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Buddhism

Explore the foundations of Buddhism, the life and teachings of the Buddha, major branches, practices, and beliefs, and its influence on society and culture. This course also suggests how Christians can interact with Buddhists.
Number of lessons: 16
Total length: 16 hours and 1 minute
Format: Audio
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About This Class

In this course, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of Buddhism, including its historical background, key concepts, and major branches. You will explore the life and teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, and learn about the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. You will examine the differences between Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana Buddhism and learn about various practices and beliefs. Lastly, you will study how Christians can share hope and God's salvation with Buddhists.

Recommended reading

Buddhist Priests Choose Christ, John R. Terry, published by Dawn Press, 1989 
The Unexpected Way, Paul Williams (CBD) 
Sharing Jesus Effectively in the Buddhist World, David Lim and Spalding (CBD)

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About the Professor

Timothy Tennent

Dr. Timothy Tennent, the Methodist Chair of Divinity at Samford University’s Beeson Divinity School, previously served 15 years as president of Asbury Theological Seminary. A former professor at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Tennent is an ordained Methodist pastor and global conference speaker. Tennent is the author of several books on theology and missions. He and his wife, Julie, have two adult children and are actively involved in ministry.

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Timothy Tennent

Lessons

  • 1. Emergence of Buddhism (Part 1)
    Gain knowledge about Buddhism's development, its major traditions, and its interaction with Christianity, focusing on both theoretical and practical aspects for mission work in Southeast Asia.
  • 2. Emergence of Buddhism (Part 2)
    Learn about Siddhartha Gautama's exposure to suffering and renunciation, his quest to break the Wheel of Samsara, and his eventual enlightenment, emphasizing the middle way between asceticism and indulgence.
  • 3. The First Two Sermons (Part 1)
    Learn about the foundational teachings of the Buddha, including the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, the causes of sorrow rooted in desire, and the cessation of desire leading to Nirvana, forming the essential structure of Buddhism despite its diversity.
  • 4. The First Two Sermons (Part 2)
    Gain an understanding of Buddhism's explanation of the human condition, the five aggregates, the doctrine of dependent arising, and the significance of breaking the chain of causality to achieve liberation, as well as the different realms of existence within samsara.
  • 5. The Way of the Elders
    Discover the origins of Buddhism, explore the three refuges and jewels, learn about the three baskets of teachings, and delve into the history and philosophy of Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism, including monastic practices and transmission of teachings.
  • 6. Mahayana Buddhism: New Insights
    Explore how Mahayana Buddhism transforms traditional Buddhist practices by introducing new teachings, expanding the concept of the Buddha, and incorporating a messianic path through bodhisattvas who assist others in achieving enlightenment.
  • 7. The Mahayana Sutras
    Gain insights into Mahayana Buddhism's secret teachings, Bodhisattva ideals, and philosophical concept of emptiness, exploring key texts and understanding their ethical and historical significance.
  • 8. The Journey of the Bodhisattva
    Explore the journey of bodhisattvas, focusing on their significance, the six perfections, and popular figures like Maitreya and Manjushri, emphasizing the importance of moral actions, speech control, and the struggle to overcome negative thoughts, with parallels to Christian teachings.
  • 9. The Rise of Buddhist Philosophy
    Examine the second main objection to Buddhist thought, focusing on the illusory nature of worship objects, comparing them to Christian visualizations, and highlighting the practical and philosophical inconsistencies in Buddhist practices.
  • 10. Mahayana Buddhist Schools and Lineages (Part 1)
    Discover the significance of Buddhism's two great renunciations, explore the Four Noble Truths and dependent origination, learn about the three vehicles and their goals, and delve into the ethical contributions and development of Mahayana Buddhism, Pure Land practice, and Chinese cultural influences.
  • 11. Mahayana Buddhist Schools and Lineages (Part 2)
    Explore how modern Christianity sometimes blends with other philosophies, critiques this trend, emphasizes core beliefs, and examines significant Buddhist-to-Christian conversions and detailed Buddhist practices.
  • 12. Explorations in Buddhist Apologetics (Part 1)
    Gain knowledge about five critical mudras in Buddhism, their meanings, and their cultural significance, along with insights into Buddhist iconography and conversion narratives to Christianity.
  • 13. Explorations in Buddhist Apologetics (Part 2)
    Explore the contrast between Western Christianity's merciful God and Buddhism's retributive deity. Discover a Buddhist convert's spiritual struggle and understand differing views on the self and impermanence. Emphasize the cultural context in religious discussions.
  • 14. Explorations in Buddhist Apologetics (Part 3)
    Explore why Buddhist converts embrace Christianity, addressing scientific and logical challenges to reincarnation. Discover how Christianity provides assurance against common fears, highlighting the importance of a holistic presentation of Christ and church planting.
  • 15. Explorations in Buddhist Apologetics (Part 4)
    Discover ten essential theological differences between Christianity and Buddhism. Learn why it's crucial to uphold the historicity and objective truths of Christianity in interreligious dialogue.
  • 16. GlobalChristianity.org
    Guest lecturer, Todd Johnson, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, founder of the Center for the Study of Global Christianity.
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