I respect the truth in all faiths and find Common Truth wherever I turn.
In my work, I often encounter people of various faiths and backgrounds who share their joy with others, inspiring me to address the topic of missionary work.
Sharing one’s unique connection with the Divine can be profoundly life-affirming for those who might feel an urge to see beyond their preexisting traditions. However, when approached with arrogance and ignorance, such mission work sharing can be massively oppressive and counterproductive to cultivating a deeper spiritual respect and understanding on our planet.
With this in mind, I offer a response to the Christianity Today article, focusing on how Christian missionaries engage with Buddhists. I take a different approach entirely, emphasizing Common Ground over Conversion.
Mutual Growth
For missionaries seeking to make Jesus more relatable and relevant to individuals from the deep spirituality of Buddhism in Asia, it is crucial to recognize these interactions as opportunities for mutual growth and learning.
This involves so many facets of life, including a deep appreciation of the sincerity of Buddhist practice, the shared commitment to overcoming delusion, transcending ego, and cultivating of love, forgiveness, and compassion. Instead of dwelling on perceived shortcomings, it is far more productive to focus on finding common ground and learning from and being inspired by one another.
I urge Christian missionaries not to focus on converting, but rather focus on striving to learn from their wisdom and reflections, and grow alongside those of different faiths and traditions. Buddhists have a wealth of knowledge to teach Christians, just as Christians have valuable teachings to share with Buddhists. Cultivating humility and mutual respect is essential to nurturing this relationship.
Turn the Other Cheek
Many Eastern religions have embodied the principle of “love your neighbor” and “turn the other cheek” far better than many Christians.
For example, Gandhi’s life reflected “turn the other cheek” arguably more than any other known figure in the modern age. He often wondered why Christian nations struggled to follow the teachings of Christ in their actions. From a Christian perspective, there is no ready answer to this hypocrisy. And there’s a lot to learn.
Finding the Common Good (Philippians 4:8)
While many Christians focus on selling the correct paths, many Eastern traditions often prioritize the good in all practices, aligning very much with Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” We can all live by this premise.
Removing the Log in One’s Own Eye
Missionaries I believe should let go of the notion that God only speaks through them and that others have nothing to offer or share in return. Divine speaks to and through whoever He wants, however He wants, in whatever timing. Only human arrogance will try to control how God speaks to people.
By letting go of the conceit that God speaks exclusively to and through our faith, we can focus squarely on working through log in our own eye (Matthew 7:3-5), gaining insight into a greater Truth that includes everyone, fostering a shared humility before an omnipotent Higher Power… and truly seeing others for who they are.
Acknowledging Colonialism
Whether churches were simply complicit or fully intertwined, colonialism and Christian mission work have gone hand-in-hand for hundreds of years.
An essential backdrop for all dialogue is duly recognizing the gruesome history of colonialism from Christian nations in non-white lands, which includes the genocide of millions, and looting of trillions worth, over the course of centuries.
The legacy continues, in some ways, into the present. Acknowledging colonialism and its grotesque display, and powerfully offering a “Great Contrition” before providing a “Great Commission”, on behalf of those before them even if they weren’t directly linked, Christian missionaries can go a long way in building a real trust to have meaningful dialog with those of other faiths and traditions.
Respect
By committing to common ground and focusing on learning from one another over attempts to prove superiority, we not only strengthen our individual faiths but also foster a deeper understanding of the spiritual richness within various traditions — of the Divine’s unique expression in peoples across the world.
With several caveats firmly in mind, I wish for missionaries, Christian and others, to continue to share the wisdom and potency of their unique message of the Divine with others… and delight in the fruits that ensue.
Ranjeeth Thunga
Perspective Mapper
rkt@perspectivemapper.org