Steve Cioccolanti - From Buddha to Jesus: An Insider’s View of Buddhism and Christianity

What Leaders Are Saying

In his well-written and researched book From Buddha to Jesus Steve has placed a valuable witnessing tool in the hands of the local church. I strongly recommend his book and suggest that anyone who comes in contact with Eastern religions should read it and have the information readily available.

Col Stringer
Best-Selling Author & President of ICFM Australia

This book has many great insights in it I would use it for our Bible College students .

Dr. Wayne Cordeiro
Pastor of 10,000+ member church in Hawaii

Upon reading From Buddha to Jesus , we were challenged, felt better equipped with the right information, and in many ways.corrected. We didnt realize that we had so many misconceptions concerning Buddhism. Nor did we know that there are so many teachings of Buddhism that could actually assist us in presenting to Buddhists their need of Jesus as Savior.

Tony & Patsy Cameneti
Directors of RHEMA Australia, missionaries to Singapore & Italy

Buddhism is a mystery to most Australians, yet increasing numbers of Australians are investigating it as an option for faith. Steve Cioccolanti has done us all a service by making the essence of Buddhism accessible to all of us. This book will be an increasingly important resource for those desiring to lift up Jesus, The Light, in the understanding of those who find themselves impressed by Buddha, the enlightened one.

Allan Meyer
Senior Minister of Careforce Church, Mt. Evelyn

From Buddha to Jesus is definitely a book worth reading and passing on to other Christians. It has been written with the view of helping Christians to more effectively reach Buddhists with the Gospel by understanding our common ground with them. It gives invaluable insights into why Buddhists believe and practice the way they do. Thus equipped, the Christian is better positioned to share the Gospel with Buddhists wisely and strategically, even as Paul did with the Athenians in Acts 17.

The book has also helped clear misconceptions of Buddhism that are prevalent in the Western society including my own misperceptions of reincarnation. It has given me invaluable insight into Buddhism in ways I had not hitherto attained from other books on world religions. The book is written in a very easy-to-read style with interesting anecdotes to illustrate teaching points. I highly recommend to every Christian both the book and its author.

Peggy Ong

Church Elder of Full Gospel Assembly Melbourne

A truly enlightening and informative book on Buddhism with many references and comparisons to Christianity. This book is a useful tool to reach not only Buddhists with the truth but many others confused in the plethora of religions.

Tom Inglis
Founder of Psalmody, former Music Director of RHEMA South Africa

The author not only reveals the true teachings of Buddha, but superbly teaches many Biblical truths which are so vital for victorious Christian living.

David Pearce
Missionary to Tibet

As well as learning so much, I believe Steve has a beautiful gift of expressing language... his writing is so clear and easy to comprehend it may well become a teaching, training, educational manual in libraries, schools and colleges throughout the world. I am praying for Gods favor on this important piece of literature.

David Box
Property & Project Manager of Destiny Church, Melbourne

From

Buddha

To

Jesus

An Insiders View of

Buddhism & Christianity

Steve Cioccolanti

Foreword by Dr. Wayne Cordeiro

From Buddha to Jesus: An Insiders View of Buddhism & Christianity by Steve Cioccolanti

Published by Sweet Life International Pty. Ltd.

Cover design by Kiko Arakawa kikoarakawa@gmail.com

This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without prior written permission of the publisher.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scriptures quoted are from the New King James Version of the Bible. Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson Inc., publishers. Used by permission.

Scripture quotation marked rsv is from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible. Copyright 1952 by The Division of Christian Education, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.

Scripture quotations marked kjv are from the King James Version of the Bible.

Copyright 2007 by Steve Cioccolanti

All rights reserved

International Standard Book Number: 9780980483901

Printed in the U.S.A.

Contents

Forewords

Thanks

Preface about Language

Introduction

UNDERSTANDING BUDDHISM

A Story from Behind the Bamboo Curtain

The Story of the Eel

East Meets West

The Thin Buddha, Fat Buddha & Laughing Buddha

Who Was Buddha?

The Lotus Parable

The Teachings of Buddha

The Four Noble Truths

The Polio Victim

How Jesus Used the Law Lawfully

The Five Commandments of Buddha

What Would Jesus Say to Buddhists?

The Korean Buddhist

The Ten Karmas

Is There a Hell?

Reincarnation

Women in Buddhism

King Asoka & the Python

Jesus on Reincarnation

The King & the Ungrateful Debtor

The Blind Turtle

The Last Words of Buddha

Which Denomination?

The Three Baskets (Tripitaka)

The Six Buddhist Councils

King Naresuan

Summary

End Time Predictions of Buddha & Jesus

CHRISTIAN QUESTIONS

The Authority of the Bible

The Validity of Buddhist Stories

The Risk of Syncretism

Is Buddha in Heaven?

The Last Words of Jesus

What Would Buddha Say?

Appendix

Forewords

You have in your hands a groundbreaking book, one that will challenge you to rethink our faith and how it can reach those whom others have overlooked.

I was raised in Hawaii, a blending of the East and West. My mother was for many years of her life a Buddhist. My father was Catholic, so I grew up confused! I was in caught between the two cultures and the two beliefs of those I loved.

As I came to know Christ in my late teenage years, I developed a heart to reach those of other faiths. I quickly learned that the first step to that goal was not necessarily sharing the Four Spiritual Laws or by giving them a copy of the New Testament. Rather, it was to understand their perspective and loving each one as a person for whom Christ died.

Having read Steve Cioccolantis courageous work, I was challenged afresh and stirred in my heart to now confidently take the next step in reaching Buddhists with the Gospel. It teaches the reader how with understanding and context, we can build Goodwill, which one day will open a doorway for the Good News!

Steve Cioccolanti is a sincere follower of Christ with an unusual insight into the Buddhist mind. His background and context lends to a broad understanding that no causal college can bring to any avid student of life. You will hear his compassion as well as his comprehension for those who have been raised within generations of Buddhist traditions and beliefs. He will even challenge you to see the good in it rather than just the bad. You will view the elements that have drawn millions in Asia and beyond to a philosophy of life that has withstood millennia of criticism and wars.

I have recommended this book to our Bible College students as they attempt to reach the Pacific Rim. I recommend it to you as you go forward to reach your world for Christ.

Dr. Wayne Cordeiro
President of Pacific Rim Bible College

In Australia, the 2006 Census tells us that the number of Buddhists has grown by 107% since 1996. However it seems there has been little growth in understanding Buddhism within the Church or by Christians generally.