Everyone is talking about mindfulness these days, but where does this idea come from & is it compatible with the Bible?

1. the Truth about
Buddhism

2. Buddhism is a
philosophy based on
the teachings of
Gautama Buddha.

3. Tradition Beliefs
Spiritual
Practices

4. Buddha, “the awakened
one”, lived & taught in
India around the 6th-4th
centuries B.C.E.

5. “I have taught one
thing and one thing
only, dukkha and
the cessation of
dukkha.”
- The Buddha

6. Human
Suffering
Anxiety Stress Disappointment

7. 1. The Truth of
Dukkha-
Life is Suffering
2. The Truth of the
Origin of Dukkha-
Suffering has a
cause.
3. The Truth of the
Cessation of
Dukkha-
Suffering has an
end.
4. The Truth of the
Path of Liberation
from Dukkha-
8 fold path to end
suffering.
There are 4 ‘Noble Truths’ of Buddhism:

8. 1. Perfect view or understanding
2. Perfect thought or attitude
3. Perfect speech
4. Perfect action
5. Perfect livelihood
6. Perfect effort
7. Perfect mindfulness
8. Perfect Enlightenment
Buddhism teaches an 8 Fold Path to
Overcoming Dukkha
The 8 fold path is often translated as
“right” view, “right” thought, etc. , but
according to one adherent it’s better
translated as perfect & complete
because there is no concept of right &
wrong- just different & incomplete.

9. According to Buddhism, the
main path to overcoming
suffering is: Meditation
or the practice of
mindfulness.

10. Meditation is the
practice of
centering oneself
& clearing one’s
mind.
meditation takes
you into a
different reality or
dimension.
Meditation
involves breathing
practices,
exercises, and/or
chanting.
Mindfulness is achieved through meditation.

11. The ultimate goal of
Buddhism is Nirvana.

12. Unbound
Compared
to a flame
burning by
itself
Beyond
human
under-
standing
Full
understanding
can only come
outside of time
& space.

13. Buddhists Basics
Meditation is
important
No belief in
God
Believe in
humanity’s
ability to save
itself
Humans can
become little
Buddha’s
Right & Wrong
is determined
by knowing
oneself
Continual
rebirth until
Nirvana is
achieved
300 million people follow the
teachings of Buddha.
Buddhists seek human wisdom &
faith doesn’t play a part.
Buddhists bow to statues of Buddha
to show honor.
Buddhists believe in karma i.e. if
you’re born handicapped, maybe it’s
due to the actions in another life.
Buddhism 101:

14. Sounds good
right???

15. WRONG!

16. Let’s compare
Buddhism to an
ancient text that has
stood the test of
time…

17. The
Bible

18. Human
Suffering
Anxiety Stress Disappointment

19. Yes it
does!!!

20. Jesus healed many
who suffered!
The news about Him
spread throughout all
Syria; and they brought
to Him all who were ill,
those suffering with
various diseases and
pains,
demoniacs, epileptics,
paralytics; and He
healed them.
-Matthew 4:24

21. The followers of
Jesus taught about
anxiety…
Be anxious for
nothing, but in
everything by prayer
and supplication
with thanksgiving let
your requests be
made known to God.
-Philippians 4:6

22. Jesus taught His
followers that worry &
stress would never add 1
day to their lives…
So do
not worry about
tomorrow; for
tomorrow will care
for itself. Each day
has enough trouble
of its own.
-Matthew 6:34

23. The ancient book of
Psalms taught about
disappointment…
To You (God) they
(Israelites) cried
out and were
delivered;
In You (God) they
trusted and were
not disappointed.
-Psalm 22:5

24. 1. The Truth
of Dukkha-
Life is
Suffering
2. The Truth
of the Origin
of Dukkha-
Suffering has
a cause.
3. The Truth
of the
Cessation of
Dukkha-
Suffering has
an end.
4. The Truth
of the Path of
Liberation
from Dukkha-
8 fold path to
end suffering.
Does the Bible have
“noble” truths about life,
suffering, the end of
suffering, & the path to
life?

25. Yes it does!
For His
lovingkindness is
great toward us,
And the truth of the
LORD is everlasting.
Praise the LORD!
-Psalm 117:2

26. 1. The Truth
of Dukkha-
Life is
Suffering
2. The Truth
of the Origin
of Dukkha-
Suffering has
a cause.
3. The Truth
of the
Cessation of
Dukkha-
Suffering has
an end.
4. The Truth
of the Path of
Liberation
from Dukkha-
8 fold path to
end suffering.
Does the Bible say that
life is suffering?

