I am confident that everyone is aware of the revelation of the adulterous life of one of America’s best known golfers. We probably should not be overly surprised about his sin, for this is just a continuation of the wave of immorality sweeping our land. Our governors, senators, representatives and presidents have lost their way, and it seems there is a daily revelation theft, sexual perversion, lying and corruption.
The interesting aspect about this revelation is that this sports hero believes his sinful actions can be overcome by a deeper devotion to the Buddhism he embraced from his youth. While Buddhism apparently is the fourth largest religion in the world, most are unaware of its origin and teachings.
It began more than 25 centuries ago in Nepal when Siddhartha Gautama developed his philosophy and began teaching it to others. He was the “Buddha,” the enlightened one. The religion is best viewed as a non-theistic one, with emphasis not on any supreme being but on self development. One teacher of Buddhism explains it by saying, “We shouldn’t rely on the power of an external, even if ‘divine,’ source for salvation or redemption.” One’s life is made better by personal experience and not beliefs or dogmas.
Those who know the Bible do not have to know every aspect of this religion to understand that it is foolish. Salvation does not come from within but from above. God said, “The way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jer. 10:23). There is no philosopher, modern or ancient, who knows how to direct his own steps. If he cannot direct his own steps, he cannot give directions to another. Did not Jesus say, “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch” (Luke 6:39).
The victory that overcomes the world, and the sin in it, is our faith (1 John 5:4). Since this faith comes only from the Bible (Rom. 10:17), there is no true victory without the help of the only true God.
Then there are all of those statues of the Buddhas throughout the world, which have become objects of devotion to the followers of this religion. Imagine praying to a tree or large rock and thinking help will come by such devotion. Such images are best understood by reading Psalm 115. “They have mouths, but they do not speak; they have eyes but they do not see; they have ears, but they do not hear. . . They have had hands, but they do not handle.”
Now contrast this with our living God with living eyes, ears, and hands to help us overcome sin! Think about it. Which avenue leads to forgiveness, righteousness and salvation?