A Christian Critique of A Dose of Dharma
Chapter 3 – Illusion/Truth
Chapter 3 – Illusion/Truth
Page 48: Illusion and the truth are two sides of the same coin. When one sees the illusion, one does not see the Truth. Once one sees the Truth, one stops seeing the illusion, which is on the opposite side of the Truth.
Note: Jesus Christ is not an illusion but is the complete Truth.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14.
Note: Christianity is focused on a Person while Buddhism is focused on false concepts.
Page 49: Phenomena exist not from a single cause but from multiple causes for that one brief moment. Once that moment is gone, it is not possible to recreate all the conditions for one thing, another most important element is the time factor. What happens NOW is never the same as what happens in the next moment in time.
Note: The love and truth of God abides in Christians forever.
The Elder, to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth, because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever: Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. 2 John 2:1-3.
Note: Christianity is focused on a Person while Buddhism is focused on false concepts.
Page 50: Anything that exists is dependent on multiple factors plus the moment in which it exists. The existence of anything for that one moment can never exist again. Once a moment is gone, it is gone completely.
Note: Christians rely on an eternal loving God not on lost moments of bliss.
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:17.
Note: Christianity is focused on a Person while Buddhism is focused on false concepts.
Page 51: Everything comes into existence from various conditions; accept it. It is NOT caused by you. You cannot replicate an identical existence even if you want to.
Note: Christians will not accept the status quo of evil.
“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:44-45.
Note: Have you noticed that there are no Buddhist outreaches for the poor?
Page 52: To be free from suffering, one needs to have wisdom. To have wisdom, one needs to be aware of potential attachment as it happens. To be aware or mindful of potential attachment one needs to be mindful of each sense as it happens. To master and become familiar with mindfulness, one needs to practice and master meditation.
Note: Christians have attained the wisdom of God through Jesus Christ.
For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 1 Corinthians 1:22-24.
Note: Christianity is focused on a Person while Buddhism is focused on false concepts.
Page 53: What you wish to happen and what actually happens are two totally different things. What you wish to happen or think happened is an illusion. What actually happens is the Reality, the Truth, the Dharma.
Note: Christians have come to Jesus Christ and are in the Truth.
“For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” John 3:20-21.
Note: Christianity is focused on a Person while Buddhism is focused on false concepts.
Page 54: Impulses that arise from what one thinks one sees, are of course illusions, because impulses are based on or caused by an illusion. Impulses are like double illusions; double jeopardy.
Note: Christians are in the truth of Jesus Christ and not given to lustful impulses.
But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:20-24.
Note: Christianity is focused on a Person while Buddhism is focused on false concepts.
Page 55: People remain ignorant because the gap between ignorance and wisdom is occupied by “I.” A fake “I.” As long as people hold on to the false ego, the false “I”, they will not get to the wisdom that is necessary to end suffering.
Note: Christians will rely on the power of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5.
Note: Christianity is focused on a Person while Buddhism is focused on false concepts.
Page 56: The easy way to stop the false “I” is to stop doing anything with intention: just eat, walk, talk, sleep spontaneously and carry out responsibilities mindfully. That leads to No “I” doing anything and therefore No “I.” When there is No “I,” the gap between ignorance and wisdom moves closer towards wisdom.
Note: Christians have spiritual wisdom through Jesus Christ.
These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:13-16.
Note: Christianity is focused on a Person while Buddhism is focused on false concepts.
Page 57: The Triple Truths are: Suffering, Impermanence, and No Self. One can’t do much about the truth of Suffering which is inherent in any existence. One can’t do much about the truth of Impermanence, which is inherent in any existence. One can do much about No Self. Let go of self. Let go of ego. Let go of “I have to do everything.” Let go of “I can accomplish anything.”
Note: Christians will continue to do the work of God that will not be forgotten.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58.
Note: Christianity is focused on a Person while Buddhism is focused on false concepts.
Page 58: If you learn to acknowledge: There is doing, there is thinking, there is speaking without injecting the false self or “I” into it, such as: I am doing, I am thinking, I am speaking, one can lessen suffering. When one is still, one has less chance of injecting the false “I.”
Note: The wisdom of God yields peace, gentleness, mercy, and good works.
For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. James 3: 16-17.
Note: Christianity is focused on a Person while Buddhism is focused on false concepts.
Page 59: When one is used to a lot of “I think,” it leads to a lot of “I act,” which leads to a lot of “my habits,” which leads to a lot of “my personality,” which leads to a lot of “attachment to the personality,” which leads to a deluded self. That deluded self leads to attachment that causes suffering.
Note: Christians will fearlessly endure suffering and are children of God.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. Romans 8:14-17.
Note: Christianity is focused on a Person while Buddhism is focused on false concepts.
Page 60: False self results when one is used to a lot of I this, I that. False self can be stopped when its cause is stopped.
Note: Christian habits will abound in love through the Lord Jesus Christ.
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-8.
Note: Christianity is focused on a Person while Buddhism is focused on false concepts.
Page 61: To have the wisdom that the false self is created by the false ego or false “I” is Enlightenment. The wisdom of knowing false self eliminates the attachment to the self and thus the suffering.
Note: Suffering will continue until Christians see Jesus Christ at death or His return.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. Romans 8:18-23.
Note: Christianity is focused on a Person while Buddhism is focused on false concepts.
