Challenging the idea of Buddhism

We at The Refiner's Fire are certainly no experts on Buddhism, but, in all honesty, we can't see it as a "religion" as much as it seems to be a "philosophy".

When one encounters Buddhism, they are told they need to be "enlightened" or to "achieve" enlightenment. The big problem with that is that Buddhism was founded in roughly 500 BC by ONE man (Siddhartha Gotama) - who single-handedly determined what "enlightenment" is and then began to teach that supposed "path to enlightenment" from nothing more than HIS OWN EXPERIENCES!

Gotama, who was born into wealth and, at age 29, came to realize that wealth and luxury did not lead to happiness, and began to study different religions in hopes of finding "the key to happiness." At some point, he decided to reject "religion" altogether and simply began to turn to "himself" for wisdom and happiness....

By rejecting the idea of a single Creator, Gotama also decided, and began to teach, that there is no human soul, and that who you are is the sum of what you were in your current and previous lives - "reincarnation"! The question is: Where is the proof? Who decides if you are going to be reincarnated as a new human, animal, or supernatural being? Is it supposedly just a "random" selection that seemingly "just happens?" If so, doesn't that automatically NEGATE the precept of Buddhism that there is no deity in charge?)

It is clear, therefore, that Buddhists today are following a completely man-made philosophy toward this "sound good/feel good" enlightenment somewhere "out there" to be "achieved". Although there is NO history of "enlightenment" prior to Siddhartha Gotama, Buddhists tend to adamantly reject the historical record, and actually teach that Buddhism DID exist before Gotama, and readily and without question, adopt this "faith".

Buddhists are taught: (1) to lead a moral life; (2) to be mindful and aware of thoughts and actions; and (3) to develop wisdom and understanding.

The questions that remain are as follows:

#1: Whose morals? Yours? Mine? What if your "enlightenment" says it's "moral" to be an adulterer, while my "enlightenment" says it's not? (After all - Siddhartha Gotama was looking for "happiness". What if adultery makes you happy?)

#2: And do what? That is, if you have become "mindful and aware" of your thoughts and actions, you are making decisions on those thoughts and taking action based on them. What is your guide? Your own experience? The writings or work of the mere human being, Siddhartha Gotama, who began his teachings from his own personal experiences?

#3: From whom/what does your wisdom come? Where do you find wisdom? From meditating? If so, how does one become "wise" from meditation? One cannot become "wise" from using only their own experiences and thoughts! Wisdom comes ONLY from YHWH, our ADONAI/God/Creator! (See Exodus 28:3, 31:6, 35:31, 36:1-2; Deuteronomy 32:6, 34:9; 1 Kings 3:28, 4:29, 5:12, etc.)

Proverbs 9:10 The fear of ADONAI is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of holy ones is understanding. (CJB)

The bottom is this: Buddhism is not a "religion" because they do not recognize or worship a deity - specifically, YHWH, who is THE Creator. Buddhism, like so many other "religions" and theologies that don't line up with the Bible, are man-made. They don't lead to eternal life.

Isaiah 5:21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes And clever in their own sight! (CJB)

Isaiah 37:23 "Whom have you reproached and blasphemed? And against whom have you raised your voice And haughtily lifted up your eyes? Against the Holy One of Israel! (CJB)

1 Corinthians 3:11 For any other foundation can no man lay, different from that which is laid, which is Y'shua Mashiyach. 12. And if any one builds on this foundation, either gold, or silver, or precious stones, or wood, or hay, or stubble; 13. the work of each will be exposed to view; for the day will expose it; because it is to be tested by fire; and the fire will disclose the work of each, of what sort it is. 14. And that builder whose work will endure, will receive his reward.

15. And he, whose work will burn up, will suffer loss; yet himself will escape; but it will be, as from the fire. 16. Do you not know, that you are the temple of Elohim and that the Spirit of Elohim dwells in you? 17. Whoever will deface the temple of Elohim, Elohim will deface him: for the temple of Elohim is Set Apart, which (temple) you are. 18. Let no one deceive himself. Whoever among you thinks that he is wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. 19. For the wisdom of this world is folly with Elohim: for it is written, He catches the wise in their own craftiness.

20. And again: Master YHWH knows the devices of the wise, that they are vain. 21. Wherefore, let no one glory in men: for all things are yours; 22. Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Keefa, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all things are yours: 23. And you are Mashiyach's, and Mashiyach is Elohim's. (AENT)