A Christian’s View of Buddhism

A comparison of how Christianity and Buddhism approach desire, sin, and suffering.

Readership: All
Theme: Culture / Buddhism
Note:  This topic was requested by Aaron MacDonald.
Length: 1,800 words
Reading Time: 10 minutes + 4 videos (optional)

Introduction

Recently, we’ve seen an uptick in the number of mentions and references to Buddhism and Eastern Mysticism.  I’ve also seen many instances in which the wisdom therein is paraphrased and is not overtly identified as such.

Here are some recent articles that contain examples of what I’m talking about.

• Illimitable Men: Extremes, Nuance & The Golden Mean (2024/2/14)
• Sigma Game: The Inevitable Misinterpretations (2024/2/14)
• The Upheaval: Confucius Says “lol, lmao” (2024/2/16)

In general, the citation of Buddhist philosophy / wisdom is usually offered as an expression of Gnostic Progressive platitudes but it also appears under the guise of ‘moral truth’.

Readers should be aware that these ideas / “truths” are being snuck in under our noses.

To gain a proper regard for these insights, they should be assessed through a Biblical / Christian lens, and thereby assigned a proper place and value.

My Purpose for Covering Buddhism

The purpose of my addressing these things as they relate to Buddhism is not to convince readers to accept syncretism, much less convert anyone to Buddhism, but to enhance our discernment of the truth and to guard against misconceptions and error.

Since I’ve lived in Taiwan for many years, I’ve become rather familiar with Buddhism.  In this post, I’ll attempt to summarize the most basic beliefs of Buddhism as I understand them.  A follow-up post will offer a testimony of my own faith in which I’ll describe how understanding Buddhism helped me grow in my Christian faith.

It is hoped that my musings on this topic will increase the readers’ awareness of it so that we are not ignorant of these influences.  It is left to the reader to decide how deep to dive into this topic and how to determine the value and place thereof.

A Conspicuous Vacuum of Context

In my 50+ years of living, I’ve been exposed to many different religions and Christian denominations. I’ve found one thing that is true for all: that the most fundamental beliefs of any faith are the most difficult to apprehend, even to the point of being esoteric. This is precisely because the subject of religion deals in the realm of things that cannot be readily apprehended through the senses or intellect. Another reason is that when one wholly believes something from the heart, then it is seldom directly expressed in words. There is something about faith that excludes any objective discussion of the substance of that faith.

I consider other denominations and religions to contain certain elements of truth.  They must, otherwise they could not endure over centuries.  However, in making the cultural / ecumenical / interdenominational / religious jump, a great deal of context is lost in the crossover / translation.  Understanding the context is assumed to be essential knowledge required for apprehending an authentic appreciation of the truths therein, and this knowledge may not be recognized by those who are unfamiliar with the supporting cultural / religious environment that would impart a deeper awareness of the intended meaning.

Here’s an example of what I’m talking about.

Christ: Love the sinner, condemn the sin.
Buddha: Love the sinner, realize sinning is a part of life.

Liberal Westerners love the simplified Buddhist version because it appeals to the feeelz gooeds.  That is, it can be easily misunderstood as removing apparent judgment and condoning sin.  However, a deeper understanding of Buddhism implies that one must judge one’s self first and foremost, which is also a Christian teaching (Lamentations 3:40; 1 Corinthians 11:27-31; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Galatians 6:4; 1 John 3:19-21).  So properly understood, the Buddhist emphasis is less on either condemning or condoning sin, and more on refusing to indulge in self-righteousness, maintaining an attitude of humility, and being aware of one’s own spiritual pride and keeping that in check.  It is also a call to forgive others who sin against you — another Christian teaching.  All in all, self-awareness and self-discipline is assumed, which are underappreciated by Westerners.  Moreover, the problem in translation is that this deeper understanding would never occur to a typical Westerner reading these words.

Christians should recognize that most of these Eastern truths are wholly mystical in nature.  This is a problem because, in general, Westerners are entirely unfamiliar with mysticism, and are therefore prone to misinterpret these philosophies according to an absolutist, doctrinal, or scientistic approach, instead of merely food for inspiration and introspection as intended. 

A lot of the work of transforming a particular example of syncretic eisegesis into a valid ecumenical exegesis boils down to context and culture, as is true for any application of wisdom.  Also, one’s wisdom is only as good as one’s spiritual discernment.  I’ll admit that it takes a certain amount of faith and humility to even admit that studying other religions can offer something of value to a Christian.  So I can understand if some readers cannot accept my viewpoints.  Take it for what it’s worth to you.

General Information about Buddhism

Since living in Taiwan, I sometimes receive what Westerners might call “evangelistic tracts” for Buddhism in my mailbox and email.  Buddhists don’t have the concept of evangelism, but they do feel a strong conviction to share general wisdom and bless those around them in various ways.  Buddhists are somewhat like Calvinists in this regard.  They believe the fate of individuals is divinely ordained and they don’t think human effort can change that.

Here’s an excerpt from one such tract.

“Many have the misconception of Buddhism being a religion.  Buddhism is more of a way of life which can wire our brains positively and see changes in a different light.”

