What does Lhasa* have to do with
Jerusalem?
*Lhasa is the traditional capital
city of Tibet
Image: The Dalai Lama in Charlottesville, Virginia, October 11, 2012
The Dalai Lama visited Charlottesville today. The name “Dalai Lama” literally means “ocean
teacher,” the implication being that his teaching is deeper than the
oceans. The Dalai Lama is both the
spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism and the head of state for Tibetans in
exile, who fled their land for Northern India in 1959 under duress from
communist China which continues to occupy and govern Tibet. “Free Tibet” bumper stickers are still a
ubiquitous and trendy staple in Charlottesville.
The present Dalai Lama (now in his late 70s) is believed to
be the 14th incarnation of the “Bodhisvattva of Compassion,” an
enlightened being who is a sort of “patron saint” of Tibet. He was supposedly recognized as being the
reincarnated lama while still a toddler in the home of a peasant family. Tibetan Buddhism departs from classical Zen
Buddhism in that it is more animistic and shamanistic. In other words, Tibetan Buddhism places more
focus on idols, guardian spirits, superstitions, totems, etc., holdovers, no
doubt, from the pre-Buddhist traditional religions of Tibet.
The Dalai Lama took part in two events on the Downtown Mall
today, one at the Paramount Theater and the other at the Downtown
Pavilion. I did not attend either of the
events for which a purchased ticket was required, but I was in the area and
talked with several people who had come to see the Dalai Lama.
I was struck by how many Westerners have taken up an interest
in Tibetan Buddhism. I have often said
that in Charlottesville there may be more Buddhists than Baptists. No doubt, many are attracted to the exotic
nature of this religion. Others are
drawn to its non-dogmatic “all is one” philosophy, including its belief that
all religions eventually lead to the same destination, its emphasis on
meditation, spirituality, compassion, non-violence, and its tacit rejection of
materialism. Seeing so many flock to
this event is, in part, an indictment of the failure of the church faithfully
to preach the gospel and to hold out the wealth of Western spirituality in the
Christian faith to our fellow countrymen.
One wonders how many would have meandered to Buddhism if they had known
the oceans of the Christ consumed Puritans.
The Dalai Lama’s visit did push me to learn more about
Buddhism. I am by no means an expert in
this religion, but here are a few observations I have drawn on the differences
between Buddhism and Biblical Christianity:
1.
On the doctrine of God.
Buddhism does not, in fact, believe in a personal God but speaks instead
of an impersonal life force. It is, in
fact, a God-less religion. Christianity
believes in one true, everlasting, holy, and personal God who exists as Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit.
2.
On creation.
Buddhism sees the physical world as a necessary evil. The goal of the spiritual life is detachment
in overcoming the entanglements of physical existence. Christianity believes that God created the
world good and made man to have dominion in stewardship over it. Though sin has warped even creation which
groans for its renewal, the world is still basically good, declaring the glory
of its Maker. It will one day be
transformed into a new heavens and new earth.
It is no accident that modern science, medicine, and technology
developed in cultures influenced by the Biblical worldview.
3.
On humanity.
Buddhism holds that man is basically good and that he can choose to
pursue things that lead to his good and the good of others through following a
path of enlightenment (Buddhist teachings and spirituality). Christianity holds that man was the apex of
creation, the only creature to be made in God’s image. The first human beings (Adam and Eve),
however, sinned against God. In Adam’s
sin all mankind fell. We are born with
an inherited sin nature from our first parents, and we also personally
transgress God’s commands. Though we
retain the image of God, we are spiritually broken. We do not seek God or love him unless he
first seeks and loves us. Jesus taught
that the two greatest commands were to love God with every fiber of our being
and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Believers
experience a slow process of progressive sanctification in this life, sometimes
beset with periods of decline (backsliding), as well as periods of rapid
growth. Though saved, Christians remain
sinners. Those who trust in Christ,
however, will at the final resurrection be “glorified,” fully regaining their
lost humanity, by God’s grace.
4.
On salvation.
Buddhism holds that one might attain detached enlightenment by following
the “dharma” or teachings of the Buddha.
It differentiates between monks, who are held to a higher spiritual
standard, and lay believers. Biblical
Christianity holds that salvation comes only by grace through faith in the Lord
Jesus Christ who died on the cross for sinners and was raised so that those who
believe in him might walk in newness of life and receive eternal life. The standards of the Christian life apply equally
to all believers alike.
5.
On the afterlife.
Buddhism believes in the concept of reincarnation. At death one simply begins life again in a
new creaturely existence. The goal is
eventually to progress to a state of “Nirvana” or bliss. Christianity holds that each person only
comes into existence at his conception.
It is appointed unto men once to die and, after this, to face the
judgment of God (Hebrews 9:7). The judgment
of God depends on one key factor: one’s
response to Jesus Christ. Those who
believe in Christ enter the perpetual joy of heaven. Those who deny Christ enter the agony of
eternal damnation.
The points above are, no doubt, a simplification both of
Buddhism and of Christianity. I think
any can see that the differences are vast, as are the worldview implications of
embracing one path or the other, Lhasa or Jerusalem. Christianity, by its very essence, cannot
hold to an “all is one” philosophy of faith.
We follow the one who declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the
life: no man cometh unto the Father, but
by me” (John 14:6). He said he came not
to bring peace on the earth but a sword.
As I said to one young student I spoke with today, “What matters, in the
end, is the truth.”
Grace and peace, Pastor
Jeff Riddle
1 comment:
"One wonders how many would have meandered to Buddhism if they had known the oceans of the Christ consumed Puritans. "
What a great commentary on the state of evangelism in our day.
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