viewed as god, either. “Buddha” is a title given to someone (i.e. Gotama).

Buddhist believe in a universal force that runs through all things (i.e. Star Wars).

Many people have taken parts of Buddhism and left other parts…

Do you see any problem with taking just part of religion?

What would Christianity do for a person if someone believed everything except the part about believing in God?

Bible Focus

Hebrews 11:6
Hebrews 9:27-28
Romans 3:23-24

Would you like to study this topic further?

Detailed lesson outlines, audio tapes, and compact discs of this lesson are available free of charge from the Highlands church of Christ.

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