Imagining India 2010 Welcome Tradition and Modernity students. The aim of the blog is simply to promote and facilitate on line discussion between students, and the posting of other items of interest that contribute to our exploration of South Asian traditions and modernities
John, this question is very interesting. Even people who follow Buddhism questions whether this is a religion or philosophy. I think to understand this, knowing the past/history of Buddhism is important.
ReplyDeleteDuring Prince Siddhartha's time (founder of Buddhism), he was really shocked when he was exposed to elderly, sick people and death for the first time. Such exposure to pain and suffering caused him to be miserable, and he wanted to escape from such suffering, so he seek philosophers to find a way out. However, he was not satisfied, so he resorted to meditation under a Bodhi tree. Within 49 days, he found enlightenment, and consequently he wanted to spread the message and preach others so like him, others can seek enlightenment.
After his death, his followers decided to record and write down his teachings, which spread to other countries such as China, Vietnam, Japan, Cambodia, Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka, Tibet etc.
However, Buddhism had to be adapted to each country in terms of its culture, beliefs, values and traditions. Hence, the initial philosophy of Buddhism has transformed into a religion, and Buddhism now has different branches.
Certainly, during Siddhartha's time, Buddhism was only a philosophy - a way of life, and it was not very strong. However, when the philosophy reached other countries like China - Buddhism established a strong foundation where the royal monarchy supported and encouraged the spread of Buddhism, hence it became stronger.
Excellent thinking Thanh.. and what is especially interesting about Buddhism as you point out is that where ever it went from India to Japan it merged with local practices so in China (with Taoism and Confucianism), Japan (shintoism)
ReplyDeletePerhaps the debate about whether or not Buddhism is a religion should be directed at the meaning of religion. It seems that the term ‘religion’ is also under debate with various theories about its meaning and application. According to the Oxford Dictionary, religion means believing in a God or power or ‘thing’ that is worshipped as an entitlement. The ‘thing’ may even be cricket. It also covers a system of faith and worship. Looking at it from this perspective, Buddhism as a practice or a ‘system’ could be called a religion. However, in the main most definitions include the words ‘superhuman’ or point to a special power which the Buddha discouraged. The basis of his teachings was ‘non-attachment’ to anything, which would include a God. While he was considered ‘The Enlightened One’ he encouraged his followers to attain the same state which takes away supremacy. To muddy the water further, there are theorists who suggest that this word is a modern concept which has been inappropriately applied to non-Western cultures. If this is the case then Buddhism is not the only one under contention. As I said, it would seem the word religion is where the debate really is.
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