What
Is This Religion?
Ven. Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda
1. Introduction
Every man must have a religion especially one which appeals to the intellectual mind. A
man failing to observe religious principles becomes a danger to society. While there is no
doubt that scientists and psychologists have widened our intellectual horizon, they have
not been able to tell us our purpose in life, something a proper religion can do.
Man must choose a rational and meaningful religion according to his conviction without
depending on mere beliefs, traditions, customs and theories. No one has the right to force
him to accept any religion. No one should exploit poverty, illiteracy or arouse human
emotional feelings to induce him to accept a religion. Religion should be a free
choice.
Man should be free to choose his own religion according to his liking and intellectual
capacity. To follow a religion blindly without any understanding would deprive the
religion of its spiritual value and the follower his human dignity. Human beings have
intelligence and common sense to differentiate between what is right and wrong. They can
adapt themselves according to circumstances. They should therefore choose a religion that
is suitable to them and one that meets with their human intelligence. They must be
properly guided and then given a chance to decide freely without any coercion.
2. The Middle-Way
The religion that is being introduced here is a practical educational system for mental
culture which was revealed to the world some twenty five centuries ago by a Fully
Enlightened and Compassionate Teacher. This religion is also known as the "Middle-Way,
a righteous way of life, an ethico-philosophical system and a religion of freedom and
reason." It teaches us to do three main things; namely, "Keep away from bad
deeds, do good and purify the mind."
This message is very simple, meaningful and practical, yet people experience
difficulties when they put them into practice due to inherent human weakness. The moral
conduct of man plays a most important part in this religion. Its great Teacher once said, "My
teaching is not to come and believe, but to come, see and practise." It
encourages people to study the teachings fully and so allow them to use their own
judgement to decide as to whether they should accept the teachings or otherwise. No one is
asked to come and embrace this religion without first having an understanding of its
teachings.
Superfluous rites and rituals have no real religious value or significance. There are
no superstitious beliefs and practices or secret doctrines in this religion. Everything is
open to the choice of followers who are at liberty to investigate the teachings and ask
questions whenever they wish to clear their doubts. According to the founder of this
religion, one should not believe anything merely because a great sage has introduced it or
because it is traditionally accepted by many but one should use one's common sense and
intelligence and accept it only if it is worth while to do so.
This religion teaches the Noble Eight Fold Path which consists of Right Understanding,
Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right
Mindfulness and Right Concentration.. This unique middle way allows others to lead a noble
and peaceful life.
The middle way is neither a metaphysical path nor a ritualistic path; neither dogmatism
nor scepticism; neither self-indulgence nor self-mortification; neither eternalism nor
nihilism; neither pessimism nor optimism; it is a Path of Enlightenment, a means of
deliverance from suffering. This religion does not agree that human beings are suffering
today because of the sins committed by their ancestors; on the contrary every person
carries his or her merits or demerits individually. Man himself is solely responsible for
his own pain or pleasure.
One who follows the middle path of moderation should find real peace and happiness and
should be able to lead a respectable life without being a slave to one's senses, thus
contributing to the peace and harmony of the world.
3. Reap what you Sow
This religion satisfies man's most profound and lofty aspirations and yet is able to
bear the stress and strain of man's everyday life, helping him in his contact with his
fellow men, besides giving a purpose in life. It does not instill fear in people. "Good
begets good and bad begets bad." "Every action has its reaction." These
are universal laws. This religion fully agrees with these laws, hence people have to "reap
what they sow." Evil deeds are perpetrated by people due to their greed, anger
and ignorance. Such weaknesses can only be overcome through self realisation. Pleasure and
pain which people experience in this world are not due to some external influences but due
to the good and bad actions, words and deeds which they themselves have committed. For
this very reason, this religion says: 'We are the results of what we were, and we will
be the results of what we are."
According to this teaching, cause and effect play a very important part in our fives.
In a circle of cause and effect a first cause is inconceivable for the cause ever becomes
the effect and the effect in turn becomes the cause.
4. A Great Teacher
The founder of this unique religion is not a myth but a Great Teacher who actually
lived in this world. He never tried to present himself as a supernatural being but as a
human being who had realised the absolute truth namely, the secret of life and the real
cause of suffering and happiness. Today this Teacher is not only honoured by hundreds of
millions of his followers but also by every cultured and intellectual man throughout the
world. This Noble Man, this Liberator, this Social Reformer, this Democrat and Inspirer
into higher living, passed away at the age of eighty leaving behind a noble code for
humanity to utilise as a means for the elimination of human suffering, misery, tension,
fear and worry. This code enables them to gain happiness in this life and the life
hereafter and leads to the ultimate liberation of all human suffering.
