In this Episode:

• Richard grew up in the skid row area of Seattle. Richard learned about Karma from his parents at an early age. His family practiced Buddhism at home. By the time Richard was in high school he was very proud of his Buddhist faith.
• One day Richard’s brother announced that he had become a Christian. Richard began to notice the change in his brother’s life and engaged in intense discussions with him.
• Richard’s brother was a safe person who loved Richard. The Holy Spirit worked in Richard’s life as he began to read the Bible. Richard began to compare Buddhism and Christianity. He noticed that Christianity taught that Christ came down to earth and that through him we can have a relationship with God. He received Christ at the age on 19.
• Karma is basically the teaching that for every cause there is an effect. Richard found comfort in comparing himself to others, and thought that as long as he was doing better than others that he would fare better than them in his next life.
• Buddhism started in 500 BC. Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) was a prince whose father forbade him from going outside the palace. Buddha snuck outside of the palace and was bothered by the sight of an old man, a dead person, a sick person, and a monk. He left the palace to seek truth and was enlightened with the Four Noble Truths. He began to teach these concepts to those around him.
• There are several forms of Buddhism. Mahayana (Eastern) Buddhism is the largest form and has an emphasis on enlightenment as a group. Theravada (Southern) Buddhism has an emphasis on individual pursuit of enlightenment. Vajrayana (Northern) Buddhism can include Tibetan Buddhism.  
• The core teachings of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path are common in all forms. Practices and emphasis on certain sutras (teachings) can vary.
• “Buddha” is a title meaning “enlightened one”. The Four Noble Truths include the truth of suffering, the truth of the cause of suffering, the truth of extinction, and the truth of the path that leads to extinction. Extinction is to get rid of selfish desires and become one with the universe and at peace with the universe.
• The eightfold path includes right view, right thinking, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right endeavor, right mindfulness, and right meditation.
• The five basic moral precepts (out of 10) include not harming living things, always telling the truth, not engaging in immoral sex, not stealing, and not drinking or taking drugs.
• There is no concept of a personal, creator God in traditional Buddhism. The idea of a relationship with God was very foreign to Richard and his friends.
• For Richard and many of his friends, Buddhist teachings did not offer practical solutions to problems in family life and other areas of life. Richard had dissatisfaction, doubts, and confusion in his walk as a Buddhist.
• Richard now encourages believers to find common ground with Buddhists in how people should treat each other.
• Richard cautions believers to not become frustrated, angry, or upset when arguments arise. He encourages believers to keep loving and befriending people, sharing what God has done, and waiting for God to work in their hearts.
• Richard encourages Christians to naturally explain who the personal, living, creator God is.
• It is important for Christ-followers to be “safe people” who will befriend, love and care for Buddhists even if the relationship and conversation is challenged.
• Richard recommends the books “The Gospel Facing Buddhist Cultures” by Alex Smith and “From Buddha to Jesus” by Steve Cioccolanti.
• Books written by Buddhists can also be informative such as “Buddhism for Today: A Modern Interpretation of the Threefold Lotus Sutra” by Nikkyo Niwano.
• Richard is currently in Seattle working with the Diaspora | North America ministry of SEND International sharing the gospel and discipling Japanese people.
• There is a page on the SEND website called “Path to Peace: Lighting the Way for Buddhists” with resources and opportunities to reach out to Buddhists.
• To contact Richard email rich@send.jp