Any ex-buddhists here?

[NotJohn]

I have a very close friend who is buddhist. I have told her about Jesus and the Christian faith, but it seems to be an issue that she avoids. I will not give up on her, though. I am hoping someone can give me some specific advice or insight on how to minister to a buddhist. I don't need advice on debates or anything like that. I just want to share with her, in an intimate and personal way. Any help I can get would be so very appreciated. This is extremely important to me.

[Pilgrim7]

NotJohn,

Try the old fashioned way. It is the only way that really works. Help to show her that she is in bondage to sin. That is what the Ten Commandments are for. They show us sin. Jesus can only save sinners who realize their bondage to sin. Then she can call on Jesus and allow Him to enter as her new master and cast out the 'old master' of sin and death. This was the method of Jesus and the Apostles, and it works with any variety of sin or sinner for all have sinned.

Mt 12:25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:

12:26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?

12:27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast [them] out? therefore they shall be your judges.

12:28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

12:29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.

12:30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

Jesus is the 'stronger man who binds the devil and sin, for he that sins 'is the servant of sin' and has another 'master'.

God bless,

Dennis

[apothanein kerdos]

The problem for the Buddhist is the seperation in the physical and spiritual realms. Study her faith and understand what she believes....and then look at the impossibility presented before her to actually live out that belief. Anything she is happy about or works hard at that requires a material item is basically a contradiction of her beliefs. If we need to obstain a true reality, how do we truly transcend this reality? The problem is that though her philosophy/religion might teach we need to find a way to leave this reality through meditation, moderation, and karma, the reality in which she lives prevents this. In other words it creates an inevitable cycle in which she is always comming back to this earth. It is impossible to transcend what you are a natural part of. The mere aspect of intellectualy justifying Buddhism actually is counter-productive to Buddhism. Show this to her not to win an argument, but to show she is following a faith that is impossible to live...it simply does not work. When she comes to that, you present her with Christianity, which is a system that works. Man is fallen, man needs a redeemer, we were made for this world and to reach out to others, etc.

Likewise, other things to look at is the truth of Dukkha which calls on us to desire anything material. In fact, the next law dictates that the reason there is suffering and pain is because we desire and want. Unfortunately, it is often desire and want that lead people to Buddhism. Likewise, the only way to get rid of suffering/pain is to get rid of desire and want....which is circular. The only way to desire the absense of pain is to desire to get rid of desire. It contradicts itself. If you do not desire to get rid of pain...then why be a Buddhist? See what I'm saying?

[JimR-OCDS]

Ravi Zacharias in his book, "Jesus Among Other Gods," presents a good argument, when it comes to comparing Christianity with Buddhism and Hinduism.

While the Buddha had to go out and learn the way, Jesus said, " I am the Way."

While the Buddha had to go out and find the truth, Jesus said, "I am the Turth."

While the Buddha had to go out and find enlightenment, Jesus said, "I am the Light, I am the I AM."

Jesus coming and mission, was preannounced. Not so the Buddha.

I recommend Ravi Zacharias's book.