This Great Teacher comforted the bereaved by His consoling words. He helped the poor
that were neglected. He ennobled the lives of the deluded and purified the corrupted lives
of criminals. He encouraged the feeble, united the divided, enlightened the ignorant,
clarified the mystic, elevated the base and dignified the noble. Both rich and poor,
saints and criminals loved Him alike. Despotic and righteous Kings, famous and obscure
princes and nobles, generous and stingy millionaires, haughty and humble scholars,
destitutes, paupers, down-trodden scavengers, wicked murderers, despised courtesans - all
benefited from His words of wisdom and compassion and led peaceful, noble lives.
His noble example was a source of inspiration to all. His serene and peaceful
countenance was indeed a soothing sight to the troubled eyes of men. His message of peace
and tolerance was welcomed by all with indescribable joy and was of eternal benefit to
everyone who had the fortune to hear and practise it. His iron will, profound wisdom,
universal love, boundless compassion, selfless service, historic renunciation, perfect
purity, magnetic personality, exemplary methods employed to introduce His Teachings and
His final success - all these factors have inspired about one fifth of the population of
the world today to hail this teacher and to honour him as their supreme religious
master.
This noble Teacher sacrificed his worldly pleasures for the sake of suffering humanity
to seek the Truth in order to show the path of deliverance from suffering. He visited the
poor people whilst kings and ministers visited him. For forty five years after his
enlightenment he had dedicated his life for enlightening misguided human beings.
This great Teacher feared none nor did He instill fear in anyone. This is one of the
principles that should be cultivated in this war-torn world of ours where the most
precious thing - life - is sacrificed at the altar of brute force and where armaments are
creating fear, tension and hatred.
He was the perfect scientist in the field of life. He was the perfect psychologist who
was able to analyse the real nature of the mind - so much so that His teaching was
acclaimed as the only scientific religion.
To great philosophers and unbiased thinkers, He is a teacher who understood worldly
conditions in its proper perspective. To moralists He has the highest code of discipline
and He symbolizes perfection. 'He was the perfect model of all the virtues he preached.'
To rationalists, He is the most liberal - minded religious teacher who appreciated the
vexed human problems. To free-thinkers, He is a religious teacher who encouraged people to
think freely without depending on religious dogmas. To agnostics, He is a very kind,
understanding and wise man.
He was no doubt the most persuasive of all the religious Teachers. He never used
compulsion or fear as a means of gaining converts. He has introduced a religious way of
life for people to be religious even without the attachment of a religious label. He was
the humble servant of humanity, unperturbed by either praise or blame, and undeterred even
by the most acute illness.
5. Peace, Happiness and Salvation
This Great Teacher has shown the path to peace, happiness and salvation. His way of
teaching is liberal, rational, scientific and understandable, leading towards
enlightenment.
Today the message of peace of this Great Universal Teacher is more important than ever
before especially at a time when human beings are intoxicated with anger, greed, jealousy,
pride and desire for world domination.
This Teacher was born to this world to dispel the darkness of ignorance and to save the
world from its ills. Throughout the world many people live on without believing or
practising any form of religion. However if they would only take a little bit of trouble
to study and understand what this Great Teacher had taught, they could easily clarify
their doubts, if any, and be convinced as to the religion that could best contribute to
man's happiness.
Whether one believes in Him or not, His Teaching nevertheless has its profound effect
on all people. His message was given to the world without any violence nor was a single
drop of blood ever shed in its name. This is a remarkable record in world history which
could be imprinted in letters of gold. This teaching illuminates the way by which mankind
could cross from a world of unsatisfactoriness to a new world of light, love, peace,
happiness and satisfaction.
The twenty five century old teaching of this great Teacher is strong enough to face any
challenge without reversing or having to give new interpretations to its original
doctrines. This teaching can be accepted without fear of being contradicted by modern
scientific discoveries and achievements.
The teaching considers virtue as being one of the necessary prerequisites for the
attainment of salvation. The other prerequisite is wisdom. Virtue and wisdom could also be
compared to the eyes and feet of a man. Virtue is like a vehicle that brings man up to the
gate of .salvation, but the actual key that opens the gate is wisdom.
