Christianity and Eastern Religions

By Rose Publishing

A century ago the average person knew little to nothing about Eastern religions like Buddhism or Hinduism. But as globalization has brought the East and West together, eastern religious teachings and practices are rapidly influencing more and more western culture and beliefs. For example, in 1900 an estimated 1% of North Americans believed in Hindu or Buddhist reincarnation compared with approximately 25% of the U.S. population who believe in reincarnation today. With missionary zeal, Hindu gurus and Buddhist monks—such as the Dali Lama of Tibetan Buddhism and the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi of Transcendental Meditation—have traveled to the West to spread their beliefs. Some eastern religious beliefs and practices have been popularized in western culture through meditation, feng shui, martial arts, acupuncture, and Asian medicine. But the foundational beliefs of the eastern religious worldview remain in stark contrast to the Christian worldview. Christianity and Eastern Religions helps Christians understand their own beliefs as well as those of other religions.

The pamphlet contains a detailed comparison of Christianity with 11 Eastern religions, including the major types of Hinduism and Buddhism. Christianity and Eastern Religions looks at the following topics:

• Key Beliefs on God and the purpose of life/salvation
• Origins, founders, and other major historical figures
• Sacred writings
• Distinctive practices and major celebrations denominations, and number of adherents
• The focus on the Dalai Lama
• Profiles of other Eastern religions, including Sikhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shinto, as well as beliefs and practices such as reincarnation and karma, yoga, Eastern meditation
• The growth of Eastern religions and what it means to Christians

This pamphlet also teaches the scriptural basis for why Christians

• Believe there is a God who is personal, powerful, and has a fatherly interest in our lives
• Believe that there is only one physical life, and then the judgment
• Believe that man can never be good enough to evolve to perfection, inner peace, or pleasing God
• Believe that Christ is the only way
• Believe that Christ is the means to inner peace, blessedness, and pleasing God

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
• Release date: Sep 23, 2014
• ISBN: 9781596365797

Book preview

Christianity & Eastern Religions

Accordian fold image of pamphlet

This handy eBook:

Can be read in 30 minutes or less, and compares the beliefs of Christianity with Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Shinto.

Includes the origins, founder, major sacred writings, key beliefs and other information on each religion.

Looks at views on pantheism, reincarnation, yoga and meditation.

Provides definitions of important eastern religion terms.

Contents

Introduction

CHRISTIANITY

HINDUISM

SIKHISM

BUDDHISM

CONFUCIANISM

TAOISM (DAOISM)

SHINTO

DEFINITIONS

RESOURCES

Christianity & Eastern Religions

THE GROWTH OF EASTERN RELIGIONS AND WHAT IT MEANS TO CHRISTIANS

A century ago the average westerner knew little to nothing about East Asian religions like Buddhism and Hinduism. But with rapid changes in travel and technology, eastern worldviews and practices have gained enormous influence in western culture. For example, in 1900 an estimated 1% of Americans believed in reincarnation, compared with roughly 25% of the U.S. population today. With missionary zeal, Hindu gurus and Buddhist monks—such as the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (Transcendental Meditation) and the Dalai Lama (Tibetan Buddhism)—have traveled throughout the West to promote their religions. Simultaneously, eastern philosophies have gained many followers, influenced by yoga, feng shui, martial arts, macrobiotic diets, acupuncture, and ayurvedic therapies.

Tibetan prayer wheel

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FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS

There are important differences in the major eastern religions, and not all scholars agree on points of history and classification. Still, many foundational beliefs of eastern belief systems stand in stark contrast to the Christian worldview. To see how Christianity and eastern religions differ, it’s helpful to understand basic concepts common to most eastern religions