How Buddhism differs from other religions
- Part 6 -

Thangjam Sanjoo Singh *

Wat (Buddhist Temple) from Thailand - 2007

Buddhism and Atheism Though free thinkers and atheists at time, acclaim the Buddha as one of their own, yet Buddhism is not an Atheistic Teaching, if the word 'atheism' is used in a derogatory sense of reproach and condemnation. Buddhism does not waste time in fighting against belief in God or gods. When rightly un- derstood, it supersedes all theistic as well as atheistic doctrines.

Humans without a religion are difficult to conquer

A government cannot control human beings merely by imposing more and more rigid rules. The more the govern- ment make rules, the more the people would find would loopholes to break them. If man were morally trained by a religion which makes him understand why he should behave as a good citizen, no problem would arise.

Unlike human beings, animals have no politics or govern- ment, religion or education, but yet maintain themselves without facing difficulties among themselves. What would be the situation among human beings, if they were allowed to live without any government, religion or education?

Allery to other religions

To the followers of some religions, all other religions are to be avoided as if they are some contagious diseases. By abusing another's religion one damages one's own religion One should not honour only one's own religion and con- demn the religions of others, but one should honour others' religions for this or that reason. In doing so, one helps one's own religion to grow and renders services to the religions of others too.

In acting otherwise, one digs the grave of one's own religion and condemns other religion, does so indeed through devotion to his own religion, thinking,"I will glorify my own religion." But on the contrary, in doing he injures his own religion more gravely. So concord is good. Let all listen, and be willing to listen to the doctrines professed by others — Emperor Asoka – Rock edict

A religion of freedom

The religion that the followers of the Buddha enjoy is commendable. In fact, many Buddhists have not been even realised this themselves. They have full freedom to judge and to think for themselves whether to accept or to reject anything. They are bound to accept anything in the name of religion, either simply by thinking of greatness of a particular religious teacher, or by thinking that that it is their bounden duty to accept the words of Holy Scriptures, or, the ways of ancient traditions.

Buddhists are at the liberty to investigate for themselves and accept or reject any proposition in accordance with their own conviction, based on reason.

Why some people regard the followers of other religions as their enemies
Why is it that sometimes the followers of one religious group treat another religious group as rivals?
Why are they reluctant to show their smiling faces to other religionists?
Why they are sometimes hostile to others to others and why they refuse even to co-operate with their good work?
Why do some insult other religious people by calling them names?

Such people must understand that the co-religionists are also working for human welfare and do not wish to harm or mislead the public.

People may cheat the government but not religion People may cheat government but not religion. One who tries to cheat religion cheats oneself. Discipline cannot be brought out by coercion and compulsion or by science, but by sincerely following a religion, which stands for peace, purity and happiness.

The weakness of religion cannot be inferred by observing what people practise

One should not judge the merits or demerits of a religion simply by watching certain ill-conceived practices and beliefs adopted by illiterate people in the name of religion. The original teachings of the great teachers are open to everybody and must be examined before criticism is made.

How people misunderstand religion

Irreligion is sometimes propagated under the garment of religion. Many people think religion is to be found only in a place of worship and a guru. Many people regard religion as suitable for old folks or women but not for the youths, educated or rich people. To them religion can only be found within the covers of some musty books but not among the flowers that bloom so freshly in the fields. These ideas are the results of their negligence, laziness and misunderstanding of religion.

No righteous anger in Buddhism

In Buddhism, there is no such thing as righteous indigna- tion or righteous anger; Buddhism never tried to justify war under any circumstances. There was no nervous irritability or emotion or anger in the Buddha's mind just because some people did not pay attention to him.

Respect those who are worthy of respect

As Buddhist, we can respect and honour the founders and teachers of other religions. All religious teachers deserves respect and honour, for they also have done good service to mankind. If we like, we can also keep pictures or symbols of these religious teachers in our homes. Buddhism advises us to honour who are worthy of honour.

Buddhism is a living religion

Buddhism influenced Indian life in a hundred ways, as it was bound to, for it must be remembered that it was living, dynamic, and wide-spread religion in India for over a thou- sand years.

Some religions encourage war

They say, war is an open door to heaven. Those who die in the battlefield for God will be born again.

How to prove the progress of a religion?

We cannot show the progress of a religion by erecting big buildings as places of worship, or by making huge images, or through various functions and ceremonies, or organising some colourful and attractive religious activities to bring more and more people into religion. But we can show the progress of a religion according to the behaviour of the followers of the religion, how they convince others through their decent life and kindness, sincerity, harmless and unblamable life.

Who is a religious man?

In the eyes of the Buddha, a religious man is one who is leading a noble life. Such a person can be a follower of any religion or even a person without any religious label. Yet, if such a person could purify his mind from various defilements or evil thoughts, then he will be able to enjoy happy, peaceful, contented life and finally attain everlasting happiness. It is not easy for a person to prove that he is more religious than others, just because he worships and prays so many y times a day or by making offerings in the name of a god or a religious teacher.

We believe that the only way to be religious is by following noble principles to develop the normal and spiritual aspects of our life without harming others.

Who is a sinner?

It is a sin to call a man sinner.
The wise one sees only good things in every religion
Like the bee gathers honey from different flowers, the wise one sees only the good in all religions and accepts the essence of the different teachings.

For example
· Buddhism says, "Hurt not others in any ways that you yourself would find hurful."
· Taoism says, "Regard your neighbour's gain as your own, and your neighbour's loss as your own loss."
· Christianity says, 'All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them."
· Islam says, "Do unto all men as you would do unto you, and reject others what he would not have done to himself.

Difficult for a rich man to enter heaven

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven. — Jesus Christ

To be continued....