What I learned from Scott

Almost 1 in every 6 people around the world is a buddhist or is strongly  influenced by Buddhism. 150 million Theravada Buddhists live in countries like Cambodia, Laos , Myanmar, Sri lanka and Thailand.  850 million Mahayana Buddhists live n such countries as China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Singapore, vietnam, and wherever Chinese people have settled. Buddhism has recently grown rapidly in western countries. There are at least 1500 temples in the USA and lay clam to the ten million followers. These are faceless statistics to us, but God knows each and loves each as parents love their children. He wants them to know Him! A number of primarily Buddhist countries have serious poverty. Barely 1 out of 2 people in Laos can read. In cambodia the average family tries to live on $25 US each month. Out of 1.3 million children that are born each year in Myanmar, almost 1 out of 10 will die before they reach the age of 5. The Gospel is for the poor, with its practical help and the hope of heaven, but few in these countries have felt Gods loving arms through His church. One of the greatest horrors is child prostitution. In Thailand alone there are approximately 800,000 children under the age of 16 who have been sold  or tricked into being prostitutes ( 200,000 under 12). Slavery, abuse, AIDS, broken hearts and broken dreams are the daily reality of these little ones. Many Buddhists are lulled to a fatal sleep by the false hope of reincarnation. God has given us this one life, but Buddhists assume there are many more chances to come. Millions strive on in the vain hope that their merits or prayers will bring them salvation. Buddhism's standard of morality is extremely high. Beyond the many rules, each person must deny all desires if he or she hopes to reach nirvana. Thervada Buddhism teaches that each person must save himself without help from any outside power. The laws are like a clear mirror showing whats wrong, but there is no soap powerful engough to clean. This discourages some while others are fooled by their rices or status into thinking they are blessed because of their good karma. Many philosophical Buddhists think it is foolish and unscientific to believe in any god. the idea of a compassionate Creator is ridiculous since the world is unstable and full of suffering. the cross is confusing to many Buddhists. Those who believe in karma and reincarnation easily assume that Jesus died for his own past sins. Many Buddhists think it is impossible for one person to receive the punishment of another. Buddha told people to stay away from magic and superstitions, but people feel an need for power, so millions of Buddhists have turned to fortune telling, amulets, mediums, and all forms of magic for help. These are open doors through which the powers of evil deceive and destroy. The Dalai Lama has given Tibetan Buddhism a non violent, peaceful face, leading to the conversion of many westerners. A closer look reveals that much of this sect's focus is on magical ceremonies and contact with spirits. God longs to have each Buddhist look up and say, "Abba, father." Jesus personally carried each Buddhist's sins. The Holy Spirit strives today to draw each Buddhist closer to salvation. Sleepily, the majority of Christians are unaware of Buddhists nearby or far away.