Eastern Religions
OBJECTIVE
By the end of the module, students should understand the differences between Orthodoxy and other Christian denominations and religions. This lesson will discuss the differences between Orthodox Christianity and Far-Eastern religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism.
INTRODUCTION & HOOK - 10 Minutes
Last week, we discussed the differences between Orthodox Christianity and many different cults. We compared Orthodoxy to Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormonism and Seventh Day Adventism.
Ask the students, "Does anyone remember any details about the differences between our Faith and the other cults we talked about?"
Open Discussion with kids about last week's lesson with a possible kahoot to jog their memories about the previous lesson.
HOLY SCRIPTURE - 5 Minutes
As Coptic Orthodox Christians, we believe that we will die once and be resurrected on the day of judgement, unlike Buddhists who believe in attaining Nirvana, or Hindus, who believe you can be reincarnated multiple times.
Memory Verse - "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgement" (Hebrews 9 : 27)
CONTENT (KEY POINTS) - 30 Minutes
Transition into today's topic. Ask if any of the students know anything about Buddhism or Hinduism and proceed to the lesson. What did they learn in their history and social studies classes? Any personal experiences?
This lesson will be structured as follows: a brief introduction of both Hinduism and Buddhism, followed by what each says about various elements of faith. The table attached at the end of the lesson will also be helpful in comparing and contrasting elements of faith among Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism, and can be used throughout the lesson.
Hinduism
- Founded in present-day India about 1000 years B.C.
- Not really one religion, but many different beliefs that interact and blend with one another
- No known single founder, creed/statements of faith or agreed upon authority other than the voluminous sacred body of texts, known as Vedas, which were written over a 1400-year period, and the Bhagavad Gita
- The supreme being, or Brahman, is "The Absolute" a spirit that consists of every person
- Two foundational concepts that almost all Hindus believe: reincarnation and karma
- Reincarnation is the process the soul must endure until it reaches "moksha," which is liberation from suffering and uniting with the infinite (the end of
- Karma is the cumulative value of one's life actions, good minus bad, which determines one's reincarnation level after death. Positive karma would seemingly raise one's station and negative karma would lower it.
- Jesus Christ is an avatar (various deities) and a part of god, just like everyone else
- Yoga and meditation will help you to stop being reincarnated and be finally absorbed into the Brahman
- Some Hindus worship idols in temples or homes
Buddhism
- Started by Siddhartha Gautama, who later became known as the Buddha, or "Enlightened One"
- Founded in what is now Nepal as new type of Hinduism
- Believe in a book called the Mahavastu, meaning "Great Story" which is a collection of stories about the Buddha's life, as well as the Jataka Tales, which is a collection of stories about the former lives of the Buddha, the Tripitaka, and the Tantras
- The Buddha did not believe in a god, but Buddhists who follow him sometimes consider Buddha to be a god
- Jesus Christ is believed to be an enlightened teacher by some Buddhists, and an avatar by others
- The goal of Buddhists is to reach Nirvana, which is the elimination of all cravings and desires, doing this will supposedly allow you to escape suffering, which can be reached by following something called the Eightfold path and the Four Noble Truths.
- The Eightfold Path recommends various virtues like good intentions and mindfulness
- People aren't believed to have their own souls or spirits, but thoughts and desires may be reincarnated from person to person, and that desire is the root of suffering in humanity
- Meditation is an important part of Buddhism
- Some of the good virtues that Buddhists believe people should have are about the only thing they have in common with Orthodoxy
In the following sections, what each religion says about each faith aspect discussed below will be summarized.
God
Hinduism: Brahman = supreme reality. 3 main gods, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, and thousands, perhaps millions of gods/demigods
Buddhism: No absolute god (the idea of an ultimate god is actually opposed by Buddhists)
Christianity: One personal/supreme God who is Creator & Lord of everything that exists. He eternally exists as Triune God: Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Gen. 1; Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19.
Man and the Universe
Hinduism: The universe is not the creation of a personal god but is rather a sort of unconscious emanation from the divine. Beginning-less, endless, and an unreal illusion. The universe "pulsates," and is destroyed and recreated in cycles each lasting about 4 billion years. Each human soul is also beginning-less and has gone through a series of reincarnations. All present suffering is deserved based on one's karma, the accumulation of deeds done in past lives--and all present evil will be exactly repaid in the form of suffering in future lives.
Buddhism: Both the beginning and the ultimate nature of the world are left unexplained by the Buddha. All creatures, including man, are fictions: there is really no soul ("self")
Christianity: Mankind and the Universe was created by God, who is ever-existing and eternal. All humans are created with an eternal soul. Humanity is part of creation, but distinct from the rest of creation & from God. Human beings are created in God's image. Every person is a unique, precious being of dignity & worth. (Gen. 1:26-28). Suffering is ultimately a result of sin: by their free will, human beings have chosen to sin against God, rejecting His nature, & pursuing a course of life that is opposed to His essential character & revealed law (Gen.3; Rom. 3:23).
Salvation and the Afterlife
Hinduism: Goal of salvation = "Moskha" or escape from cycle of reincarnation, dissolving into an abyss of Brahman. Greatest obstacles to moksha are your own body, mind and personality. Through yoga, the body is controlled by the use of body postures, solitude and breathing exercises. The mind is restrained through meditation techniques using mantras.
Buddhism: Ignorance, rather than sin, is the roadblock to salvation, or attaining Nirvana. Nirvana literally means "blowing out," as with the flame of a candle--a transcendent, permanent state of...nothing. Four Noble Truths: Suffering is universal Cause of suffering is desire cure for suffering is overcoming ignorance and desire Must follow the Eightfold Path to overcome.
Christianity: Salvation- restoring man back in communion with God. Process rather than event. Freedom from the guilt & power of sin - is God's gift of grace through Christ's atonement, new nature received through baptism (Eph. 2:8-9). After death, the soul will live eternally with God in heaven, or away from Him in hell.
Conclusion
It is important to note that several aspects of Far-Eastern spirituality which has been secularized in today's culture and has become common practice among many people without realizing it's origins. For example, practices such as yoga have become known as a form of exercise/fitness, common phrases ("good karma/bad karma") and even elements of children TV shows/movies such as "Avatar" are based on these Eastern religions .
In summary, Hinduism allows for many different beliefs and that there is not absolute truth. However, as Orthodox Christians, we believe that our personal, loving God became incarnate only once in human history and teaches that He is "the way, the truth and the life," not many ways as Hinduism proposes. Our God created our souls for the purpose of communing with Him; we are not divine within ourselves. While our soul is eternal, it is appointed for men to die once and after this the judgment (Heb 9:27). There is no need for constant recycling because we serve a God of grace who gives us all we need on our path to Him---first and foremost the conquering of our greatest enemy death through His crucifixion and resurrection.
Additionally, Buddhism does not address the point of our existence; accordingly, because there is no god, there is no sin, which then eliminates the need for forgiveness. Buddha points out that everything relies on the individual's effort. Our Lord, on the other hand, offers forgiveness through His sacrifice and teaches us to turn our burdens over to Him and He will give us power to live successfully and in communion with Him.
DISCUSSION (Challenge) - 5 Minutes
- Name some similarities and/or differences between Christianity and Hinduism or Buddhism.
- Contemplate: After learning about other religions, what aspect of our faith do you appreciate more that is unique to Christianity?
LIFE APPLICATION - 5 Minutes
Discuss the importance of knowing our own faith and the religions of others so we can defend the faith.