Modern Religion
Buddhism is strong enough to face any modern views which pose a challenge to
religion.
Buddhist ideas have greatly contributed to the enrichment of both ancient and
modern thought. Its teaching of causation and relativism, its doctrine of sense
data, its pragmatism, its emphasis on the moral, its non-acceptance of a permanent
soul, its unconcern about external supernatural forces, its denial of unnecessary
rites and religious rituals, its appeal to reasoning and experience and its
compatibility with modern scientific discoveries all tend to establish its superior
claim to modernity.
Buddhism is able to meet all the requirements of a rational religion that suit
the needs of the future world. It is so scientific, so rational, so progressive
that it will be a pride for a man in the modern world to call himself a Buddhist.
In fact, Buddhism is more scientific in approach than science; it is more socialistic
than socialism.
Among all the great founders of religion, it was the Buddha alone who encouraged
the spirit of investigation among His followers and who advised them not to
accept even His Teaching with blind faith. Therefore, it is no exaggeration
to say that Buddhism can be called a modern religion.
Buddhism is a well-elaborated scheme of how to lead a practical life and a carefully
thought-out system of self-culture. But more than that, it is a scientific method
of education. This religion is best able in any crisis to restore our peace
of mind and to help us to face calmly whatever changes the future may have in
store.
Without sensual pleasure, would life be endurable? Without belief in immortality,
can man be moral? Without resorting to divinity, can man advance towards righteousness?
YES, is the answer given by Buddhism. These ends can be attained by knowledge
and by the purification of the mind. Knowledge is the key to the higher path.
Purification is that which brings calmness and peace to life and renders man
indifferent to and detached from the vagaries of the phenomenal world.
Buddhism is truly a religion suited to the modern, scientific world. The light
which comes from nature, from science, from history, from human experience,
from every point of the universe, is radiant with the Noble Teachings of the
Buddha.