The major religions of the world include Islam, New Age, Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism (Lomas et al., 198). The five categories justify Buddhism to be a religion. Approximately 370 million people in the world are Buddhists. The word Buddhism originated from the term "Buddha" which means to awaken. The religion traces its roots to about 2,500 years back when Gotama Siddhartha also called the Buddha became enlightened or awakened when he turned 35 years (Lomas et al., 200). Buddhism has evolved so much also to become a way of life or a psychology, but the fact remains that it is a religion.
Buddhism explains to its followers the purpose to live, injustices and inequalities around the world. The religion also provides life ways through which the members can be made happy. For example, in the western countries, particularly in Europe, Buddhism is gaining ground to become familiar (Wilson 541). Several reasons have been used to the modern popularity being experienced by Buddhism. In the modern materialistic world or societies, Buddhism has been used to answer several questions (Lomas et al. 202). The religion also provides a deeper insight into understanding the human mind. The Buddha, Siddhartha Gotama, discovered that despite the immense wealth his family had, he could not find true happiness.
Therefore, he sought to get happiness from various religions or philosophies that would provide pleasure. He spent six years studying and meditating and then came to the point of being enlighten and awakened. The rest of his life would be spent in teaching Buddhism principles, which they called Dhamma (truth). He died at the age of 80.
Several religions of the world pay allegiance to some images or idols of people they hold as supernatural beings. The same way, Buddhists pay their respect to pictures and idols of Buddha (Herbrechtsmeier 7). However, Buddhism is not a system of worship and faith owing allegiance to some supernatural being. This is the reason most people confuse Buddhism to be a philosophy since most regions have some supernatural being to whom they pay allegiance. Those who adhere to Buddhism are not demanded to have some blind faith in the religion.
Belief is however substituted and dethroned by having knowledge based confidence known as saddha in Pali. Just like a sick person would have faith in confidence in a renowned physician, Buddhists have their confidence placed on Buddha or in the same manner a student would trust his or her teacher (Herbrechtsmeier 10).
Buddhists believe that Buddha discovered the deliverance path and therefore will seek refuge from Him. The Buddha gives no guarantee for personal purification or salvation as would be in the other religions. That is to say; Buddha does not have powers to wash away sins or wipe away impurities from the followers (Lomas et al. 204). Just as Jesus for Christians, the Buddha is supposed to show his fans the way, but they have to take the initiative of cleansing themselves. Muslims also have a supernatural being to whom they pay allegiance, which is Allah.
Just like Christians believe that the penalty of sin is death, Buddhists also have another replica form of sin called karma. In karma, Buddhists believe that for every cause, there is an effect. Christians believe that sins have consequences and in the same manner, karma law is established on the basis that actions have results. There are several things explained by the karma law that addresses the various issues in the world. Most importantly, the karma law addresses the problem of inequality in the world (Schober 180). It tries to explain the reasons why some people are born gifted or physically challenged, or why some people may die while they are young.
Christians believe that sins may lead to a bad life, or not inheriting the kingdom of God. For Christians, they are advised to be responsible for their past and present actions. In the same way, the karma law outlines the importance of Buddhists being responsible for their current and past actions (Lomas et al. 205). Before doing something, Buddhists always look at the intention behind the action, what will result from the action and how our actions impact other people. The meaning here, therefore, is, the Karma law persuades the followers of the Buddha always to live with other people in harmony, as this is a source of happiness.
Buddhism also stresses the importance of wisdom just as it is with Christianity. However, Buddhism explains that the process of acquiring wisdom should be done with compassion. Therefore, Buddhism uses the middle path in developing wisdom and compassion (Kristeller, and Lobsang 640). Compassion encourages the qualities of comfort, concern, caring and sharing. Compassion is very synonymous with Christians and Muslims. Through wisdom, the followers of this religion are urged to understand others while at the same time understanding other people (Lomas et al. 206).
Like other major religions of the world, like Islam and Christianity, Buddhists have their beliefs and holy days or days to celebrate about their religion. For instance, Buddhism celebrates holy days such as Kathina, Wesak, Sangha Day, Dharma day and Parinirvana (Kristeller, and Lobsang 641-643). These days are used to celebrate different events just like Christians have Easter and Christmas. Various celebrations are used to mark these days. Therefore, as much as there are some aspects of Psychology and teachings about the way of life in Buddhism, the fact remains that it is a religion with over 370 million followers in the world. More importantly, the followers increase every day, especially in the western countries.
In closing, Buddhism is indeed a religion just like any other famous religions like Christianity and Islam among others. Buddhism commands a substantive mass of followers, and it celebrates its holy days. The doctrines that Buddhism uphold further demonstrate that it is a religious entity. Therefore, Buddhism in all the aspects that have been discussed above is a true religion.
Works Cited
Herbrechtsmeier, William. "Buddhism and the Definition of Religion: One More Time." Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion (1993): 1-18.
Kristeller, Jean, and Lobsang Rapgay. "Buddhism: A Blend of Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology." (2013).
Lomas, Tim, et al. "A Religion of Wellbeing? The Appeal of Buddhism to men in London, United Kingdom." Psychology of Religion and Spirituality 6.3 (2014): 198-207
Schober, Juliane. "Modern Buddhist Conjunctures in Myanmar: Cultural Narratives, Colonial Legacies, and Civil Society." Cross-Currents 4.2 (2015).
Wilson, Jeff. "Book Review: The Birth of Insight: Meditation, Modern Buddhism, and the Burmese Monk Ledi Sayadaw." Studies in Religion/Sciences Religieuses 44.4 (2015): 541-543.
