The Cultural Plague, Part II

"Culturalizing is a thief." I just thought that phrase up. It's one of the truest things I have learned, in the last forty-three years of life, especially as I became a victim of persons who did not believe in the true God. Of course, at the end of days, everyone will finally realize the truth about who the Creator was. But what do we do in the meantime, about all this multicultural trash? Pile it up and decorate it for Christmas?

Many people struggle to distinguish between authentic cultural appreciation and superficial religious practices. One of the religions that most clearly highlights this aberration is Buddhism. In fact, I am dubbing Buddhism the primordial Beast of Confusion. It gorges individuals navigating through spiritual paths, attempting to swallow every believer in Christ whole. To expose its lies, this post examines the origins of Buddhism, its significance, and the misconceptions that can mislead those seeking genuine peace.

Origins of Buddhism

Buddhism began in India between the 5th and 4th centuries BCE, founded by Siddhartha Gautama, who became "the Buddha." Born into a royal family, the claim of Buddhism is that Siddhartha witnessed profound human suffering through his own eyes. In fact, the story is very Disney-like; a prince in disguise, walking the poor streets of his districts, who becomes driven by the realization that, while he was rich, his people were not. Thus, he abandoned his luxurious life in search of enlightenment. After years of asceticism and meditation, he appears to have attained profound insight, what earned him the title "the Enlightened One."

The core of Buddhism is based on four so-called "Noble Truths." These truths explain:

1. "Dukkha": The reality of suffering.

2. "Tanha": The origins of suffering, rooted in craving.

3. "Nirvana": The cessation of suffering.

4. "The Eightfold Path": The supposed way to end suffering.

   
   

Okay, Now, What Is Buddhism?

The term "Buddhism" is derived from "Buddha," which means "to awaken." It represents a collection of philosophies and practices aimed at "enlightenment" and "ending the cycle of rebirth."

Yikes. "Ending the cycle of rebirth"? Yes, the Buddha actually claimed to know how to do this, just by practicing a few mantras and breathing exercises. Bold.

Buddhism encompasses both philosophy and religion. Some followers engage with its teachings personally, while others integrate them into more extensive religious practices. For instance, in Thailand, Buddhism is deeply woven into the culture, influencing daily life, festivals, and even governmental policies.

What Buddha Thought

Siddhartha's teachings revolve around mindfulness, ethical behavior, and mental discipline. He urged individuals to recognize life’s impermanence and seek self-understanding, which can ultimately lead to inner peace.

If he would have read the Bible, he would have saved himself a lot of trouble.

Originally, Buddhism served as a philosophical guide for harmonious living. However, as it spread throughout Asia, it absorbed various cultural elements, creating diverse interpretations. For example, Mahayana Buddhism emphasizes compassion and altruism, while Theravada Buddhism focuses on individual enlightenment.

Practices and Rites

Buddhist practitioners engage in many practices. Practicants believe they can achieve mindfulness and compassion through them. Meditation plays a central role.. Individuals seek to understand their thoughts and feelings this way, often said to be good fo stress relief, but also to gain focus and improve emotional well-being. And, you know, in some cases, it can work to meditate. I mean, if you concentrate on something long enough, it's bound to create a new physiological habit, like when Pavlov rang a bell whenever he was going to feed his dog and the dog salivated. In fact, studies show that regular meditation can increase focus by 40%. But what you put your mind to matters. And if it is not according to God's word, one day, it'll come back to bite you in the head.

Other buddhist rituals, more religiously inclined, include chanting, making offerings to the Buddha, and celebrating festivals like Vesak, which marks the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death. Temples serve as communal spaces for prayer and learning, and "spiritual growth."

Confusion, Illusion

Many individuals seeking peace and personal success reference Buddhism, leading to confusion about the concept of righteousness. But true righteousness resides solely with God. Worshiping Him provides believers with the only genuine form of success and fulfillment.

While some individuals experience positive changes through Buddhist practices. For instance, studies have shown that 72% of people using mindfulness techniques see improvements in their mental health. But that is mindfulness, not Buddhism. The actual practice of Buddhism attaches people to tools and practices wherein a follower of Buddha will inherit happiness that often comes from transient, worldly comforts rather than a lasting spiritual foundation, and an empty religion that promises things it cannot fulfill. In short, any improvement in mind, body and lifestyle will be fleeting without a connection to spiritual truths.

The Superfad: Yoga and Meditation

Yoga and meditation are increasingly popular for achieving peace and tranquility. Originally linked to Buddhist practices, yoga aimed to develop physical and mental discipline. Now, according to a study by the International Journal of Yoga, 64% of practitioners use yoga primarily for fitness rather than spiritual purposes. While this shift leads practitioners away from the deeper, more dangerous meanings behind these practices, yoga is still a practice that Believers should stay away from. Spiritual influence often flock to things such as idols and practices that are original to false prophecy and religion.

