Dharma Wheel Lotus blossom The Vase The Eternal Knot Conch Shell

 Largest religion in Asia  Began in India BC.  Grew out of Hinduism  Founder was Gautama Buddha  Growing rapidly around the world  One Buddhist temple in Augusta

Buddha - legends of early life  Born to wealthy king - in India  “Seer” predicted he was to be great ruler  If he saw four things he would become the founder of a new religion [1] Disease [2] Old age [3] Death [4] Monk who had renounced world  Married and had a son  Practiced the Hindu religion

Buddha - When he was about 30 Saw the 4 things that changed his life [1] Disease [2] Old age [3] Death [4] Monk who had renounced world Renounced his family Became a mendicant [ beggar ] monk

Buddha - Wandering years  Studied “Hindu” religion  Rejected  Tried “ascetism” for 6 years  Became a living skeleton - near death  Five monks were his followers  Meditated 40 days and 40 nights  Experience - called bliss of Nirvana

Buddha - His religion was born  Experience described as “bodhi”  Gautama became the “Buddha”  The one who had become fully awake  “From good must come good,…”  Five monks followed him again  Taught them the meaning of life  Enlightenment in your heart

Built on fundamental principles of Hinduism Karma Reincarnation Nirvana Rejects some parts of Hinduism Highest “caste” could end cycle Rejected authority of Vedas & Upanishads

Four Noble Truths (1) Existence is suffering (2) Cause of suffering (3) How to end suffering (4) Cessation of suffering Noble Eightfold Path 1.Right views 2.Right intentions 3.Right speech 4.Right behavior 5.Right occupation 6.Right effort 7.Right contemplation 8.Right meditation

13 Major divisions 2 Main divisions  Theravada - Hinayana  Mayhayana Buddhism Zen Buddhism

 Theravada - Hinayana Three groups - “Tripitaka” Vinaya Pitaka Sutta Pitaka Abhidhamma Pitaka  Mayhayana Buddhism No fixed group 5,000 volumes and growing

Cosmos Deity Man Man’s Plight Salvation Conduct Destiny

Cosmos Prakriti - matter = physical world Purusha Deity Denied belief in any god Believed in many deities Man Reborn - reincarnation No soul

Man’s Plight Holds in bondage to rebirth Salvation Middle way of life Conduct Right thought, speech - eliminate desire Destiny Nirvana To die away - cease to exist

1. Do Not Believe in God Founder called “Lord Buddha” Bible teaches… God is eternal, immutable, omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent God created all things Gen. 1:1 God loves man

2. Man is worthless Man will cease to exist Bible teaches… Man is made in image of God Gen. 1:27 Man has body, soul & spirit 1 Thes.5:23 Man will live eternally Heaven/Hell

3. Human body is miserable hindrance Living in flesh is not a happy existence Bible teaches… Body is creation of God - Gen. 2:7 Body is temple of Holy Spirit 1 Cor. 6: Cor. 15:51-54

4. Reincarnation Born and die many times Buddha lived 530 lives Bible teaches… One life and one death Heb. 9:27 “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”

5. Spread by Political Power Adapted to the country Appealed to man’s laziness Bible teaches… Gospel is spread by preaching truth Romans 10:15

6. Offers no hope Doctrine of Annihilation Bible teaches… Hope of eternal home in heaven John 14:1 Hope is anchor of the soul - Heb.6:18-19

7. Incorrect view about suffering Suffering caused by desire Eliminate desire and eliminate suffering Bible teaches… Sin is the cause of suffering - Gen. 2-3 Death brings disease, and suffering Cure - obey the gospel Promise - home in heaven - no suffering

False religion - not revealed in the Bible Started by a man He died at 80 - buried - body remains there Christianity is far superior Christ died at age 33 Raised after 3 days Ascended back to heaven

They teach that life is a drudgery Christianity gives meaning and purpose to life Rom. 8:37 John 10:10 Best way of life possible on this earth “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga Sunday Evening April 17, 2011