Buddhism - Lesson 12
Explorations in Buddhist Apologetics (Part 1)
Buddhist mudras are hand gestures which have physical and spiritual significance. Family ties in a shame-based culture may often place significant social pressures on a person considering converting from Buddhism to Christianity.

Explorations in Buddhist Apologetics (Part 1)
Penetrating the Buddhist Heart
Part 1
I. Buddhist Mudras
A. Enlightenment
B. Teaching
C. Compassion
D. Prayer
E. Calling earth to witness
II. Explorations in Buddhist Apologetics (part 1)
A. Ten Insights from Buddhist converts: an inside view
1. If you meet Christ on the road, you should worship Him:
The historicity of the Christian claims
2. But, what will mom and dad say? Family Ties in a “shame” based culture
Shame Culture: Eastern world has historically been guided by strong corporate, group conformity. If someone does not maintain a good appearance and earn the good opinion of others, then there is a sense of / feeling of shame. It is important to keep one’s duty to family and society.
Guilt Culture: Western world has historically been guided by strong personal standards (internalized through sacred texts) which, if violated by sinful behavior, create a sense of personal guilt.
Terms to know from this lecture:
Mudra
Shame vs. guilt culture
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Definition of Buddhism and a description of how it began and its present status as a world religion.
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Experiences in Siddhartha Gautama's life, and how they led the teachings that resulted in the formation of Buddhism.
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The First Sermon of Buddha
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Description of the five aggregates and the foundational doctrine of Buddhism.
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Therevada emerged as the preserver of the Way of the Elders. The three jewels of the Therevada are the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha.
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The three insights of Mahayana Buddhism are that Buddha taught secret truths, the Buddha was a divine being and a dharmic concept, not just an earthly figure, and Gautama was not the only Buddha.
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The Mahayana Sutras include the Perfection of Wisdom Sutras, Lotus Sutra, Heart Sutra, Vimalakirti Sutra and the Lankavatara Sutra.
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A bodhisattva is an enlightened one who, out of compassion, forgoes nirvana in order to save others.
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In Buddhism, actual objects of worship and adoration are ultimately illusory and superseded by true enlightenment. (This lecture begins in the outline, point IX. The Rise of Buddhist Philosophy, point D, #2. The lecture covering IX, points A, B, C and D #1 is not available, but Dr. Tennent is planning to record it.)
0% Complete Two invocational Mahayana Buddhist Schools are Chinese “Pure Land” Buddhism and Japanese “Pure Land” Buddhism.
0% CompleteChinese and Japanese Meditative Buddhism includes Zen Buddhism.
0% CompleteBuddhist mudras are hand gestures which have physical and spiritual significance. Family ties in a shame-based culture may often place significant social pressures on a person considering converting from Buddhism to Christianity.
0% CompleteThe incarnation means that Jesus is both fully God and fully man and came to earth as God in the flesh.
0% CompleteThe doctrines of transmigration and reincarnation are central to Buddhism and provide no assurance for Buddhists of their ultimate spiritual destination.
0% CompleteBuddhism and Christianity have fundamental theological differences.
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Guest lecturer, Todd Johnson, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, founder of the Center for the Study of Global Christianity.
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This course is an overview of the religion of Buddhism. We are missing four lectures which cover the points in the outline: the rise of Buddhist philosophy, Vajranyana Buddhism, Korean Buddhism and Buddhism in America. Dr. Tennent will record these lessons the next time he lectures on Buddhism.