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About This Site
Flash Introduction
The Quest of Every Heart

Worldviews Contrasted

Seven Pillars of Wisdom
World Religions & Teachers
Celebrating Commonalities
Acknowledging Contradictions

Identifying the True Light

My Spiritual Journey
Other Personal Stories
Various Articles and FAQ

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Mike Shreve was a teacher of yoga at four universities. (The portrait above was drawn by one of his students in 1970.) Then a spiritual rebirth brought him into a real relationship with God and drastically changed his heart, his life and his belief system. Read his story here.

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Site Completed–10/15/01
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Last Updated–03/19/09

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Thought-provoking articles about intriguing religious topics

Are Jesus and Buddha Equals?

A number of books have been written trying to place Jesus and Buddha on an equal plane (like Marcus Borg's book, Jesus and Buddha: the Parallel Sayings, or Jesus and Buddha as Brothers, by Thich Nhat Hanh). Though Jesus and Buddha both taught some basic, moral concepts that ARE compatible (like the importance of self-denial, withdrawing from worldly influence, or living according to the Golden Rule) their interpretation of spiritual realities are at totally opposite ends of the supernatural theological “pole.” Please consider the following important comparisons of both their person and doctrine:

Buddha was born of a normal sexual union of a man and woman and was a normal human being; Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, and was literally God manifested in the flesh.
Buddha was basically atheistic in his approach; Jesus acknowledged the existence and reality of God constantly.
Buddha taught that two of the biggest hindrances to enlightenment are belief in a personal soul and belief that a person's soul can experience eternal existence in a heavenly state. Jesus definitely taught that all men have eternal souls and that repentant persons, through a true salvation experience, can receive the gift of eternal life---and personally live forever in a heavenly state.
Buddha taught the doctrine of reincarnation; Jesus taught just one life in this world.
Buddha taught the doctrine of karma (kama)--that in order to “achieve” nirvana one must overcome all negative karma—which is a self-achieved “salvation.” There is no provision in Buddhism for forgiveness and grace coming from God. Jesus taught the availability of forgiveness, if we repent of our sins, and cleansing of the soul by the blood of Jesus. This is not a self-achieved salvation, but salvation by grace (the unmerited love of God).
Buddha never died as a sacrifice for the sins of mankind on a cross; Jesus did, personally claiming that His death was for the "remission of sins.”
Buddha apparently died of food poisoning and is still in the grave (or what remains of him); Jesus died a much worse death and rose again victoriously and lives forever as King of kings in the third heaven.
Buddha never promised that He would return; Jesus promised that He will one day return, resurrecting those who are "dead in Christ,” granting His followers glorified bodies and restoring this world to the perfection of paradise, the full manifestation of the Kingdom of God.
Buddha taught that nothing is permanent; Jesus taught that there will yet be a New Creation that will be permanent and that we, through a covenant relationship with Him, can be assured of being included in that New Creation.
Buddha was a mere human being who sought for enlightenment; Jesus never sought enlightenment but rather declared, “I am the truth.” He purposefully came to enlighten others and bring them to an understanding of God.

By this time, I believe that all of you are convinced of the uniqueness of Jesus, but possibly not convinced of His exclusivity. In all honesty, I was never convinced that Jesus really is the only way to a true experience of God until I tested His claims through prayer. As a teacher of yoga at four universities, I was strongly committed to a Far Eastern worldview. But then, at the urging of a friend, I dedicated an entire day to the Lord Jesus Christ. I only read the Bible and when I prayed I used none of the yogic methods I had learned. I asked Jesus, if He really was “the door to eternal life” to show me that day. It happened and I was transformed forever. Once I was “born again” I knew that the claims of Jesus were right and that His path is the only true path leading to God.

If you are willing to perform a “spiritual experiment” of this nature, please do the following three things:

First, read the expanded version of my personal story (click here).

Then approach the Lord Jesus Christ with a simple prayer similar to the following. He has promised to manifest Himself to those who call upon His Name.

“Lord Jesus, come into my heart. Wash me in Your blood. Forgive me of my sins. Give me eternal life. Fill me with Your presence and Your love and let me be “born again.” I acknowledge that You died for the sins of the world and that You arose from the dead. I accept You now as Lord of my life.”

Finally, contact me and let me know of your decision to follow the Lord Jesus as your Lord and Savior. He loves you and so do I.

I look forward to hearing from you.

—Mike Shreve
mikeshreve@thetruelight.net

In Search of the
True Light

In Search of the True Light is a very unique and inspiring book accomplishes three main things—it chronicles Mike Shreve's spiritual journey, it provides an in-depth study of over 20 religions of the world, and it points unmistakably to the "True Light."

Click here for more information about In Search of the True Light