By Brandon Lingle, Missionary to Thailand

“Daddy, will you pray for Ava?”

“Of course, sweetie,” I answered. 

My daughter had fallen in love with this little girl that we took in, along with her mother, here in Thailand. At that time Ava’s dad had left them, but later the mom left little Ava as well. It was heartbreaking. 

Why do I share this when the topic is about reaching Buddhists? Because Buddhists grow up not knowing who ultimately created them and gave them life. And like poor little sweet Ava they feel hopeless, alone at times, and unloved as well. I think understanding these things first helps how we begin the conversation with them about the gospel. 

So how do you start a gospel conversation with a Buddhist? Someone once pointed out to me Paul’s example in Scriptures. If the apostle Paul met someone who had no concept of a Creator, he would start there (Acts 14:15; 17:24-25). Buddhism doesn’t attempt to explain where we come from, so starting from the beginning is important foundational work so they can understand the gospel. 

Here’s what the Bible says about Buddhists (and everyone else really):

For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (Romans 1:19-20)

They get that there had to be a beginning. Buddhists really understand. And they know that they know, especially after I ask a few simple questions. Here are a few you can use. 

If I’m riding in a taxi, I sometimes ask, “Did someone make this car? But how are you sure? You have never seen that person, right?” They inevitably go into describing the complexity of the vehicle and design of it and that’s how they know. Point them to the earth, human anatomy, ecosystems, stars, etc. They can’t deny those are way more awesome and point us to an intelligent and powerful being.  

“Well, we came from monkeys.” 

I got that response a few times. Some Buddhists will use that to ease their conscience. I remember a night that Brittney and I had a living room full of college students and they gave that answer. At the time we had a baby, so I asked them, “If I take little J.J. outside and left him out there, would he survive?” Could he survive without milk?” They responded, “Of course not! And you better not do that!” Some of the students laughed at that. 

Then I graciously, seriously, and with love and concern for their souls asked them, “If we came from monkeys, how did the very first monkey survive?” I let it sink in. They were thinking hard. Some realized there was a hole in their logic and what they have been taught doesn’t seem to make sense now. “Did you know when God created humans he created the first one as an adult? He was able to take care of himself.”

I could go on, but you probably get the point by now: Starting with the obvious–that creation must have a creator–is a great place to start with a Buddhist. May we take the good news to them. Oh, Lord, adopt many more Buddhists into your family.