Buddhism
About This Class
In this course, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of Buddhism, including its historical background, key concepts, and major branches. You will explore the life and teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, and learn about the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. You will examine the differences between Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana Buddhism and learn about various practices and beliefs. Lastly, you will study how Christians can share hope and God's salvation with Buddhists.
Recommended reading
Buddhist Priests Choose Christ, John R. Terry, published by Dawn Press, 1989
The Unexpected Way, Paul Williams (CBD)
Sharing Jesus Effectively in the Buddhist World, David Lim and Spalding (CBD)
About the Professor
Timothy Tennent
Dr. Timothy C. Tennent is the President of Asbury Theological Seminary and a Professor of World Christianity. With extensive experience in academia, he previously taught at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Toccoa Falls College. An adjunct professor in India and an ordained United Methodist pastor, Dr. Tennent's global engagements include China, Thailand, Nigeria, and Eastern Europe. He has authored several books on Christianity, theological education, and missiology, further solidifying his expertise in the field.
Lessons
- 0% CompleteGain knowledge about Buddhism's development, its major traditions, and its interaction with Christianity, focusing on both theoretical and practical aspects for mission work in Southeast Asia.0% Complete
- 0% CompleteLearn about Siddhartha Gautama's exposure to suffering and renunciation, his quest to break the Wheel of Samsara, and his eventual enlightenment, emphasizing the middle way between asceticism and indulgence.0% Complete
- 0% CompleteLearn about the foundational teachings of the Buddha, including the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, the causes of sorrow rooted in desire, and the cessation of desire leading to Nirvana, forming the essential structure of Buddhism despite its diversity.0% Complete
- 0% CompleteGain an understanding of Buddhism's explanation of the human condition, the five aggregates, the doctrine of dependent arising, and the significance of breaking the chain of causality to achieve liberation, as well as the different realms of existence within samsara.0% Complete
- 0% CompleteDiscover the origins of Buddhism, explore the three refuges and jewels, learn about the three baskets of teachings, and delve into the history and philosophy of Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism, including monastic practices and transmission of teachings.0% Complete
- 0% CompleteExplore how Mahayana Buddhism transforms traditional Buddhist practices by introducing new teachings, expanding the concept of the Buddha, and incorporating a messianic path through bodhisattvas who assist others in achieving enlightenment.0% Complete
- 0% CompleteGain insights into Mahayana Buddhism's secret teachings, Bodhisattva ideals, and philosophical concept of emptiness, exploring key texts and understanding their ethical and historical significance.0% Complete
- 0% CompleteExplore the journey of bodhisattvas, focusing on their significance, the six perfections, and popular figures like Maitreya and Manjushri, emphasizing the importance of moral actions, speech control, and the struggle to overcome negative thoughts, with parallels to Christian teachings.0% Complete
- 0% CompleteExamine the second main objection to Buddhist thought, focusing on the illusory nature of worship objects, comparing them to Christian visualizations, and highlighting the practical and philosophical inconsistencies in Buddhist practices.0% Complete
- Discover the significance of Buddhism's two great renunciations, explore the Four Noble Truths and dependent origination, learn about the three vehicles and their goals, and delve into the ethical contributions and development of Mahayana Buddhism, Pure Land practice, and Chinese cultural influences.0% Complete
- Explore how modern Christianity sometimes blends with other philosophies, critiques this trend, emphasizes core beliefs, and examines significant Buddhist-to-Christian conversions and detailed Buddhist practices.0% Complete
- Gain knowledge about five critical mudras in Buddhism, their meanings, and their cultural significance, along with insights into Buddhist iconography and conversion narratives to Christianity.0% Complete
- Explore the contrast between Western Christianity's merciful God and Buddhism's retributive deity. Discover a Buddhist convert's spiritual struggle and understand differing views on the self and impermanence. Emphasize the cultural context in religious discussions.0% Complete
- Explore why Buddhist converts embrace Christianity, addressing scientific and logical challenges to reincarnation. Discover how Christianity provides assurance against common fears, highlighting the importance of a holistic presentation of Christ and church planting.0% Complete
- Discover ten essential theological differences between Christianity and Buddhism. Learn why it's crucial to uphold the historicity and objective truths of Christianity in interreligious dialogue.0% Complete
- 0% CompleteGuest lecturer, Todd Johnson, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, founder of the Center for the Study of Global Christianity.0% Complete
Class Resources
Recommended Books
Essentials of Buddhism - Student Guide
This course serves as a summary of the beliefs and practices of Buddhism by Dr. Timothy Tennent. There are four lessons that will introduce readers to a summary of the...
Christianity at the Religious Roundtable: Evangelicalism in Conversation with Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam
In our contemporary setting, Christianity is faced with a different apologetic task than in ages past. Rather than being at the head of the table, Christianity now finds...
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