(From Pray4SouthAsia.com). Buddhism started with Gautama Buddha about 2500 years ago. That’s when Siddhartha Gautama, a prince, left his sheltered life after seeing 4 sights. They were: a sick man, an old man, a corpse, and an ascetic. (Note: An ascetic is an individual who practices severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence. This is usually for religious reasons.)
All of these individual sights showed severe forms of human suffering. These sights moved the prince to seek answers about suffering. After years of religious practices, it is said he gained enlightenment (nirvana) under a tree in Bodh Gaya, India. From then, Siddhartha Gautama became the “Buddha”.
Please pray: Father God, sometimes it is hard to understand how these religious movements started. But the truth is, they are still thriving today. Millions are following the teachings of the Buddha. Lord, we pray for the revelation of Jesus Christ to these millions of precious human beings. Through your people and by your Word, may the Buddhists of South Asia have access to the Good News. Amen!
For a closer look at the ancient religion of Buddhism, here is a link to a brief video on “The Waiting World” (thewaitingworld.net)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/c7s067l7lydt4la/Buddhist%20WW%20copy.mp4?e=1&dl=0