Discussing Buddhism Abroad

Author: Ma Tianxiang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-03-01
Features: As everyone knows, Buddhism is ranked alongside Christianity and Islam as one of the three major religions in the world. In reality, we are all organizational forms or institutionalized expressions of religion in society, rather than religion itself. Therefore, to understand and recognize institutionalized religious organizations like Buddhism, Christianity, and others, one must first understand what religion is. When it comes to religion, it seems that everyone has a clear understanding. Upon closer examination, however, most people are lost and unsure of what they are talking about, leading to misunderstandings. In many people's eyes, religion is simply theism. Burning incense and praying to Buddha for salvation from suffering is religion; worshiping God, sincerely repenting, and receiving a communion in a church is religion; pursuing immortality through alchemy and medicine is religion; even practices like pretending to be deities, divination, face-reading, and qigong, as well as all forms of mysticism used to deceive others, are considered religion. In summary, people either view religion as superstition or superstition as religion. The least problematic view is to see religion as a form of belief.