Perhaps an odd entry to a Catholic site but it does hold some important lessons for all of us.

Buddha’s birthday, this year, is 30 April. The date on the Gregorian calendar changes every year but on the Chinese calendar it is always the same date.

Buddha lived a philosophy that is still trying to be imitated today. After his death his philosophy spread throughout Asia where many accepted it and promoted it. In fact, a new religion was created with not only Buddha but a number of other deities that are still honored and worshiped to this day.

The sad part is that those who practice this religion do so at the peril of their own souls. For the Church has stated many times that the Catholic Church is the one true Church and all others are false. In fact, the Church goes further and states that outside the Church no one is saved.

It is far from us to know the mercy and justice of God of who is and isn’t saved. But those outside the faith will have a harder time when it comes to their day of judgment. It will be a sad day for many.

But with the spread of Buddhism throughout Asia, especially China, could be a reason why Communism has been successful. The state has ignored the tenants of this philosophy and thus have allowed it to survive when other religions are being persecuted.

But China will ultimately fail because they persecute the true Church and allow false ones to survive and encourage their followers to their own day of ruin. Pity.