Page 62: To think that the self is there to start with is a delusional thought defined as fixed false belief. Once one realizes self is the result and is caused by the false “I” then letting go of the false self is easy.
Note: Christians are helped by the Holy Spirit according to the will of God.
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26-27.
Note: Christianity is focused on a Person while Buddhism is focused on false concepts.
Page 63: Delusion is defined as fixed false belief. To believe that Self is real is a false belief. To be fixed with a false belief is a delusion.
Note: Sincere belief in Jesus Christ leads to hope, joy, and peace.
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13.
Note: Christianity is focused on a Person while Buddhism is focused on false concepts.
Page 64: Once one lets go of the delusion of the fixed false belief of self, one feels free. One is no longer trapped or strapped down by the false belief of self.
Note: Jesus Christ has set free Christians from selfish pursuits.
Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” John 8:33-36.
Note: Christianity is focused on a Person while Buddhism is focused on false concepts.
Page 65: One becomes instantaneously and intuitively free, once one lets go of the delusional belief in the false self. When there is no automatic attachment of self, due to knowledge of no self, one is free.
Note: Christians have been set free from selfish pursuits through Jesus Christ.
But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:22-23.
Note: Christianity is focused on a Person while Buddhism is focused on false concepts.
Page 66: Belief in self leads automatically to attachment to self which leads to suffering. More attachment leads to more suffering.
Note: Christians will suffer for Jesus Christ but have eternal life from God.
Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me. Philippians 1:27-30.
Note: Christianity is focused on a Person while Buddhism is focused on false concepts.
Page 67: Self, like any existence, exists from moment to moment. A self, for that moment, is the Truth or the True self for that moment. Therefore, a self at this moment is never the same as a self at another moment.
Note: Jesus Christ is the only truth for eternal life.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6.
Note: Christianity is focused on a Person while Buddhism is focused on false concepts.
Page 68: A person is a continuation of different “selves” that arise and fall away moment to moment. A procession of “selves” makes up a person. There is no same self that exists again and again in the same person.
Note: Everyone has a body, soul, and spirit not numerous selves.
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24.
Note: Christianity is focused on a Person while Buddhism is focused on false concepts.
Page 69: A self, for the moment, is the product of a combination of Body and Mind and different Emotions. The combination of Body and Mind and Emotions changes from moment to moment, causing a different self from moment to moment.
Note: Confession of Jesus Christ gives eternal life not loss moments of bliss.
But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” Romans 10:8-11.
Note: Christianity is focused on a Person while Buddhism is focused on false concepts.
Page 70: Self is the result of the combination of Mind, Body and Emotions. Self does not cause or influence Mind, Body or Emotions.
Note: Selfish pursuits will lead to premature death regardless of any combination.
Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. James 1:15.
Note: Confession of Jesus Christ gives eternal life not loss moments of bliss.
Page 71: Because each combination of Body, Mind, and Emotions occurs moment to moment, depending on conditions, a brief self produced by each brief combination lasts briefly and then is gone.
Note: Christians confess Jesus Christ for eternal life not lost moments of bliss.
“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” John 5:39-40.
Note: Christianity is focused on a Person while Buddhism is focused on false concepts.
Page 72: That brief self that results for the moment is not the body, nor the mind, nor the emotions but the combination caused by specific conditions.
Note: Christians confess Jesus Christ for eternal life not lost moments of bliss.
But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7.
Note: Christianity is focused on a Person while Buddhism is focused on false concepts.
Page 73: The resultant self, from the combination of Mind, Body, and Emotions, has no control over Mind or Body or Emotions.
Note: Christians have been forgiven of their wrongs through faith in Jesus Christ.
Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.
Note: Christianity is focused on a Person while Buddhism is focused on false concepts.
Page 74: Each life is composed of many, many, many different selves, resulting from a combination of mind, body, and emotions. Each life is made-up of a conglomerate of different selves, not just one self.
Note: Eternal life is determined in a sincere belief in Jesus Christ.
“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” John 3:36.
Note: Christianity is focused on a Person while Buddhism is focused on false concepts.
Page 75: The saying “You think, therefore you are” is not true. You (false) think, therefore you are (also false). The result of a false cause is a false effect.
Note: The true bread of eternal life is Jesus Christ.
Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” John 6:32-33.
Note: Christianity is focused on a Person while Buddhism is focused on false concepts.
Page 76: You, like anything that exists, are empty. Form is empty. Therefore, form that includes you is empty.
Note: Christians are filled with the Holy Spirit.
And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:31.
Note: Christianity is focused on a Person while Buddhism is focused on false concepts.
Page 77: Because you are empty, you are subject to die or become empty at any time. Anytime the combination of conditions that sustain the form ceases, life ceases.
Note: Christians are filled with the Holy Spirit.
But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:9-11.
Note: Christianity is focused on a Person while Buddhism is focused on false concepts.
Page 78: Once you realize you are empty, how can you be afraid to be empty (or die). If you do not understand you are empty, you are fearful to be empty (or die).
Note: Christians are filled with the Holy Spirit.
Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16.
Note: Christianity is focused on a Person while Buddhism is focused on false concepts.
Page 79: You are empty even as you live. Whether you die now or later, you are empty already.
Note: Christians are filled with the Holy Spirit.
“If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:15-17.
Note: Christianity is focused on a Person while Buddhism is focused on false concepts.
