Following her devout mother's advice, when life got tough, Tomoko tried out a particular approach to Buddhism. But the advice she got there just didn't suit her life as an ex-pat Japanese. SEND’s diaspora ministry helps Japanese like Tomoko explore Christianity in their own language while they’re in a new culture — and changes lives, like Tomoko's. Read the whole storyThe lotus flower, rooted in mud, grows and blossoms above the swamp in beauty and purity. This Buddhist image conveys peace in the midst of life’s hard realities. Many long to be like the lotus, to escape pain, to transcend trials, to find happiness and inner peace.
But in the end, even the lotus flower will fade, rot, and become part of the swamp from which it grew. Ironically, that is an accurate picture of the goal of Buddhism, which is to eliminate the “self” or the ego. Peace in Buddhism means being one with the universe, but it also means your hopes, dreams, longings, and desires have to be curtailed—even your desire for peace. Jesus offers a peace that is complete, perfect, and full. The Prince of Peace came to put us back into a right relationship with our Creator God. He gives true peace, the longing of our souls.
The Bible says, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.” The lotus flower might be a beautiful symbol, but it represents a belief system that does not offer true peace. Throughout the world, SEND workers bring Jesus’ offer of peace to Buddhists. Here, you'll find their stories and prayer and other resources so that you, too, can be involved in helping Buddhists journey the path to peace.
More from Global Missions Podcast:
He tried hard to be a good Buddhist, but found no peace there The Missions Blog
‘It doesn’ work.’ And yet, she still calls herself Buddhist The Missions Blog
Accept the Unexpected SEND Canada
The True God at Work SEND Canada
7-day prayer guide for your Buddhist friends and neighbors
30 Days of Prayer for Isaan prayer guide for one of Thailand’s least-reached people groups
Joshua Project’s unreached Buddhist people groups information
Change the Map’s Instagram prayer feedexclusively about Buddhists
Related articles:
Beyond Buddah to Beloved Christianity Today
How Buddhism Taught Me to Love My Neighbors Better alifeoverseas.com
Videos:
I Will Not Bow Down (Thailand) SEND
Spiritual (Japan) SEND
The One True God (Taiwan) SEND
Never Alone (Russia) SEND
Books:
From Buddha to Jesus: An Insider’ View of Buddhism and Christianity by Steve Cioccolanti
A Christian’s Pocket Guide to Buddhism by Alex Smith
The Lotus and the Cross: Jesus Talks with Buddha by Ravi Zacharias
On the field: SEND missionaries engage the unreached in more than 20 countries across the globe. We work together in teams, supporting one another in ministry and in growth in Christ. We mentor new missionaries to help them learn to make disciples in their new culture. Explore our opportunities to make disciples among the unreached.
SEND’s Buddhist ministries: Use these ministry guides to learn more about our work in countries with Buddhist populations.
Supporting the following projects directly impacts SEND’s ability to continue and expand our work among Buddhists.