27. The Bible does not pretend that
suffering does not exist, rather it
provides hope in the midst of
suffering!
For I consider that
the sufferings of this
present time are not
worthy to be
compared with the
glory that is to be
revealed to us.
-Romans 8:18

28. 1. The Truth
of Dukkha-
Life is
Suffering
2. The Truth
of the Origin
of Dukkha-
Suffering has
a cause.
3. The Truth
of the
Cessation of
Dukkha-
Suffering has
an end.
4. The Truth
of the Path of
Liberation
from Dukkha-
8 fold path to
end suffering.
Does the Bible reveal the
cause of suffering?

29. Yes it does! The root cause
of suffering is man’s
disobedience to God…
Therefore, just as
through one
man sin entered into
the world, and death
through sin, and so
death spread to all
men, because all
sinned—
-Romans 5:12

30. 1. The Truth
of Dukkha-
Life is
Suffering
2. The Truth
of the Origin
of Dukkha-
Suffering has
a cause.
3. The Truth
of the
Cessation of
Dukkha-
Suffering has
an end.
4. The Truth
of the Path of
Liberation
from Dukkha-
8 fold path to
end suffering.
Does the Bible promise an
end to suffering?

31. Yes it does!
He (God)
will wipe away every
tear from their eyes;
and there will no
longer be any death;
there will no longer
be any mourning, or
crying, or pain; the
first things have
passed away.
-Revelation 21:4

32. 1. The Truth
of Dukkha-
Life is
Suffering
2. The Truth
of the Origin
of Dukkha-
Suffering has
a cause.
3. The Truth
of the
Cessation of
Dukkha-
Suffering has
an end.
4. The Truth
of the Path of
Liberation
from Dukkha-
8 fold path to
end suffering.
Does the Bible provide a
path to overcoming
suffering?

33. Yes- His name is Jesus!
I have told you all this so
that you may have peace
in me (Jesus). Here on
earth you will have many
trials and sorrows. But
take heart, because I
(Jesus) have overcome
the world.
- John 16:33

34. Does the Bible
teach perfection
based on human
effort?

35. The Bible teaches that
Jesus is perfect & His
followers are being made
like Him.
And having been
made perfect, He
became to all those
who obey Him the
source of eternal
salvation.
- Hebrews 5:9

36. 1. Perfect view or understanding
2. Perfect thought or attitude
3. Perfect speech
4. Perfect action
5. Perfect livelihood
6. Perfect effort
7. Perfect mindfulness
8. Perfect Enlightenment
Buddhism teaches an 8 Fold Path to
Overcoming Dukkha
Is it possible to have a
perfect/complete view
of suffering?

37. Yes! But only if you have
the right focus…
Fixing our eyes on Jesus,
the author and perfecter
of faith, who for the joy
set before Him endured
the cross, despising the
shame, and has sat
down at the right hand
of the throne of God.
- Hebrews 12:2

38. 1. Perfect view or understanding
2. Perfect thought or attitude
3. Perfect speech
4. Perfect action
5. Perfect livelihood
6. Perfect effort
7. Perfect mindfulness
8. Perfect Enlightenment
Buddhism teaches an 8 Fold Path to
Overcoming Dukkha
Can I have a
perfect/complete
thought life &
attitude?

39. Not without a new heart…
Out of the heart of men
proceed the evil
thoughts, fornications,
thefts, murders,
adulteries, deeds of
coveting and wickedness,
as well as deceit,
sensuality, envy,
slander, pride and foolish-
ness.
- Matthew 7:21-22

40. 1. Perfect view or understanding
2. Perfect thought or attitude
3. Perfect speech
4. Perfect action
5. Perfect livelihood
6. Perfect effort
7. Perfect mindfulness
8. Perfect Enlightenment
Buddhism teaches an 8 Fold Path to
Overcoming Dukkha
Can I have
perfect/complete
speech?

41. Once again, not without a
new heart…
But no one can
tame the
tongue; it is a
restless
evil and full of
deadly poison.
- James 1:26

42. 1. Perfect view or understanding
2. Perfect thought or attitude
3. Perfect speech
4. Perfect action
5. Perfect livelihood
6. Perfect effort
7. Perfect mindfulness
8. Perfect Enlightenment
Buddhism teaches an 8 Fold Path to
Overcoming Dukkha
Can I have a
perfect/complete
actions?

