Buddhism Isn’t a Religion—It’s Something Way Better

There are plenty of people who would disagree with me and say the Buddhism is a religion and its known as a religion worldwide.

“The dharma that I preach can be understood only by those who know how to think.” ~ The Buddha

The Meaning of religion is: “a system of faith and worship” and “the belief in a superhuman, or god with power.”

After spending time in India and Nepal, I observed the Buddhist complex. What I soon realized was that Buddhism is not a system of faith or a god-based establishment.

Buddhists don’t see the Buddha as the highest god. Buddhists see the Buddha as an ordinary man who walked the planet. None the less, Buddha untwined the reasons for heart-ship and distress and instead offered a positive way of dealing and escaping it.

Even though he did share and taught the world his teachings on how to get unstuck from samsara, he did not want to be seen as a god to be worship or whom we should pray to.

All he wanted was for us to examine his teachings first hand, and if they do resonate with us, to practice them. And if they did not resonate with us, we have the complete freedom to walk away from it.

Many ceremonies and rituals are held at monasteries, they do not worship the god, Buddha. It is, however, offering respect and gratitude to the Buddha who unveiled the truth. The prayers that are made are prayers of compassion, kindness, and love to all holy beings, no exception.

After closely observing Buddhism, we discover that there is no leader Buddhism. Dzongsar Khyentse regularly talks about how the “Dalai Lama is a secular leader for the Tibetan community in exile and a spiritual master to many people all over the world—and not merely to Buddhists”. He affirms that there is no leader or authority in Buddhism.

What is Buddhism then if it’s not a Religion?

Buddhism is a way of life a philosophy and a simple truth that represents things in life.

Buddhism helps one understand different religions. It teaches one to not be co-dependent on “God.” but to look inward.

It teaches independence and self-awareness. It helps one to self-reflect and take responsibility for one’s thoughts, actions.

Through Buddhism, you will understand that God isn’t a judgmental man who lives outside of us. There is no duality between God and man. Instead, God is in everything, everyone He is everywhere. God is not an unreachable outside entity He is within us.

Buddhism expands knowledge by teaching tools to go within oneself. Buddhists don’t care where you come from, what your religion is or who you call God. What Buddhist do care about however is that you are open to the truth—and the truth is: “All compounded things are impermanent.”

“Every day, think as you wake up, today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others; to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others. I am going to benefit others as much as I can.” ― Dalai Lama