Mere Christianity – C. S. Lewis (1952)
A popular definition of the word religion is that of a belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a God or gods. So, therefore Buddhism is not technically so much a religion but rather a specific way for individuals to live their lives. However, the same can be said of it that it has to be lived and not just studied, cause intrigue or be paid lip service to … for it to make a difference you have got to incorporate it into every aspect of the way you exist.
That said, it is only a suggestion of how to act and conduct yourself correctly and if you do not, unlike other religions there are no detrimental outcomes other than no reaching enlightenment in this life. Must do better, please try harder next reincarnation kind of thing.
Unlike most religions where all the good you do can be cancelled out by the wrongs, in Buddhism everything you do with each life adds a little kudos towards the type of existence you return to in the next life. But the same is true in reverse, bad things are taken into consideration as well. The route to travel is Nobel Eightfold Path is the way to travel (Right … view, aspiration, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness and concentration) as the ancient road will lead to Right Self-awakening. The idea is that by adhering to the perfect lifestyle you will eventually reach a point where the escape from the cycle of death and rebirth (samsara) has been reached (enlightenment) and the end to suffering has been attained (nirvana).
I’m not there yet, and neither will I be in this lifetime but, although my way of living is nowhere near perfect as yet … I am beginning to get a lot right.
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