6. Heavenly Bliss
The followers of this religion do not regard themselves as being the only chosen people
who could get the chance to attain heavenly bliss. They believe that man creates his own
hell or heaven according to his way of life and that sufferings in hell or realization of
heavenly bliss can be experienced in this earthly life instead of in the life hereafter,
as commonly believed. This religious teacher never tried to introduce his teaching by
frightening people through hell fire or by tempting them with everlasting heavenly life
but by revealing the truth. In accordance with these teachings, anyone can enjoy heavenly
bliss so long as one leads a righteous way of life. Heaven is not reserved for or to be
monopolized by any one particular sect or religious community. It should be open to all -
anyone who leads a noble fife.
Tolerance, patience and understanding are worthy virtues upheld by the followers of
this religion. Loving kindness, compassion and sympathy towards others are not linfited to
human beings only but extended to all living beings -since destruction of life, be it
human or animal, is cruel and unjust, and is against the teaching of this religion. This
religion also advises its followers to respect other people's views in order to lead a
harmonious life.
7. Way of Life
This religion is clear, reasonable and gives complete answers to all important aspects
and questions about our life. It provides a solid foundation to help mankind towards a
positive and better way of life.
This religion does not divide mankind into groups, the "saved" and the
lost but as a civilized and understanding religion it teaches us how to tame the
wild and refine the tamed.
Followers of this religion do not indulge in petitional or intercessory prayer. They
believe in the importance of self-exertion and in the efficacy of meditation that leads
one to self conquest, self-control, self purification, relief and enlightenment because
meditation serves as a tonic both of the heart and the mind.
8. Man can mould his Life
This religion contends that mind is the all powerful force -the creator and destroyer
of man and the architect of man's fate. Therefore, man should be capable of moulding
anything if only he knows how to develop and make use of his mind properly.
In fact this religion has been an admirable lighthouse for guiding mankind towards
peace, happiness and eternal bliss. It is true that the world today is riddled with
racial, political, religious, communal and ideological misunderstandings. To solve these
complex problems, people must exercise the spirit of benevolence and tolerance towards
each other, and this can be cultivated under the guidance of this religion which
inculcates ethical-moral co-operation for universal good. Man must come to realize -that
spiritual development is more important than the attainment of material development for
the real happiness and welfare of mankind. He must also practise truth, service, charity
and love if this world is to be turned into a better place to live in.
9. Actuality
This religious teacher through his enlightenment, declared that:
• The greatest virtue is that gained in the cultivation of universal love;
• The supreme happiness is the happiness derived from mental tranquility;
• The absolute truth is the truth acquired through the understanding of the causes
of human suffering;
• The highest religion is the religion that teaches intellectual development
morality and mental purification;
• The greatest philosophy is the philosophy that introduces a practical way of
life that can be followed without depending on theories and mere beliefs.
This religion does not obstruct anyone from reading and learning the teachings of other
religions, and allows no place for fanaticism. A fanatic cannot allow himself to be guided
by reason or even by the scientific principle of observation and analysis. Therefore, the
follower of this religion is a free man with an open mind and is not subservient to anyone
for his spiritual development.
If you care to learn a little more of the religious discipline or moral code of ethics
and mental training of this religion you would have to withdraw any previous
misunderstandings you have had about this religion. One should not merely judge the value
of a religion by just observing certain practices performed by some misguided followers;
instead one should always try to understand the fundamental teachings of that
religion.
10. Credit to Man's Intelligence
Instead of placing man and his destiny under the arbitrary control of an unknown
external agency and making him subservient to such a supreme power, this religion raised
the status of mankind and accorded man the credit due to him for his intelligence. It
taught him how to cultivate his submerged human potential.
This religion teaches us how to render selfless service to others. Followers of this
religion abstain from evil not because of fear of retribution from some unseen being but
because of realisation that evil would bring about suffering to living beings.
Their motive of doing good to help others is not to please any supreme being in
expectation of a reward, but due to feelings of compassion and to release them from
sufferings.
Here in this religion you can find a way to perfect goodness and wisdom without any aid
from any external power. You can achieve the highest wisdom through realization but not
necessarily through 'revelation'. You can attain redemption without the assistance of a
vicarious redeemer. You can gain salvation within this lifetime by the judicious exercise
of your own faculties without waiting for it to happen only in the life hereafter. Ibis
religion teaches that man is not for religion but that religion is for man. That means:
without becoming a slave to any religion, man must try to make use of a religion for his
betterment and liberation.
