Buddhism Lesson 8

1. a person must have more faith in themselves, and not rely on a god to absolve their sins in order to reach heaven. having faith in nirvana requires one to rely on self-power, to expect multiple rebirths in order to correct past bad karma. this runs contrary to many main stream religions, particularly when someone can have the chance to ultimately become a Buddha through entering nirvana.  a person cannot become god or Jesus Christ, or Muhammed if they enter their heaven.

2.  I thought of a pearl, and have composed a short tanka, a Japanese poem ;
a pearl
patience,time,nurturing
a shell opens
to reveal a glowing pearl
protected from outside abuses and
born afresh, pristine.
the rotten, decaying shell is cast aside,
a new life is born.


Wayne Cuthbert
japan
Buddhism Course