43. Not if you don’t believe in
God!
The fool has said in
his heart, “There is no
God.”
They are corrupt, they
have committed
abominable deeds;
There is no one who
does good.
- Psalm 14:1

44. 1. Perfect view or understanding
2. Perfect thought or attitude
3. Perfect speech
4. Perfect action
5. Perfect livelihood
6. Perfect effort
7. Perfect mindfulness
8. Perfect Enlightenment
Buddhism teaches an 8 Fold Path to
Overcoming Dukkha
Can I be completely
satisfied?

45. Not if you reject Jesus!
Jesus said to them,
“I am the bread of
life; he who comes
to Me will not
hunger, and he
who believes in
Me will never
thirst.”
-John 6:35

46. 1. Perfect view or understanding
2. Perfect thought or attitude
3. Perfect speech
4. Perfect action
5. Perfect livelihood
6. Perfect effort
7. Perfect mindfulness
8. Perfect Enlightenment
Buddhism teaches an 8 Fold Path to
Overcoming Dukkha
Can I have a
perfect/complete
efforts?

47. No! Our deeds will never
make us perfect…
God saved us, not on
the basis
of deeds which we
have done in
righteousness, but
according to His
mercy, by the washing
of regeneration and
renewing by the Holy
Spirit.
Timothy 3:5

48. 1. Perfect view or understanding
2. Perfect thought or attitude
3. Perfect speech
4. Perfect action
5. Perfect livelihood
6. Perfect effort
7. Perfect mindfulness
8. Perfect Enlightenment
Buddhism teaches an 8 Fold Path to
Overcoming Dukkha
Can my meditation be
perfect?

49. Not if you don’t believe in
God or His Word!
I have more insight
than all my
teachers,
For Your
testimonies are
my meditation.
Psalm 119:99

50. 1. Perfect view or understanding
2. Perfect thought or attitude
3. Perfect speech
4. Perfect action
5. Perfect livelihood
6. Perfect effort
7. Perfect mindfulness
8. Perfect Enlightenment
Buddhism teaches an 8 Fold Path to
Overcoming Dukkha
Can I have
perfect/complete
wisdom?

51. Not if you want wisdom
outside of following God’s
laws because that’s how sin
came into our world!
When the woman saw
that the tree was good for
food, and that it was a
delight to the eyes, and
that the tree was desirable
to make one wise, she
took from its fruit and ate;
and she gave also to her
husband with her, and he
ate.
Genesis 3:6

52. And you can’t have perfect
wisdom without Jesus!
That the
God of our Lord
Jesus Christ, the
Father of glory,
may give to you
a spirit of wisdom
and of revelation
in the
knowledge of Him.
Ephesians 1:17

53. Because man’s wisdom
makes a person look like a
fool before the God of the
Universe!
For the wisdom of
this world is
foolishness before
God. For it is written,
“He is THE ONE WHO
CATCHES THE WISE IN
THEIR CRAFTINESS.”
1 Corinthians 3:19

54. Meditation is the
practice of
centering oneself
& clearing one’s
mind.
Meditation takes
you into a
different reality or
dimension.
Meditation
involves breathing
practices,
exercises, and/or
chanting.
Does the Bible teach about meditation?

55. Yes! But, meditation is
prayer to God-either in
your heart, via spoken
words, or singing to God!
Let the words of my
mouth and the
meditation of my
heart
Be acceptable in Your
sight,
O LORD, my rock and
my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14

56. And, truly powerful
meditation does NOT
involve emptying your
mind…
The effective
(energetic) prayer
of a righteous man
can accomplish
much.
James 5:16

57. Only one person ever
emptied Himself…
(Christ) emptied Himself,
taking the form of a bond-
servant, and being made
in the likeness of men.
Being found in appearance
as a man, He humbled
Himself by becoming
obedient to the point of
death, even death on a
cross.
Philippians 2:7-8

58. And He is the only One able
to pass into another
dimension!
Therefore, since we
have a great high
priest who has passed
through the heavens,
Jesus the Son of God,
let us hold fast our
confession.
-Hebrews 4:14

59. 300 million people follow the
teachings of Buddha.
Buddhists seek human wisdom &
faith doesn’t play a part.
Buddhists bow to statues of Buddha
to show honor.
Buddhists believe in karma i.e. if
you’re born handicapped, maybe it’s
due to the actions in another life.
What does the Bible say
about making statues of
men?

