Introduction
Siddhartha Gautama, also known as the Buddha, is the co-founder of the Buddhism faith that came into existence in India over 2500 years ago. Buddhism is considered one of the major religions in the world due to its large group of believers. A more extensive following of the faith is most prominent in Southeast and East Asia, and its growth is gradually increasing in other regions worldwide. Buddhism philosophies and ideas overlap with that of different beliefs. In the 19th century, Buddhists have structured various tools that will enable the religion to be flexible and withstand the test of time. This research paper addresses how believers of the Buddhism faith have been initiating and planning various methods to make the religion resilient from challenges posed by western ideologies and Christianity.
Conversion
Buddhism religion is significantly adapting well in the face of threats and other significant sources of stress posed by its continuous existence. Over the years, Buddhists have established schools where they impart to their followers and non-followers knowledge about the Buddha teachings. The teachings incorporate three significant aspects: belief in the Buddha’s nature which is having joy in the possibility of being released from agony; having knowledge of the texts and scriptures, which is a psychological approach to the objective; and implementation of the teachings involving ethical uprightness (Dong 287). Understating the faith and practicing it form the foundation of Buddhism religious education leading to positive behavioral change. The schools providing Buddhism education have enhanced the growth of the faith as people choose to follow the way of life observing Buddhist ethical morals.
Buddhists can worship in the temple or at home, making the faith have no single place of worship. Though most Buddhists constancy in worshipping at home, the vihara temple is also used as it is the heart of a community. Buddhists also worship buildings containing unique artifacts connected to the Buddha called stupa. The temples are sacred to the Buddhists because their construction constitutes five elements; water, fire, earth, wind, and wisdom.
The elements make Buddhists show devotion and allow them to meet with like-minded persons who analyze and examine their religion. Additionally, the temples have statues and images of the Buddha, which aids Buddhists to focus their allegiance and meditation in search of enlightenment (“Ways of Buddhist Living”). Worship at the temples is crucial in Buddhism resilience as people get spiritual growth, thereby giving thanks and devotion to the belief.
Peacekeeping
The Buddhism faith has a connection with a religion that is strong on activism and zero tolerance of brutality against humans. However, the colonialists used the military to cling to power through repression, violence, and fear, which did not sit right with the Buddhist belief. During colonial times, the monks acted as leaders in fighting for independence by engaging the broader population in political, social, and educational reforms against volatile foreign control.
The monks organized demonstrations that attracted a large following as they agitated for freedom and human rights. In 2007 in Burma, monks of the Buddhism faith warned the military government that if they did not listen to the people, the officers and soldiers would face religious ex-communication (“The Resistance of the Monks”). The act of the Buddhism faith protecting human rights and saving lives attracts followers, making the faith resilient.
Buddhism and Christianity often appear to come from entirely separate worlds. Christianity has its foundation based on the execution of a Middle Eastern peasant teacher of the faith who is said to have died on a cross. In contrast, the Buddhism faith is built on the existence of an Indian prince frequently shown seated cheerfully in the Lotus position after becoming an elder sage. However, there is a connection between the two faiths: the mutual stress on respecting each other, compassion and releasing disastrous ways of living. The significant differences are in the language, cultures, and architecture connected to the religions (Todd).
Many scholars seem to have an intuitive perception that Buddhism and Christianity reflect and can complement each other. The comparison shared to make the Buddhism faith pliable, leading to its fast growth in followers globally.
Modernity
Buddhism is a non-perspective and generally open-minded faith that does not need trust in a supernatural being. The teachings of Buddha state that the only thing that matters is the inward persona, and the objective of Buddhism is to reach a state of oblivion. Furthermore, the Buddhism faith puts human beings in five temporary predicaments; perception, sensation, physical form, consciousness, and volition. Buddhism is frequently referred to as a religion without God as it has no creation and no heaven, and no beginning and no end. Buddhists believe that the five temporary states disappear once they die.
The fear of supernatural beings may interfere with a person’s life making it difficult for them to be alone. Many people choose to follow the Buddhism faith due to the lack of supernatural aspects, thus making the faith resilient.
Westerners are constantly debating that Buddhism is not a religion but rather a philosophy and a way of life. Buddhism is more of a philosophy since it does not have a clear belief structure on the afterlife. The Buddha’s teachings encourage the congregation to investigate and learn the truth about reality for themselves as learned from the Buddha. Furthermore, the teachings emphasize adhering to moral principles and following practical guidelines for a person’s happiness in this life and probably the next.
However, if a follower chooses to break the ethical principles, karmic consequences shall follow. Practical benefits to heeding the guides are also mentioned by Buddha, including freedom from suspicion, danger, and animosity (Liusuwan). Many people seek freedom, and thereby opt to follow the teachings of Buddha in their quest to find peace and happiness, making the belief stronger.
Buddhism and science are often regarded as being uniquely compatible. During these difficult times, a global downturn triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic has led to universal civil turmoil and health risks threatening the long-term existence of man. Guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are issued worldwide to help cope with the unease witnessed worldwide. Among the guidelines is meditation, a strategy that is familiar with the Buddhism faith. Meditation is a good example that shows scientific concepts practiced by Buddhists. Many scientists are increasingly accepting that they can learn a lot from Buddhism.
According to the Buddhist text, the moon emits its light, and this theory has been proven by scientists, thus making Buddhism a religion that does not go against science (Impey). The ability of the Buddhism faith to be flexible and provide scientific theories brings about longevity in its existence.
Conclusion
Despite the opposition the Buddhism belief has been facing, it is still strong and increasing in followers. Buddhism offers benefits such as mental health by releasing its believers from depression and stress, which helps the believer become resilient. The efforts and initiatives discussed in this research paper explain why the Buddhism faith has withstood the test of time and is still staying strong with the increasing following. The Buddhism faith will continue its existence for generations to come as it continues to become more popular.
Works Cited
Dong, Yung. “Buddhism: Education for a Modern World.” Hsi Lai Journal of Humanistic Buddhism, vol. 4, 2003, pp. 284-293.
Impey, Chris. “What Buddhism and Science Can Teach Each Other and Us About the Universe.” The conversation, 2020.
Liusuwan, Nicholas. “Is Buddhism a Philosophy or a Religion?” HuffPost, 2017.
“The Resistance of the Monks.” Human rights watch, 2009.
Todd, Douglas. “How Buddhists and Christians Can Learn from Each Other.” Vancouver Sun, 2015.
“Ways of Buddhist Living.” BBC.