What is Buddhism? Is it a religion?

Religion is described in the dictionary as a system of mental culture that seeks to gain peace and happiness by believing in, worshiping and recognizing God or the Absolute. According to this criterion, Buddhism is not within the scope of religion because Buddha is not taken as God or the Absolute. The term ‘Buddha’ means the ‘Complete Knowing One’. There have been a number of Buddhas in the past. Gautama did not act as or seek to become a religious leader. He simply taught The Dhamma.

The Dhamma was set up as the framework of his teaching. Dhamma is a Pali word that has many meanings, one of which is ‘Natural Law’. Buddha seeks a healthy human posture from “Wisdom” to maintain the “Medial mode of living (Majjima patipada)”.

Wisdom(Paññā) is the ability to understand the Dhamma. Then Wisdom(Paññā) will lead to enlightenment. For this purpose, we do meditation. Then what is meditation? The practice of meditation is a way to train the mind and develop the Wisdom (Paññā) necessary to understand the ‘Natural Law’.

This series of Dhamma Letters will explore the ways in which meditation practice, training the mind and developing Wisdom can lead to a healthy human outlook and the ultimate happiness of Enlightenment(Nibbana).

1. Pali is the language of Buddha. It was a base of Sanskrit.
2. Pali terms: Sāsana means Teaching, Paññā is Wisdom, Dhamma is known as Dharma and Nibbana is known as Nirvana in Mahayana Buddhism.

Buddha Sāsanaṁ Ciraṁ Tiṭṭhatu!

May the Buddha’s teachings last a long time!

Bhavatu Sabba Sotiṁ ca Maṅgalaṁ ca!!

May everyone be led on the path of peace and blessing!!

Sādhu Sādhu Sādhu !

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