Why is Buddhism not a Religion?
According to the definition of religion on Wikipedia, Buddhism is not a religion as people think. Buddhism does not accept that there is a force, power, god, ritual, custom, that can determine our destiny.
Therefore, Buddhism does not have any ritual practices that show an attitude of trust and reverence towards certain powers and forces. Buddhism does not require blind faith from its followers. Therefore a mere belief cannot have a place. Instead, trust is based on understanding.
According to Buddhism, everything operates according to the Law of cause and effect. Because we sow causes are intentional actions (karma) in the past that we will reap results in the present or future; Similarly, intentional action in the present will produce results in the future.
Before attaining Sotapatti, Buddhists sometimes doubt the Buddha, or the Dharma or the Sangha. Only when the noble Sotapatti is attained will all forms of doubt cease completely and the practitioner will truly follow in the footsteps of Buddha 210.
The faith that Buddhists place in the Buddha is the same as the faith that a patient places in a famous physician or in a student’s teacher. Although taking refuge in the Buddha and respecting Him as the unsurpassed guide and guide on the Pure Path, Buddhists do not submit blindly like slaves, not believing that Only by taking refuge in the Three Jewels or by simply having faith in the Three Jewels can become pure.
No one, not even the Buddha, has the power to wash away other people’s filth. Strictly speaking, no one can wash it off, nor can anyone stain another. The Buddha is a Teacher who can help by showing the way, but it is we who must take on the responsibility of washing our bodies and minds.
In the Dhammapada, the Buddha taught: “Only I do evil, only I pollute myself. Only I avoid sin, only I wash myself. Cleanliness or impurity is within me. No one can make others become pure.” (Verse 145)
Buddhists do not enslave a book or an individual, nor sacrifice their freedom of thought in following in the footsteps of the Buddha.
A Buddhist is completely free to exercise his will, expand his knowledge and develop his wisdom until the day he attains Buddhahood himself, because the ability to become a Buddha lies within all sentient beings.
Of course, Buddhists repeat the Buddha’s words as unchanging truths, but the Buddha himself taught that one should always meditate, not blindly believe.
The realization that is possible in the present is not the only criterion of truth in Buddhism. The key point is Right View (samma-ditthi), rational understanding.
The Buddha advises truth seekers not to accept anything just because a trustworthy person has said so, but to reason carefully and carefully judge to know what is right and what is wrong.
One day, the people of Kesaputta, commonly known as the Kalamas, told the Buddha that many monks and Brahmins came here to teach. Everyone advised people to believe only their own teachings, not to believe the teachings of other monks. After all, people no longer know who to trust.
“Yes, O Kalama, you are right to doubt. In case of doubt, doubt arises.” Buddha’s teach.
This is how the Buddha taught and advised the Kalamas — and here are tips that modern rationalists can apply just like the skeptical ascetics of old:
“Come here, Kalamas! Don’t accept anything just because you’ve heard it again (thinking that you’ve heard this for a long time.) Don’t accept anything just because of an ancient custom.” (like thinking this has been passed down for generations.)
Do not accept anything just because there is such a rumor (such as believing other people’s words without judgment). Nothing should be accepted just because it is written in the scriptures. Don’t accept anything just because you have guessed like that.
Don’t accept anything just because you think like that. Do not accept anything according to appearance. Don’t accept something just because it fits your bias.
Something should not be accepted just because it seems acceptable (such as thinking it should be). You should not accept anything just because you think that the monk who said this is already respected (and as such, the word must be accepted). Kalama sutra – 211.
This Buddha-word was over 2,500 years ago, but has taught powerful and effective until the twentieth century of civilization. The Buddha advised believers to seek the truth, not just hear it and believe it, even if the speaker has a lot of prestige.
Now, having accepted that there is no blind faith in Buddhism, is there a form of worship or worship of Buddha or similar idols?
Buddhists do not ask for any material or spiritual favor when paying homage to the Buddha image, but only express their respect and admiration for the transcendent ideal that the Buddha represents. Buddhists kneel before the statue of Buddha, offer flowers and offer incense, not to a stone, wooden, or paper statue, but to the Buddha whose statue represents him.
Offering flowers, bowing down, is an outward manifestation of the infinite gratitude deep in the heart. At the same time, Buddhists meditate on the virtues of the Blessed One and the impermanence of all things, through the petals of flowers that bloom and fade. The savvy Buddhist creates the impression that he is kneeling before the Buddha and thereby generates inspiration to urge him to follow his pure example.
Referring to the famous philosopher statues, Count Kaiserling, wrote: “In this world I know of nothing greater than the portrait of the Buddha. This is the perfect incarnation of a spiritual value. gods in the visible world”.
Buddhists also pay homage to the Bodhi tree, but not to show respect for the tree, but as a mere symbol of enlightenment. Although there are many rituals in the ceremonies, Buddhists do not worship the Buddha as a god.
Buddha statues, Bodhi trees and other forms of worship are not absolutely necessary, but are very useful, because they help the practitioner to focus his mind on pure objects. A mature intellectual may not have to resort to such means to gather his mind to visualize and visualize the Buddha.
Buddhists bow to the Buddha to express their gratitude and admiration for him, but what the Buddha wants is not for followers to obey, but to seriously practice his teachings.
Another feature that should be noted in Buddhist chanting: the verse is not an invocation, nor is it a plea conveying an aspiration. Even if we spend all our time begging, it won’t get us anything.
The Buddha never and could not bestow favors on those who pray. To be saved, Buddhists should not pray, but must accept responsibility, strive to cultivate virtue, persevere in practice to purify themselves and achieve liberation. You should not depend on others but rely on yourself, try your best. Buddha taught:
“You must try, the Tathagatas are only teachers”.
Not only is prayer and supplication useless, but it is also an attitude of spiritual slavery. Instead of reciting prayers, the Buddha advised trying to meditate for self-discipline, self-control, self-purification, and enlightenment. Meditation is a tonic for both the mind and the mind.
In Buddhism, there is no almighty God, forcing followers to bow their heads in fear. Buddhism denies the existence of a supramundane power, conceptualizing it as omnipotent or infinitely capable.
Therefore, Buddhists do not submit to a supernatural power that controls punishment and destiny. Because do not believe in divine revelation. Buddhism does not claim to hold the truth exclusively and does not reject any other religion.
Buddhism does not promulgate dogmas that require believers to close their eyes, there are no dogmas that must be accepted before thinking, no unreasonable superstitious rituals and obligatory rituals, no sacrificial and no ascetic force to wash the mind.
Thus, Buddhism cannot be called a religion precisely because it is not a system of belief and worship. Buddhism is also not an act or form of outward manifestation that shows that people accept the existence of one or more Gods who have the power to govern their own destiny and that they have the duty to obey, serve and respect them.
Karl Marx said: “Religion is the soul of soulless conditions, the heart of a heartless world, the poppy of the people”.
Buddhism is not such a religion. Anyway, if it is understood that religion is a doctrine that looks deeper into life than the outer shell, the doctrine looks right inside life, instead of just looking at the face, it offers people a positive attitude living in harmony with “that insight, the teaching that helps those who strive, can deal strongly with existence and face death in a calm and peaceful manner”, or a system that helps freed from the painful forms of life, Buddhism is certainly the religion of religions.
