Buddhism started in the sixth century B. C. and like its parent religion Hinduism, emerged and developed in the soil of India. While many people tend to associate it with countries like China, Japan, the Koreas and other Asian nations, this is due to its widespread acceptance and growth in these countries. Gautama Siddhartha, later on to be known as the Budhha (the Enlightened one) was born around 563 B.C. He was born into affluence and opulency, but later on in his life, he rejected all the royalty that he was born into, abandoned his wife and son, all for the sake of his spiritual journey, pursuing the ultimate meaning of life and the destiny of humans. ( John Renard, the Handy Religion Answer Book. Visible Ink Press, 2002, p. 305)
The sacred text of the Buddhist religion is known as the Pali Canon, which was a collection of other texts known as the Tripitaka (the three baskets). The three sub-texts were the following: The Vinaya Pitaka which contained the rules of monastic discipline, the Sutra Pitaka which gathered Buddha's speeches, the Abhidarma Pitaka which included seven lengthy theoretical interpretations of the Buddha's teachings. (Renard, p. 309)
The three major strands of Buddhism are the following:
1. Therevada Buddhism- This brand of Buddhism is built around the notion that the Buddha was a human being who taught by example. The historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, was the last of many non-human reincarnations of he Buddha-to-be.
2. Mahayana Buddhism- This brand of Buddhism emphasizes that Gautama Siddhartha was one of many manifestations of enlightment capable of saving those who ask for help.
3. Vajrayana Buddhism- This brand of Buddhism consists of a number of schools and lineages that blended Mahayana concepts with the esoteric interpretations of Hinduism's Tantric schools. It has also blended with popular traditions. (Renard, p. 309-310)
There is another aspect of Buddhism which is not as dogmatic as the other three branches of the Buddhist faith known as Zen Buddhism. Some consider this as a philosophical type of Buddhism which is practiced by adherents of other religions, including the Christian faith.
The major doctrines of Buddhism are:
1. The Four Noble Truths-
a. Life is difficult
b. All hardship and suffering comes from inappropriate attachment or grasping.
c. To avoid suffering, avoid inappropriate craving
d. To stop inappropriate craving, follow the Eightfold Noble Path (Renard, p. 317)
2. The Eightful Noble Path is: Eat what you need and use whatever is necessary for a modest style of living. The eight elements in the classical formulation of the standards for such a life are divided into three large categories: wisdom, ethics, and concentration. Achieving wisdom requires proper belief in the form of deep understanding of the Four Noble Truths and proper intent, which means that one performs all acts out of compassion rather than out of self motives. The next three steps on the Path involve ethics. Proper speech means avoiding all evils of the tongue. Proper action, expressed negatively, means refraining from inappropriate sexual relationships, killing and stealing. And proper livelihood calls for the avoidance of occupations that cause harm such dealing in slavery or weapons. Training in concentration also has a triple foundation. Proper effort means perfect balance in one's attitude toward work. Proper attentiveness flows from deep reflection on the Four Noble Truths. And proper absorption, a lofty goal, means the ability to be genuinely content in equilibrium between pursuing goals and running from fears. Everything depends on carefully measured responses. That does not necessarily mean the death of spontaneity. It also means a habit of discipline and keen awareness of one's personal motivations. (Renard, p. 317)
I invite you, the reader to review the teachings of Buddhism, and to determine which, if any of these teachings can be both affirmed and embraced by Christian believers. Do you see Jesus (the Cosmic Christ) present in any of these beliefs and teachings? Do you see the Buddha as a Christ-like figure, and maybe another Christophany (manifestation of Christ)? Your comments and input into this discussion are very valuable and will be appreciated.
Grace and peace,
Dr. Juan A. Ayala-Carmona
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