“Since fate has brought us here, we hope you can spend some time exploring Buddhism.”

Here are some videos shared through Buddhist email ‘tracts’.

What is Buddhism? Length: 19:52

Basics of Buddhism by Patrick Goodness. Length: 46:28

Albert Einstein on Buddhism. Length: 1:52

Bertrand Russell (Nobel Prize Winner) on Buddha and Buddhism. Length: 5:33

A Mystical / Soteriological Understanding of Buddhism

Whether Buddhism is a “true” religion is debated, simply because different people have different experiences with it.  In general, most Buddhist teachings are a discourse in wisdom and living an honorable life.  But a devout person could easily extend that to the belief that such actions have the result of redeeming one’s soul from sin, suffering, and hell, and some teachings address the eternal.  It is generally believed that one’s actions in this life largely determine one’s embodied form of reincarnation in the next.  For example, if a person abuses and ridicules the poor and homeless in this life, then as fate would have it, that person is predestined to be poor and homeless in the next life.  It is generally believed that if a person can live a flawless life of good works, then they can reach a state of nirvana.  IOW, they go on to heaven and are no longer reincarnated.

In a nutshell, the soteriology of Buddhism is that, through following the Buddhist path, one can completely overcome unwholesome mental states (kleshas), and thus break free of the bonds of cyclic existence (saṃsāra), and attain liberation (nirvana).

According to my understanding of Buddhism, this is comparable to one aspect of Christianity — being transformed by the renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2).  The difference is that Buddhism does not acknowledge the source of the power by which this can be done — one’s faith in Christ.  I can only wonder if Buddhists avail of this power without recognizing what it is.

In Christianity, rightly understood, one’s conscience, discernment, and sense of guilt should inform a person of what is right or wrong before one gets too far into it.  The Buddhist concept of spiritual awareness is very similar.

Buddhism’s Emphasis on Relieving Suffering

“There is a great deal of quality content on YouTube regarding Buddhism and how it can alleviate suffering.  During these trying times, we hope the above can help you!  If you find this useful, please share it with your friends!”

As you may have noticed in the videos above, Buddhism is often touted as a way to alleviate suffering.  I would say it doesn’t alleviate suffering at all, but it is a way to cope with suffering.  The predominant Buddhist method of coping with human suffering is through the management and suppression of desire.  This is usually done through the following methods.

• Avoiding that which arouses desire, including certain people.
• Fasting / Vegetarianism
• Isolation
• Meditation
• Prayer
• Self-discipline
• Staying out of sin, temptation, and trouble.

Many Buddhists are vegetarians, partly out of their concern for the suffering of reincarnated animals, and partly because eating meat energizes the body, boosts libido, and enhances desire in general.  So avoiding the consumption of meat tends to make it easier to soothe the savage beast inside the soul.  In addition, vegetarianism is espoused because there is a belief that causing the suffering of other life forms tends to increase one’s own sufferings, if not in this life, then in the next.

A humorous cultural note.  In China and Taiwan, there is a popular pork stew called “Jumping Buddha soup”, so named because the aroma is so delicious that strict vegetarians will jump out of their seats and run away to escape the temptation of eating it.

Buddhists’ Regard for Christianity

Christianity is generally very well regarded by Buddhists, although there are exceptions.

People in Asia usually interpret Christianity as a very permissive, yet simultaneously a very demanding religion. (For example, Jesus forgave prostitutes, thieves, tax collectors, and those who betrayed Him, but He also asked them to forgive others, give all their possessions to the poor, go the extra mile, lay down their lives, turn the other cheek, sacrifice themselves for the good of others, and so on.)  For these reasons, Christianity is generally seen by those in Asia as a religion embraced by those who have committed major transgressions or who have been forced by life circumstances to be morally compromising.  It’s very hard for them to get past the “salvation by works” mentality inherent in Buddhism.

Buddhists also believe that the Way of Christ and the cross, including the sufferings of righteousness, enable one to bypass all future reincarnations and lead one directly to Nirvana (heaven).  (Yes, Buddhists “believe” in Jesus.)  There are some homeless people here in Taiwan who have done just that (giving away all their possessions, sacrificing their lives, etc.), and yes, everyone in society, including their own families, despises and rejects them for this, just as Christ predicted.  They are seen as foolish and irresponsible by unbelievers, and as admirable martyrs by believers.

Most Christians I’ve known in Taiwan were Buddhist before their conversion to Christianity.  I’ve heard it said that “Christianity is Buddhism perfected”, meaning that one’s faith in God allows them to face their desires, fears, and sins, and “evolve” into the perfect likeness of God, thus allowing them to attain eternal bliss.

Related

• Σ Frame: Foundations of Cultural Ethics and Chivalry (2018/2/18)
• Σ Frame: Patriarchy is the Default Context (2021/6/2)
• Σ Frame: On the Discernment of Desire (2021/9/24)
• Meeting the Masters: The Materialism of Buddhism (2022/10/12)
• Aaron Renn (guest post from the author of The Social Pathologist): The Heresy of Christian Buddhism (2024/5/7)