Christians - reconcile this if possible?

Question

Buddhists believe that human suffering could be overcome by following a particular way of life. The first precept of Buddhism is 'non-harming' (ahimsa): Buddhists reject violence. Buddhism is clearly pacifist in its teaching and there is a heaven, sometimes called Nirvana.

1) What happened to all people who wanted to go to heaven or nirvana before Christianity?

2) Did they go to another non-christian heaven?

3) If a man murdered a buddist pacifist and then prayed for forgiveness how is it that the murderer can go to heaven and the good buddist is locked out of heaven by practicing his good and righteous religion?

Answer 1

1. Jesus opened the gate to Heaven for all who had died and were judged by God that they should enter.

2. No. There is no "other heaven".

3. Because it is not by works, but by faith alone that we are saved. This means that if you believe (at any point in your life, no matter your history) that Jesus died for your sins, and rose for you, then you will be saved. There is nothing you can do to "earn" your way to Heaven.

Answer 2

"1) What happened to all people who wanted to go to heaven or nirvana before Christianity? "
With nirvana, you are on your own. With Heaven those that listened to Jesus went with Him:
Matthew 27
51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split.
52 The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.
53 They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
54When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!"

"2) Did they go to another non-christian heaven?"
I think that they went with Jesus. But I could be wrong. I'm just guessing.

"3) If a man murdered a buddist pacifist and then prayed for forgiveness how is it that the murderer can go to heaven and the good buddist is locked out of heaven by practicing his good and righteous religion?"
I think that's actually possible. But here: why is your judgement on what's fair going to negate the way God sets things? And know this: You are not in charge of that!

Answer 3

1. Before Christ manifested Himself, He was with the Father and was there during all the events of the Old Testament thus faithful pre-Christ Jews and faithful Christians receive the same reward.

2. Many believe that the reference to the parable of the rich man and Lazarus told by Jesus implies that the dead like King David went to a place "Abraham's bosom" which was a temporary place for the faithful before entering Paradise which occurred at the harrowing of hell when Jesus triumphed over death during the time His body was dead.

3. Faith in Christ is the only means to heaven, as Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life" if either man possessed this faith their sins are of no matter.

BTW, you seem to make the assumption that Buddhists are immaculate and incapable of sin and never commit sin through thought, word, or deed. If this is what you believe you are deceiving yourself (1 John 1:8).

Answer 4

1. Jesus Speaks of "Paradise" to the thief on the cross. This was understood as the place where those who believed that God was Good-fair=righteous would go to wait for the life-death=Resurrection of Christ . There Christ preached to them while He was "in the center of the earth" Those that accepted Him went to Heaven those who rejected were moved to Hell.

2. The ONLY path to heaven is not made of good works or the lack of bad works. The ONLY path is by faith in Christ and His works

Answer 5

1) Before Christianity, God gave His Law through prophets. Those who obeyed, mostly Jews but also others, could redeem themselves through animal sacrifice.
2) Disciples of Christ were first called Christians in Antioch. According to Genesis, Heaven is as old as Earth.
3) There is no righteousness outside of Christ. One who truly repents and asks God for forgiveness will receive His righteousness. Jesus is the only way to God because all people sin.

Answer 6

As a Buddhist, I would be kind of interested in the answer to #3.
I have a feeling that some Christians think a Christian life is worth more than a non-Christian life.

Answer 7

1.Before the death and resurrection of Christ people used to talk to God. The had to sacrifice perfect lambs to atone for their sins. And before Christ, we used to talk to God. It was alot different prior to Christ. Then after Christ all the Christianity started. Now instead of sacrificing animals to save yourself, you ask Jesus into your heart cause he was the ultimate sacrifice.

2. No, Heaven then was what heaven is now. In the end, heaven and earth will be remade. But as far as going to a different heaven, no, heaven is the same now as then.

3.Because to God, sin is sin. A buddhist has sinned at least once in his life making him imperfect. Killing is a sin, stealing is a sin, coveting is a sin, worshipping false gods is a sin, which buddhists do, Budda is not God but they worship him as one, thus making it a sin. If a person kills a buddhist, then asks for forgivness, and means it, he will be welcome into heaven.

Answer 8

Have you read the Bible or just started this rant out of bigotry. The bible says God's truth is written on everyman's heart. So if someone has not heard of Jesus but still obeys the gospel on his heart it is the same thing. If a starving woman met this Budhist would he ( in keeping with his faith) help the woman or tell her it is all just a part of her imgination and has no meaning?

Answer 9

You are all confused. First of all-just because buddhists believe something, that does not make it so. Second, one does not get to heaven by being good or by "not" murdering someone. One goes to hell for rejecting God. It has nothing to do with one's behavior.
There will be millions of good people in hell and millions of bad people in heaven.
God has told us what He wants from us. You can accept it or reject it-thats all up to you.

Answer 10

Because there are none good. You are assuming the Buddhist has never sinned. That is not possible. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

Only one solution for sin; repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. That is so for the murderer, and so for one who has never murdered. That doesn't mean they have never sinned.

So yes, a murderer could repent, accept Christ and be saved, and a person who has never killed another person can go to hell if they reject Jesus Christ. Because that person has still sinned in life, and without the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ, no one can enter the kingdom of God.