OAC Publications
Borderlines
April 1998

FROM BUDDHA TO CHRIST

by Gilles Vann

I was born in a Paris suburb to a Cambodian father and a French mother. We spent two periods of two years in Cambodia, returning once when my parents separated, and for good in 1970, the year of the coup d'état which eventually led to the Khmer Rouge genocide.

I studied electronics at Grenoble, but failed my exams. I spent three years drifting and experimenting with drugs, finally passing my exams in 1976. I practised yoga and studied Buddhism. I spent seven weeks in India.

I tried various jobs. I took vows as a novice-monk, but I broke the vow of chastity by having a relationship with a Catholic astrologer, with whom I remained for six years.

At this time I was spending three hours a day travelling to work: I have never done so much reading in my life! I began to read the Bible, and was struck by Matthew 11:28, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Exhausted as I was, I was filled with a feeling of peace and rest like never before. I met an evangelist at work and we studied the gospel of Mark together.

In 1991 I married Françoise, whom I had met at the church I was attending. We now have a 4-year old son. As for me, I delight in one thing only, my weakness which enabled me to find the Lord (cf 2 Cor 12:10).