Good Deeds are Not Enough

Buddhists are among the most charitable people in the world—in fact, their generosity often exceeds that of Christians.

A recent trip to Huay Pla Kang Temple in Thailand demonstrated Buddhist generosity. Thousands of dollars pour into this temple every day. The grounds are pristine and the structures are incredible, highlighted by a 25-story statue of Guan Yin, a celebrated devout Buddhist known as the goddess of mercy. Free sacks of rice are always available for the poor. The huge property contains an orphanage for 500 kids, a free retirement home, and a nine-story hospital is being constructed to provide free medical care.

I met the head of the temple, Abbot Phob Chok, the day of my visit. He champions the Buddhist teaching that merit-making overcomes bad karma, reduces suffering, and leads to a better next life after rebirth. But he cannot say how many good deeds it takes to attain a better rebirth or to reach nirvana. No one knows. Buddhists are not sure what their next life holds, or how many they will have to live.

Incredibly, Abbot Phob Chok was born into a Christian family but believed he could do more for the world as a Buddhist monk. He quoted John 3:16 to me, and I believe the Holy Spirit is working on his heart. He recently had a vision of a man in white he thinks might have been Jesus. A stroke has caused partial paralysis in the abbot’s left arm, and he invited me to pray for him.

Join me in prayer for this high-ranking monk and for a billion Buddhists in the world who are hoping their good deeds will lead to escape from the cycle of rebirth.

- Mark Durene, Change The Map founder