11. Is it Possible?
• Without sensuous pleasures would life be endurable?
• Without belief in immortality can man be moral?
• Without any aid from an external agency can man advance towards
righteousness?
• Without rites and rituals can man lead a religious life?
• Without emotional faiths and beliefs can man practise a religion?
• Without suffering through certain religious penances can man attain his
liberation?
• Without creating fear in the mind can man follow certain religious
principles?
• Without using force and threatening others can we introduce a proper
religion?
• Without superstitious beliefs and dogmatic ideas in the name of religion is it
possible to convince the masses to lead a religious life?
• Can a man appreciate and inspire a religion without mysticism, occultism and
priest craft?
"Yes," said the founder of this religion; these ends could be attained by
service, by purity, discipline and wisdom.
The realization of the law of cause and effect as explained in this religion clarifies
and helps to solve the problems of human sufferings, the mystery of fate and
predestination, and above all the inequality of mankind. Understanding of this law gives
them consolation, hope, self-reliance and moral courage.
12. Modern Religion
This is not a theory or a religion, just to believe in but a practical and noble way of
life. This is one of the oldest religions in history that brought culture and betterment
to mankind, yet most modern in every aspect, when compared with modem achievements. It
advises one not to become a slave to any external power but to cultivate one's own hidden
potential and use one's own effort and intelligence to resolve one's problems.
It has every quality required of a rational religion that will fit into the present and
future world. It is rational, progressive and reasonable. It will be beneficial for anyone
to study and realize the value of this religion in the modern world. It is acknowledged to
be more scientific than science and more progressive than all the progressive elements in
the spiritual field. It is one of the most effective means to be utilised for.the
maintenance of world peace, harmony and understanding.
13. No Discrimination
It was this religion which, for the first time in world history, revolted against the
degrading caste system and taught equality of mankind, according equal opportunities for
all to distinguish themselves in every walk of life. It was also this religion that first
gave freedom to women by encouraging them to study and practise a religion that bestowed
social equalities.
The Great Teacher declared that the gates to success and prosperity were open to all in
every condition of life whether high or low, saint or criminal, who would care, seek and
aspire for perfection. He did not force his followers to be slaves either to Himself or
His teachings but granted them complete freedom of thought and investigation so that they
could gain self-confidence.
This religion classifies the living being into mind and matter which are in a
state of constant change, not remaining the same for two consecutive moments. Mind and
matter arise and perish and the cycles go on. Therefore nothing will remain permanently
either in this world or elsewhere in the universe. Because everything which exists in any
part of the universe is nothing but a combination of elements and energies, it is quite
natural that these things will one day disintegrate and the formations disappear totally.
This religion also teaches us that every existing component thing is subject to changes
and conflicts owing to worldly conditions or universal laws.
The principles observed by this religion are not commandments. By observing the
precepts such as abstaining from Killing, Stealing, Sexual Misconduct, Telling Lies and
Taking Intoxicating Drinks, the followers can purify themselves and enable others to live
peacefully.
14. Our Aim
Our aim in publishing this article is not to convert others into our faith but to
enlighten them on how to seek peace and happiness and to practise their own religious
convictions without resorting to blind faith. We encourage every person to practise his
own religion properly if he can truly find truth, peace, happiness, wisdom and salvation
in it. What we want is for man to lead a respectable religious life without abusing his
human dignity.
However, this religion may be the answer to many of your religious, spiritual and human
problems or it may give fresh direction to your thinking on religious and philosophical
matters. It may also help you to understand the way of life and cultural heritage of Asia.
You may find in this religion the spiritual guidance the modern world needs.
This religion brought into the world a new spirit, a new hope, a new path, the truth of
which and the necessity of which is seen and felt today as of old. The great religion
referred to is "Buddhism" and its founder is none other than "Gautama The
Buddha."
Whatever may be your purpose, we invite you to take a closer look at this
religion and the ideals of the founder. We are ready to help you in your search for truth.
Therefore, Be Unbiased, Avoid Religious Prejudices, Try to Find the Truth.
-oOo-
[Taken from Gems of Buddhist Wisdom, ed. Buddhist Missionary Society, (Malaysia:
1996), pp. 17-33]
-oOo-
Special thanks to Phramaha Somnuek Saksree for
retyping this article.