60. Don’t make them!!!
“You shall not make for
yourselves idols, nor shall
you set up for yourselves
an image or a sacred pillar,
nor shall you place a
figured stone in your land
to bow down to it; for I am
the LORD your God.”
- Leviticus 26:1

61. 300 million people follow the
teachings of Buddha.
Buddhists seek human wisdom &
faith doesn’t play a part.
Buddhists bow to statues of Buddha
to show honor.
Buddhists believe in karma i.e. if
you’re born handicapped, maybe it’s
due to the actions in another life.
What does the Bible say
about Karma?

62. Nothing! Karma
originated in
ancient India.

63. But the Bible does teach
that you reap what you
sow…
Those who live only to
satisfy their own sinful
nature will harvest decay
and death from that sinful
nature. But those who live
to please the Spirit will
harvest everlasting life
from the Spirit.
-Galatians 6:8

64. 300 million people follow the
teachings of Buddha.
Buddhists seek human wisdom &
faith doesn’t play a part.
Buddhists bow to statues of Buddha
to show honor.
Buddhists believe in karma i.e. if
you’re born handicapped, maybe it’s
due to the actions in another life.
What does the Bible say
about faith?

65. FAITH in what’s unseen is
more important that faith
in what’s seen!
Then Jesus told him,
“You believe because
you have seen me.
Blessed are those
who believe without
seeing me.”
-John 20:29

66. 300 million people follow the
teachings of Buddha.
Buddhists seek human wisdom &
faith doesn’t play a part.
Buddhists bow to statues of Buddha
to show honor.
Buddhists believe in karma i.e. if
you’re born handicapped, maybe it’s
due to the actions in another life.
What does the Bible say
about those who don’t
follow Jesus Christ?

67. They are in
darkness!
Then Jesus again
spoke to them, saying,
“I am the Light of the
world; he who follows
Me will not walk
in the darkness, but
will
have the Light of life.”
-John 8:12

68. Buddhists Basics
Meditation is
important
Do not believe
in God
Believe in
humanity’s
ability to save
itself
Humans can
become little
Buddha’s
Right & Wrong
is determined
by knowing
oneself
Continual
rebirth until
Nirvana is
achieved

69. Good luck with that!
Salvation belongs
to the LORD!
-Psalm 3:8

70. Buddhists Basics
Meditation is
important
Do not believe
in God
Believe in
humanity’s
ability to save
itself
Humans can
become little
Buddha’s
Right & Wrong
is determined
by knowing
oneself
Continual
rebirth until
Nirvana is
achieved
What does the Bible
say about right &
wrong?

71. God gave His
creation a moral
code to live by…
God gave His
creation a moral
code to live by…

72. And there are
consequences for rejecting
His moral code…
For if God did not
spare angels when
they sinned, but cast
them into hell and
committed them to
pits of darkness,
reserved for
judgment…
-2 Peter 2:4

73. Buddhists Basics
Meditation is
important
Do not believe
in God
Believe in
humanity’s
ability to save
itself
Humans can
become little
Buddha’s
Right & Wrong
is determined
by knowing
oneself
Continual
rebirth until
Nirvana is
achieved
What does the Bible
say about
reincarnation?

74. It’s a lie!
And just as each
person is
destined to die
once and after
that comes
judgment.
Hebrews 9:27

75. Buddhists Basics
Meditation is
important
Do not believe
in God
Believe in
humanity’s
ability to save
itself
Humans can
become little
Buddha’s
Right & Wrong
is determined
by knowing
oneself
Continual
rebirth until
Nirvana is
achieved
Does the Bible teach
that Nirvana is the
ultimate goal?

76. Ummm NO, but it does
teach about…

77. Heaven- a literal place for
the redeemed & it will
“blow” your mind!
 Streets of gold
 Precious stones
 A River of Life
 The Tree of Life
 Healing Foods
 No curse of sin
 The Throne of God
 The Perfect, Lamb of God
 No need for the sun
 No death
 No crying
 No mourning
 No pain
-Revelation 21 & 22

78. So how can you get to
Heaven?

79. It’s surprisingly simple, but
rejected by many…
If
you confess with your
mouth Jesus as Lord,
and believe
in your heart that God
raised Him from the
dead, you will be
saved.
Romans 10:9

80. The Bible says that today is
the day of salvation…
The Bible says that today is
the day of salvation…
Prayer of Salvation
Heavenly Father,
I renounce every false teaching
outside of Your Word. I believe that
Jesus is Your Son & God in the flesh.
I believe that Jesus is the only way
to You. I know that I am a sinner,
and my good works will never make
me righteous. Clothe me in the
righteousness of Jesus Christ by His
shed blood on the Cross. Thank you
for filling me with the Holy Spirit
who will lead me and guide me into
all truth.
In Jesus’ name
Amen

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