Buddhism & Martial Arts

Buddha did not worship anyone.  But what do his followers believe?

Buddhism is a way of life.  In short, Buddha was a young man who separated from his riches to live life as a monk.

They believe:
Enlightenment rests in the “middle way,” not in luxurious indulgence or self-mortification. 

 

The ‘Four Noble Truths: 

 – to live is to suffer;  (the truth of suffering)

 – suffering is caused by desire;   (truth of the cause of suffering)

 – one can eliminate suffering by eliminating all desires (attachments);  (truth of the end of suffering)

 – having a budhistically correct view, intention, speech, action, livelihood, meditation and concentration   – being a monk.  (truth of the path leading to the end of suffering)

This, if done without the worship of any other God than The God of Israel, or the invocation of spirits, is not Anti-Christ and perfectly in line with Christianity. For, if the above is an offence, then all Christian monks are an offence.

There are many branches of Pseudo-Buddhism, and some teach occultism and the worship of demons.

Martial Arts:
Kung fu, Feng shui etc.
As long as these forms of martial arts do not violate the Gospel they are sound. Martial arts teaches you to condition body, soul and in such a manner and to such an extent that you may achieve the highest possible in this art/sport/exercise.   None of this is Anti-Christ.  When you punch or kick, you do this with physical and mental strength, fuelled with passion  – not with hatred.

You may use any meditation, or spiritual exercise, which does not involve worshipping other spirits, deities or intelligent forces.    Energy: sun, fire, en energies of stones etc. are natural resources which God gave us to our use, with one law only: do not worship them.

Whenever you feel attracted by any form of these martial arts, or such a way of life, do examine it:

Does it involve the worship of demons? Do its teachings demand that you do not believe in the God of Israel?  If so, you should not go near their believe and worship, perhaps stay away from their place if they worship things they regard as gods, but you may certainly practice their wise ways of exercise, both spiritual and physical (watch out with mantras, they may be invoking demons) you better check on the mantra and change it if you feel like. I was given one at 16  – the name was ‘Ima’ and I ought not to tell anybody.  

Let nobody fool you with the biblical lines below, for they tell of the faith you should have in Christ  – which you do have.  They do not forbid martial arts, for if they did they would forbid sports also and the conditioning of the body, mental exercise, medicine etc. 

Martial Arts are beauty and love when used as they should, especially Kung Fu.   I like Wing Chung (a creation of Shaolin nuns).   Even if the branch recommends you be vegetarian you may do so, even though  Jesus tells us that all is sound to eat. For you do it to obtain a certain physical/mental condition to your advantage in the art you practice. 

There is no hate in martial arts competition or exercise;

Save when the hearth of the artist is hateful  – but then there are many such hearts that have nothing to do with martial arts. 

As a Christian, you only consider if the art is:  worshipping gods, or if it involves the invocation of spirits,  or if it requires you to breach commandments, deny God or Christ, or the Holy Ghost.   If it does none of these you are free to enjoy your sport or way of life, physical or mental.

Philippians 4:4–7 (NIV/KJV)
  – Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 
  – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 
  – And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Romans 5:1 (NIV)
  – Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.