2015 Haruo Kaneko

Collage/Colored pencil　42×29.7cm

Buddhism is the doctrine taught by a person by the name of Buddha, or Shakyamuni (Gotama Siddhattha) in India around 624 BC. Buddhism is generally described as a religion, and yet, in considering its essence, some people argue that it is nothing more than philosophy. Although there are about 380 million people who are said to be Buddhists around the world, all of the Buddhism doctrines disseminated around the world mainly follow teachings of other religions, instead of Shaka’s original teachings.

For example, while all Buddhist practitioners believe in the immortality of the soul of humans, the Buddhism originally taught by Shaka denies the existence of immortal soul and it teaches individuals are a physical and spiritual force, or the conjunction of energy. In fact, the Buddhist doctrine denies the unchangeableness and eternal existence of the individual soul, such as anatta. In Buddhism, the soul, or atman, is an eternally and unchanging tangible presence underlying existing human being or substance, though anatta is a teaching that denies its existence and defines the fundamental principles of Buddhism.
　

Additionally, while many Buddhists practice idolatry and worship a deified image of Shaka or famous Buddhist, according to the words Shaka told his disciples at his deathbed, “Only look for salvation in truth. You should not look for salvation except yourself”. In fact, Shaka denies worshiping himself or other humans or icons.

If so, those who want to follow Shaka’s proper teachings should deny the immortality of the soul, idolatry and the cult of personality to look for and practice a religion that attaches much value to truth. Because of this, if you have someone who suggest following a religion, it is better to ask the person whether or not the religion denies the immortality of the soul, idolatry and the cult of personality and values truth more than anything else. If the person agrees, it could be the religion you should practice.

Now, why do Buddhists believe in the immortality of the soul and practice idolatry and the cult of personality? It is because during a few hundred years after the death of Shaka, the elements of Buddhism and Hinduism mixed together. Since long ago before the birth of Shaka, Hinduism has taught the immortality of the soul, samsara (the repeating cycle of birth), hell beings, idolatry and three deities or Trimurti.

Although this doctrine is taught in Hinduism, not by Shaka, Hinduism was founded on the doctrine of Brahmanism and Brahmanism was founded on the doctrine of ancient Babylon. In ancient Babylon, in fact, there was a religion developed from the worship of Nimrod, the King of Babylon, who built the Tower of Babel. According to the Bible, Nimrod is a hunter who rebelled against the true God (Genesis 10:9). The characteristic of his religion is that believers actively practiced the immortality of the soul, hell beings, a triad or trinity of gods, idolatry and the cult of personality. These doctrines past onto not only Buddhism, but also Catholic, Protestant and many other religions.

However, the Bible written under the influence of the Holy Spirit teaches all of these doctrines are incorrect. Also, the doctrines of Shaka indicate these teachings are incorrect. The Bible prophecies that all religions influenced by ancient Babylon will come under the judgment of God and perish and be thrown into the sea like a large milestone and never to be found again. According to the Bible, all of the religions influenced from paganism in ancient Babylon are called Babylon the Great and a political organization represented by the seven-headed wild beast symbolizing a prostitute committing adulteries. The Bible also prophecies that Babylon the Great will be destroyed by the political organization, which is the beast (Revelation Chapter 17). In addition, it prophecies that all the wicked of the false religions and religious organizations are thrown into the lake of fire and eternally perished (Revelation 19:20, 20:14-15). Because of this, those who want to receive the promise of true salvation must leave Babylon the Great and find the true religion, which is not influenced from paganism in ancient Babylon. For that reason, it is beneficial to compare the doctrines of Buddhism and the Bible.

For example, while Shaka denies the immortality of the soul, the Bible similarly denies the immortality of the soul (Ecclesiastes 9:5, Ezekiel 18:4, Psalm 146:4 and Genesis 3:19), and in addition, Shaka denies idolatry and the worship of humans and likewise, the Bible denies idolatry and the worship of humans (Exodus 20:4-5 and Acts 10:25-26). Despite this, interestingly, all of the Buddhism temples and Christian churches teach about the immortality of the soul, idolatry, the cult of personality, or a triad or trinity of gods and hell, and yet these teachings are not taught by Shaka or in the Bible. These suggest that in order to practice the true religion, it is necessary to find it in a place that does not belong to Buddhism temples and Christian churches. Moreover, it is necessary to find a religious organization that correctly understands the Bible written under the influence of the Holy Spirit and dutifully obeys the Bible. Where is the true religion? This indeed requires readers’ discernment.