Lighting candles at a Wat (temple) Imagine. Your salvation depends on you, and you alone. No grace — you only get what you earn , and no mercy — you get only what you deserve in this life, and all your past lives. Your master is the iron law of karma. Your happiness depends on your ability to eliminate all desire. Today one billion people around the world live in the shadow of Buddha. While many of these also practice other religions — or no religion — Buddhism is ingrained in their religious life, culture and how they look at the world. In Thailand everywhere you look you can see the presence of Buddhism. Yet there are glimpses of other religions such as Hinduism and animism within Thai Buddhism as well. Around the world Buddhism is on the rise. Countries with a long history of Buddhism, such as China and Cambodia are seeing a resurgence of Buddhism after years of government repression. In the West there is unprecedented growth and influence through the influence of media and pop culture. More and more people are thinking the Buddhist way in everything from personal growth to business practices. For scale, note the men standing Buddhism takes many shapes and forms. While there is a body of teaching handed down from the Buddha, in practice Buddhism is often part of a mix of worldviews and religious practices. Buddhism's ability to adapt to indigenous traditions and religions is a key reason for its dominant influence in Asia. The Buddha proclaimed that he had gained the self knowledge necessary to break free from his karma and the endless cycles of rebirth. He said that he cannot save others, but can point the way for followers to save themselves. He explained man's condition with the Four Noble Truths, and the Eight-Fold Path as a way of release from that condition into a state of nirvana. According to the Buddha, the only way to escape the suffering caused by our desire is through our self-effort until we are "Enlightened". We have to "earn" our freedom by following the eight-fold path (the "Way") to eliminate our desires, and thus our sufferings. The "Way" can be seen as: understanding the problem; ethical conduct; and the rigorous effort needed to overcome the problem. Pray for... Knowledge of a sovereign, personal God - In Buddhist thought, there is no supreme being, no Creator, no omnipotent omnipresent God, no Loving Lord over his creation. In Buddhism there is no savior. There is no grace or forgiveness. The Buddha said he could not help anyone; he could only point the way. One must overcome karma by one's own merit and works. Hope in a merciful Savior- To a Buddhist, hope lies in ending the cycle of suffering and reincarnation. There is no Eternal Life for the Buddhist, no hell, no heaven. Hope lies in achieving nirvana. Hope lies in non-existence. Karma is the ultimate impersonal, unmerciful judge. Karma is unchangeable, cannot be undone, altered, avoided, or forgiven. What is done is done and cannot be undone, nor can you be forgiven or released from it.