September: Buddhist Peoples
Who They Are
Buddhist Peoples are spread out across much of Asia, from Northern India to Sri Lanka, to China, Korea, Japan, and much of South East Asia. Buddhism is the oldest known organized missionary religion. Wherever Buddhism transplanted itself through the preaching of itinerant monks, it blended in with the local traditions and customs. As a result, Buddhism today is as diverse as the peoples it represents. Even so, many of the core tenants of Buddhism are practiced in almost every culture.
Buddhism among the Chinese is strongest among the overseas Chinese Diaspora, found in almost every country in South East Asia. Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong have become strong centers of Chinese Buddhism. Singapore, especially, has become a center for aggressive Buddhist evangelism. The Dalai Lama, leader of Tibetan Buddhists, has become somewhat of a spokesperson for Buddhism in the West and an effective evangelist for Buddhist teaching.
What God Is Doing
Significant turnings to Christ among South Korean Buddhists is a cause
for great rejoicing! Among the Khmer in Cambodia, a movement to Christ
is underway with many churches being planted. For the first time in history,
a Tibetan church in the forbidden city of Lhasa is becoming a reality.
How To Pray:
-Ask the Lord for breakthroughs among the totally unreached Isan of Thailand
and Shan of Myanmar.
-Pray for spiritual breakthrough among the Japanese and the birth of a truly
indigenous Japanese church.
-Pray for God’s blessing on Korean missionaries reaching Buddhists.
-Pray that many Buddhist monks (including the Dalai Lama!) would come to
know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Day | Prayer Focus | Hub Country | Population | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Chinese Buddhists | China | 250,000,000 | |
2 | Japanese | Japan | 132,000,000 | |
3 | Vietnamese | Vietnam | 80,000,000 | |
4 | Thai | Thailand | 37,500,000 | |
5 | Burmese | Myanmar | 28,450,000 | |
6 | Isan | Thailand | 18,800,000 | |
7 | Khmer | Cambodia | 13,000,000 | |
8 | Sinhala | Sri Lanka | 10,200,000 | |
9 | Nau Buddh | India | 7,700,000 | |
10 | Mongolian | China | 7,400,000 | |
11 | Shan | Myanmar | 4,250,000 | |
12 | Lao | Laos | 3,350,000 | |
13 | Arakanese | Myanmar | 2,650,000 | |
14 | Tibetan | China | 2,150,000 | |
15 | Khampa | China | 1,900,000 | |
16 | Thai Khmer | Thailand | 1,500,000 | |
17 | Tai Lue | China | 1,300,000 | |
18 | Vietnamese Khmer | Vietnam | 1,250,000 | |
19 | Amdo | China | 1,150,000 | |
20 | Okinawan | Japan | 1,050,000 | |
21 | Phu Thai | Thailand | 1,000,000 | |
22 | Mon | Myanmar | 850,000 | |
23 | Gurung | Nepal | 800,000 | |
24 | Pa-O | Myanmar | 770,000 | |
25 | Buriat | Russia | 675,000 | |
26 | Kalmyk-Oirat | Mongolia | 600,000 | |
27 | Palaung | Myanmar | 600,000 | |
28 | Bhutanese | Bhutan | 600,000 | |
29 | Thai Khorat | Thailand | 570,000 | |
30 | Kui | Thailand | 500,000 |