1. Understanding the Buddhist Mind
Entering their world

2. Buddhism
Originated 2600 years ago in Nepal (about the time of Jeremiah and Daniel)
Scholars list 274 official kinds of Buddhism
Dali Lama has popularized Buddhism today
Buddhism has spread rapidly in west (Meditation)
Will not hear: women cannot obtain Nirvana
Will not hear: there is a Buddhist Hell
Will not hear: must keep 227 laws
Will not hear: there are 31 levels of existence

3. Origins/Expansion of Buddhism
The Buddha – born a Hindu price in Nepal
Three stages of his life:
A. Affluence – birth, marriage, crisis (29)
B. The great renunciation – 4 people
old man, sick person, dead body, ascetic
C. The time of seeking and inquiring – crisis to enlightenment

4. Origins/Expansion of Buddhism
Summary of his teachings: he taught the Karma (cause & effect) of past lives result in the constant cycle of birth, suffering, death, and rebirth (reincarnation)
The only way to free yourself from this cycle is through your own efforts. No one can help you. You must do this for yourself.

5. Origins/Expansion of Buddhism
For 200 years it stayed locally in Nepal
Within 1500 years it became a major Asian religion
Some scholars say there are 1.2 billion adherents to Buddhist teaching worldwide.
A. Theravada – conservative kind found across Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka
B. Mahayana – liberal kind is found in East Asia, Japan, and Korea.

6. Basic Buddhist beliefs
The Four Noble Truths:
A. Life is suffering because all is impermanent, imperfect, and unsatisfactory
B. Suffering is caused by desiring or craving attachment to all forms of illusion or impermanence and emptiness
C. To escape suffering one must stop these cravings and eliminate desires
D. The way to end suffering and be freed from desire is to follow the Noble Eightfold Path.

7. Basic Buddhist beliefs
The Noble Eight-fold Path: 3 components and eight actions
Three components:
A. wisdom -- developing spiritual insights
B. Ethical conduct – restraining one’s body and focusing one’s mind
C. Concentration – meditation techniques to control the though process

8. Basic Buddhist beliefs
The Noble Eight-fold Path: 8 actions
A. Right view – understanding reality
B. Right intention – removing wrong conduct
C. Right speech – avoiding lying, gossip, etc.
D. Right action – do no harm
E. Right livelihood – occupations – do no harm
F. Right effort – remove harmful thoughts and actions
G. Right mindfulness – keeping alert mind
H. Right concentration – peaceful inner calm

9. Basic Buddhist beliefs
Sila – moral code. Help followers progress toward enlightenment. Most Buddhists know these.
A. Do not take life – kill no living thing
B. Do not take what is not given – exploiting, manipulating, stealing
C. Do not distort facts – exaggeration, lying
D. Do not misuse the senses – immorality, food, laziness
E. Do not use self-intoxicants – drunk, etc.

10. Other Buddhist beliefs
The cycle of life – birth, suffering, death, rebirth
Karma – drives the cycle of life. Intention as well as action produce karmic results
Rebirth and stages of being
Heavens and hells
Impermanence
Concept of No self – no soul
Nirvana – goal of Buddhism

11. Obstacles to Communicating gospel
All religions are valid
There is no God (so Christ is not God)
Man is not a spiritual being
Karma is the iron law of life
Sin has little consequence
Salvation is by your own efforts
Nirvana is the ultimate hope, not heaven
Forgiveness, grace, mercy – unknown
Buddha was born before Jesus
No knowledge or respect for the Bible

12. Obstacles to communicating gospel
A cultural consideration: guilt verses shame, which is right?
Guilt – culpability for committing an offence of crime.
Shame – feelings of distress, embarrassment, disgrace, regret
Which approach does the bible use?

13. Bridges to the gospel Apologetic – ex. Creation
Point of contact – stories from Buddha like “Blind Turtle”
Scratch where it itches – fear, healing, suffering, peace
Power encounter – Luke 16 story
Colombo approach – 10 burning fires of desire, 227 laws
Personal testimony -- George as an example

14. Relevant bible stories
Rich man and Lazarus – Luke 16
Prodigal son – Luke 15
Paul & Silas in prison – Acts 16
Parable of “evil from within” – Mark 7
Elijah on Mt. Carmel – I Kings 18
Miracles of Jesus
“I Am’s” of Jesus

15. C2C for Buddhists
C2C presentation in 2 ½ minutes