| Buddhism.. History and Overview
It is quite clear that Christianity and Buddhism differ from one another in fundamental ways. Some sects of Buddhism have tried to synchronize the two together. However, the two are so different, they cannot both be right at the same time, nor can the two be blended together.
America Smiles on The Buddha
The cover story of the October 31, 1997 issue of Time magazine was titled "American’s Fascination with Buddhism." It noted that Buddhism was now growing "ever stronger roots" in America and the West, pointing out that American entertainment had also "become fascinated with Buddhism." Other indications of Buddhism’s increasing popularity include amazon.com, which lists over 1,200 titles on Buddhism. Living Buddha, Living Christ alone has sold over 100,000 hardcover copies. A supposedly non-religious Buddhist meditation is now taught to hundreds of business executives in such companies as Monsanto, where the potentially dangerous Vipassana meditation* is said to be offered. Finally, since 1988—a mere 10 years ago—the number of English language Buddhist teaching centers in America has increased from 429 to some 1,100—almost threefold! The same issue of Time further observes that Jewish, Protestant and Catholic practitioners of Buddhism believe that, "Buddhist practice can be maintained without leaving one’s faith of birth." Nevertheless, insofar as Buddhist practice tends to support and/or inculcate a Buddhist world-view, such a view would be incorrect since Buddhist practice would then tend to distort one’s faith of birth.
Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama
A noted public speaker worldwide, Tenzin Gyatso, who considers himself half-Marxist, half-Buddhist, is often described as charismatic. He is the first Dalai Lama to travel to the West (undertaking a series of tours of 46 nations since 1967) where he seeks to spread Buddhist teachings and to promote ethics and interfaith harmony. He has met with religious leaders and heads of state from innumerable countries and been bestowed with many honours including the Nobel Peace Prize. He certainly has wide appeal to the man on the street.. Everyone seems caught up in the spell, and one can certainly see why.. He comes across as extremely tolerant and compassionate, A man of peace and a human rights activist. He relates passages relevant to his message from the Sermon on the Mount. Besides his constant message of peace and interfaith co-operation, the almost always smiling Dalai Lama has a very appealing side and a legendary sense of humour. So what’s not to love? However, a few voices have been raised which question the popular image of this ‘man of peace’. One of the issues raised is in regard to a couple of the Dalai Lama’s very questionable human connections, However, while these matters do little but make him quite a hypocrite, it is the second issue.. his belief in the Maitreya and his and teaching of the Kalachakra-Tantra that concern us here. It is those that make him an extremely dangerous man. |
Section 5 ... 
