Mark Tabata’s Weekday Devotionals:
Monday May 4 2026
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James 2:19-You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!
Tenzin Lahkpa (a needed pseudonym for his own protection) was a Buddhist Tibetan monk.
In his book, Leaving Buddha, Tenzin describes his upbringing in the teachings and practices of one of the most popular forms of Eastern religion. Especially fascinating is his exposure to the teachings of Jesus. Tenzin had been taught to shun the Lord, but a discussion with someone who converted to Christianity started him on the path of asking questions. He tells of an encounter with another monk (this one who lived in America and was visiting).
This discussion shocked and troubled him greatly.
Troubled minds can’t find rest,” came a voice from one of the corners. It was the voice of our visiting monk. “Sorry, I didn’t know anyone was awake.” “I am still on American time,” he said. “You live in America?” “Uhhmmm,” he said with a nod. “I am getting too old for this travel back and forth.” “Have you lived in America long?” I asked. “More than forty years.” “Have you ever met any Christians during your time in America?” Silence. “Have you ever met any Christians?” he finally responded after a time of pondering my question. “I have, Teacher. I have met one.” “What did this Christian say to you?” “He did not say much. He just told me that the name of their God is Jesus and He can visit us in dreams.” Again there was silence. “Did he say anything more about Jesus to you?” “No.” “Does that person live here among us?” “No,” I said, instinctively knowing that I somehow needed to protect Peema’s identity. “Never speak to the Christians. They will suck the prana, the energy source that flows through all living things, from your soul. In Tibet, prana flows like streams of living water over the mountains and saturates every living being with internal channels of power. Prana is the life force of the body and the wind in the mind found in all living creatures. Prana carries us from origin to our destination. Prana gives us breath from karma to karma. Prana allows us to visit loka in the underworld or obtain the advice of the gods. Those who harness the power of prana are able to levitate, fly, or do other superhuman acts. “Prana isn’t just a power that gives life—it is the breath of life. It feeds off of our mantras. It grows from our prayers. It has its foundation in the reading aloud of holy texts. As your master, I pass on my prana to you and you pass it on to others, but Christians have a mystical power source that interrupts the flow of prana. Christians take away your power and strip you of your prana. Stay away from them and do not listen to their words.” “Couldn’t we expose the fallacy with a simple debate?” The teacher’s head whipped around, and he glared at me. “Do not play with Jesus, boy! He is more deadly than Mara and will keep you from enlightenment. Mara only has the power to trick you out of your prana, but Jesus can take it away. Mara can conquer you with darkness, but Jesus will conquer you with light. Unlike Mara, Jesus can control the life force of your jiva. I have seen it. I have seen the power of those who follow Jesus.” Chills shivered down my spine at the thought of a force more intimidating than Mara. “Jesus and his followers destroy the entire order of all that we know,” he continued. “How?” I asked. He puffed at me as if my question annoyed him. He seemed a bit miffed that I didn’t know exactly what he was talking about, but I didn’t. I honestly didn’t know how one god—one that I had never heard of—could disrupt the entire order of heaven and earth. “The loka of the underworld do not trifle with Jesus. We should not even be discussing him. Talking about him gives him power. He disrupts the entire order of all that we know, because he can overpower the loka of the underworld and the gods that lead us to enlightenment. He destroys the Middle Way. Even Yama, the lord of death, leaves him alone, because Jesus would release the spirits from their bondage and turn them loose! If a spirit escapes the bondage of Yama before their time to be released, they can go in between the different realms and wreak havoc on us all.” I was dumbfounded at what he was telling me. “If Jesus is so dangerous, Teacher, why have I never heard about him before? Wouldn’t it be better to warn others about his danger so that we can better prepare against him?” The teacher laughed. “You don’t prevent the spread of a virus by bringing it to your home and evaluating it. You keep it as far from you and your family as possible. And you don’t bring Jesus to your temple to evaluate his dangers! You keep his name as far from your students as possible. You lock him out. Unlike the other gods, Jesus is given power through sharing about him. He is like a deadly virus—by the time you realize how deadly he is, he has already infected everyone in your home. “Why did you come here?” he asked. “I came here to find the ultimate dharma—to find enlightenment.” “If dharma is what you seek, then you must cleanse your mind of everything that you have heard about Jesus. No matter how little of a place you give him, he can use it to destroy everything—just as a virus that you cannot see with your naked eye has the power to destroy the health of a well, strong body. “Stay away,” he said again with emphasis. “Stay far, far away.” I bowed in the darkness, acknowledging his command to me. As I walked away, he added, “Do not tell anyone here about our conversation. You must contain this virus or else…. “Remember, this very temple that gives you shelter was built as a reflection of perfect order,” he said, referring to the name Thiksay, which means “perfect order.” “You will destroy that perfect order for eternity if Jesus is allowed to infect the minds of those who have come here to find enlightenment.” I bowed again and walked away toward my room, running my fingers over the smooth edges of my prayer beads and praying for strength and wisdom. I couldn’t help but think of Peema and his words to me. He and his family must have known about the dangers of Jesus. Why had he considered it so important to tell me about something so dangerous? Peema didn’t look like he had been suffering from any pain or spiritual torment. In fact, he looked and acted as if he had a peace and calmness to him. After I returned to my room, I was still unable to sleep. There were so many questions running through my mind. I wanted to know more about Jesus. I think that my newly found desire to learn more sprang from the fact that I now knew I was not supposed to know anything about him! My curiosity was itching, and now I wanted nothing more than to scratch it. (Tenzin Lahkpa with Eugene Bach, Leaving Buddha: A Tibetan Monk’s Encounter with the Living God, 190-194 (Kindle Edition): New Kensington, PA: Whitaker House)
There are many reasons why the powers of darkness work so hard to keep people away from the knowledge of Jesus and His Word. They fear Him and Who He is.
Matthew 8:16-When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick,
Matthew 8:29-And suddenly they cried out, saying, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?”
Let us recommit ourselves to sharing the Good News of Jesus with every person that we can.
We praise You and thank You Lord. Amen.