Buddhist Temple

Last week when were still in Chon Buri area we visited a Buddhist Temple to get a better understand of the beliefs of the people here and the spiritual environment. Being in the temple was very heavy. In one area of the temple there were statues that depicted scenes of punishment for each specific sin that one would experience in hell. For example if someone had sinned they would have their tongue cut out, and this would happen over and over based on how many times in your life you had lied. These statues were very graphic and it was difficult to look at and even more difficult to realize that the Thai people believe this and have no hope in their future. They all know that they sin but there is no way to be redeemed from that. They make merit doing various things, like donating to the temple, but this does not mean that they escape the punishment but rather only earn more years in 'heaven' before going through the punishment and then after return to earth for another life just hoping that it will be better than the last and the ultimate goal is Nirvana, which is nothingness, though only the highest of society ever really have any hope of ever reaching it. These people have no hope and nothing to look forward to in life or beyond. But to be Thai is to be Buddhist so it is very hard to break out of that lifestyle and beliefs. The irony about this is that the Buddhism practiced in Thailand is not pure Buddhism but rather is intertwined with animism and worship of spirits. They realize that Buddhism is not fufilling and are searching for something more. We pray that their searching will lead them to Jesus. Please pray that the light of the Lord will shine through the spiritual darkness of this nation and that we will be wise in the way we interact with the people here, respecting them yet being bold in the truth of our Father.

Thank you so much for your prayers and support!

Love,

Catherine