By Darlene Franklin

Ask your average church member about Buddhism   (the Middle Way), and that person might mention meditation or fat statues with Asian features. Not many would consider it a major influence on North American religious thought.

Guess again. The 1960s counterculture pushed growth among Buddhists in the U.S. to numbers estimated to be as high as two million today. 

Publicly embraced by celebrities such as Tina Turner, Phil Jackson and Richard Gere, Buddhism is seen as a mainstream form of spirituality.

Buddhism points to a single founder, Siddhartha Gautama, who lived in the sixth century B.C. in India. He was raised a prince, a position he renounced at age 29 before setting out in search of the way of salvation. After 40 days and nights under a tree, he attained nirvana (see sidebar), the highest degree of god-consciousness.  He became the Buddha, or enlightened one, and by the time he died, had converted thousands.

A path to nowhere
At the core of Buddhism are the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. The four truths are a way of transcending reality by understanding and embracing the ideas that suffering is inevitable, the root of suffering is desire, eliminating desire can eliminate suffering, and the key to eliminating desire is the Eightfold Path.  If one follows the path perfectly and eliminates desire, the adherent can attain nirvana and break free of the cycle of suffering, death and rebirth to more suffering. The Eightfold Path focuses on the characteristics of right living through ones viewpoint, aspiration, speech, behavior, occupation, effort, mindfulness and meditation.

There are three major schools of Buddhism (see sidebar). Zen Buddhism, the most prevalent Buddhist school of thought in the U.S., emphasizes reaching nirvana through meditation. Buddhas saying, Look within, you are the Buddha, summarizes Zen Buddhism teaching.

Since Buddhists look inward for salvation, they have a difficult time understanding our belief that a personal God gave Himself for our salvation. Because Buddhism is essentially atheistic and teaches that divine nature is within all people, finding common ground can be a difficult task.

Lighting the way
So, how do we share our faith with people who dont acknowledge needing anything outside themselves to find true salvation from their sin, spiritual suffering and decay? First of all, we must pray. Pray for opportunities to share and minister, for God to shine His light into the darkness created by Buddhism and offer to pray for your Buddhist friends and acquaintances. Your prayers mean a lot to that person, since he doesnt have a connection with God, says Jim Stephens, director of the Sonrise Center for Buddhist Studies.

We must know how what we believe differs from what Buddhists believe (see Comparison of Beliefs), and prepare to share our faith without using Christianese such as born again or salvation. Use the issues of salvation, suffering, the meaning of self, future hope, moral law and desire to bridge the gap between the false promise of Buddha and the reality of Jesus Christ. 

Dr. N.S.R.K. Ravi, a specialist in world religions and New Age, says to praise and appreciate all that is good, such as discipline and practices and ask questions such as What about the forgiveness of sins?  Will Buddhism guarantee salvation? Look for points of entry for the gospel presentation. Never argue with Buddhists, because they are very patient.  Remember that you may win the argument but lose their souls forever.

Commit yourself for the long haul. It took about 13 years for four Tibetan lamas to be open to the gospel and embrace it.

Stay alert and open to cultural differences.  One missionary couple sent their redheaded son with white chrysanthemums to visit a Chinese family.  He was greeted at the door with a cry of Theres a devil here whos brought death to our house. In that culture, red suggested evil omens and white was associated with death.

Because of the cultural value placed on family, Asian Buddhists will respond to an invitation into your home and your life before they will respond to questions on the receiving end of a gospel tract.

Remember that their actions are probably more driven by shame than by guilt.  Avoid situations that would make your friend lose face. This may mean giving your Buddhist friend a piece of Christian literature, so they can read it in the privacy of their home and avoid embarrassment.

Western Buddhists tend to come from the counterculture rather than mainstream America. They may be more serious than Buddhists from an Asian background.  With any Buddhist, ask what they believe. They dont all believe exactly the same way.

The right combination
The most meaningful witness to a Buddhist is sharing our personal testimony and demonstrating the love of God. Dr. Daniel Heimbach, professor of Christian Ethics at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, says, Share your own testimony, especially your freedom from guilt (caused by sin), assurance of heaven (no more pain) and personal relationship with Christ. 

Since Buddhism avoids suffering, Buddhists are unprepared for compassion and love demonstrated by Christians. Mike Lacanilau with Far East Broadcasting Company in Okinawa tells of a Soka Gakkai (see sidebar) guard who despised the Christian missionaries who worked  at the radio station.  Rather than returning his hatred, Mike greeted the guard with a cheerful Good morning! daily.  What finally broke through to the guard? The fact that Mike cared enough to find out and wish him Happy Birthday!

Jim Stephens spent 14 years practicing Buddhism. He questioned his faith when the leaders turned their back on him after a paralyzing accident in Japan. Christians ministered to him in his place of suffering. Now Jim leads the Sonrise Center for Buddhist Studies, one of the United States leading training centers for Christians who want to reach Buddhists. 

If you want more information on how to be on mission with Buddhists, contact the Interfaith Evangelism team at the North American Mission Board (www.namb.net) or the Sonrise Center for Buddhist Studies (www.sonrisecenter.org).

Darlene Franklin is a writer living in Englewood, Colorado.