Summer Sermon Series Our Neighbors Faith, Augsburg Fortress Publishing, July 2, 2023,
Buddhism Pastor Doug Givan, St. Andrew’s/Speedway and Faith/Avon
*This is not intended to be a full description of any faith tradition, just an overview, opinion only.
Buddhism
Buddhism: When I was working as a Chaplain, one of my colleagues was a Buddhist. This is the closest I come to knowing someone or anything about this faith tradition. In our resource, it is said that “trying to describe Buddhism is like trying to describe a snowflake.” There are different branches, sects, and schools of Buddhist thought. This all originates with the Buddhist himself and his openness and inclusiveness, named Gautama Buddha.
The name Buddha means “one who has been awakened” or enlightened and might be applied to any wise being who has a transcendent insight into the nature of reality. He was born in the first century in what is now known as India. At the core of Buddhism is the “Four Noble Truths”: life is suffering, there is a reason for this suffering, there is a way to end suffering, and the way to do that is the “Eightfold Path.”
These are under the headings of Wisdom, Morality and Concentration: Right views, right aspirations, right speech and conduct and living. Putting forth the right effort, mindfulness and meditation. Buddhist believe following this eight-fold path leads to “Nirvana” which means the end of all suffering.
Despite repression in many Communist countries, Buddhism remains a vital force in the world today, especially in Asia and in North America offering people of all faiths understanding of the human condition and the causes and cures for suffering.
For More Info: Buddha by Karen Armstrong (Penguin 2004)
https://www.buddhanet.net