What is worse, yoga and Buddhist methods of "enlightenment" are overutilized by psychology in the attempt to cure patients from conditions such as anxiety, depression, and even psychosis. They believe that these practices promote relaxation that influences the nervous system and redirect hormonal hyperactivity or underactivity. But this is also the reason why therapists cannot cure their patients, and they have to keep coming back or end up taking psychotropics for the rest of their lives. Or has no one heard the phrase: "Bring me my Valium!" when someone feels like an event might be a little unbearable?

It's become a joke, that the Western world is so anxious they can't function without medication. But that's because medical practitioners are missing the key ingredient to cure all ailments. They don't have the basic understanding of how the entire body of a human being is made to worship God, and so cannot treat a person with all of the possible tools a person needs to be treated with, to regain our original blueprint. They resort to yoga and breathing exercises and mantras that only require more yoga, more breathing, and more mantras that, eventually, stop leading you out of stress and don't bring you everlasting joy. They also don't save your soul.

Comparing Buddhism and Christianity

Buddhism offers insights into mental discipline and coping with suffering, but Christianity emphasizes a relationship with Yeshua Christ. Believers have direct access to God's love and truth, with the promise of resurrection and eternal life. Nirvana is a myth created by Asians, to indulge in the idea that they can reach heaven. But, like all things that Satan calls truth, this is also a lie.

Unlike Buddhism, which does not guarantee redemption, belief in Christ assures people of heaven and spiritual rebirth. And we only have to die once, to get there! In contrast, a Buddhist will have to "reincarnate" a million times, to even have the chance to get into heaven. They're a hopeless lot, these folks! And if you only knew how much they fast and smile at people. Such "enlightenment."

Point blank, you need a relationship with Christ for true life fulfillment. If you want a rite, a practice, something that you can do daily to "connect with yourself on a deeper, more personal basis," and to achieve the light of all life, then look no further than the Bible.

When I read the Bible, I was a ball of darkness. Christ washed me clean from all the filth that the enemy had brought into my life. For Buddhists, let me give you this image: I lived in a house and an intruder that kept telling me he was a friend started bringing me things. I liked things the things he brought me. I felt happy with them. I thought they gave me tranquility (smoking), love (premarital, perverted sex, and domestic abuse), I thought they made me cool (cursing and perverted jokes), and that they made me look good (clothes that promoted sexuality). He kept on bringing things, because I allowed him to keep coming back. He said he was my friend, so it was okay.

"Here, take these tarot cards," he told me once. "What for?" I asked. "Because you want to know things that God won't tell you." I didn't know that God wouldn't tell me. "But I want God to tell me things, too." The devil lied, "Well, if you read the tarot, you will know them for yourself." And so, I took the cards and started getting all these "answers." I was so ecstatic that I was being answered so fast by these magical cards, that I asked every day, and even made little rituals to go with it.

But guess what happened, one day? He started taking stuff out of my house that other people had put in, and that even I had put in there. "Your family takes up too much space. I'm going to have to take them out." I liked my family! But this friend thought they were too numerous and loved me too much. "They bother me," he said, chuckling, as if I would understand. He also wanted to take God out. "He's just hanging around your house, still. He has this guy who keeps popping up at your door. A Yeshua something. He has to go."

So, you see... I couldn't keep taking his stuff or letting him come back. Because I kind of liked God "hanging around," even though I was a sinner. And when he said these words, I decided that I had to give the stuff that this supposed friend had brought. He didn't want to take them back. It's been a big struggle. When he wouldn't go, I cried out to my backyard friend, to the one at the door, to the ones guarding the windows, and the ones keeping the roof. "HELP!" And God came to the rescue. I didn't need yoga or breathing exercises. I stopped reciting all my mantras, gave up all my books, my TV, my Playstation... I gave up my whole life. Because now something big was moving in, and he was bringing a lot of really nice things of his own.

"Here, Karilin, take this rug, to clean your feet when you come in. Have water in your fridge, always. Also, I invited a new friend over. It's called Bible"

"Why?'

"Because it likes to clean, and your house is really messy! Don't worry, I got you the best in the business."

Don't you want someone to come into your house and help you clean up? It was the best decision I made. And it was free!

Seeking Authentic Fulfillment

It is crucial to remain anchored in the pursuit of truth. Culturalizing can lead to misunderstandings and spiritual confusion, pushing individuals toward practices that may not provide the genuine peace they seek. Real peace and happiness come from a relationship with God and an understanding of His Word. While it’s enriching to appreciate other cultures, discernment is essential in identifying where true fulfillment lies. Ultimately, it's in Christ that we discover our purpose, helping us navigate life with clarity and an inner peace that transcends all understanding.