The Foundation for Religion

Most people in the world trust that religion means something greater than human existence, that there is a life after death whether that’s reincarnation or heaven. Some religions are based on one person leading them, others believe in the supernatural or some believe in the science of man. Every province around, the world seems to have its own beliefs about religion. There are often many branches of the same religion, depending on where you are located in the world. Religion often changes based on the area you live in because of traditions already practiced in that area. When a new religion is being implemented into a new area it isn’t uncommon to add their tradition to get people to believe. Although there are many religions around the world and different stories of how these religions start there all focused on knowledge. Many of the stories are passed down through religious tradition to teach young people and people that don’t believe. In the bible there are many stories to teach, for example The Tower of Babel, which teaches us that we must not be proud, but ask god for help. These stories are knowledge and the bases of many religions in Western countries. Teachings are the foundation of religion.

Buddhism is a path of practice and spiritual development leading to insight into the true nature of reality. The religion is more neutral than one may find in a traditional Church. Buddhism needs to be preserved as something very complex. There are a variety of beliefs, ideas and norms of human behavior embedded in Buddhist literature. Within the tradition of Buddhism there are variations of the tradition. Elite forms of the religion are more intellectualized and more philosophical or theological. The people in this elite cast often ...

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...s Buddhism may find more common ground with contemporary agnosticism (pg. 17 Batchelor). Batchelor believes if we review the awakening of the Buddha it is more of a “culture of awakening”. Batchelor doesn’t like the word religion, but prefers the word culture. Culture is the foundation of religion.

In the end, Strong and Batchelor may have different views on what it means to be Buddhist but neither is more right than the other. Batchelor’s way of thinking and book about Buddhism appeals to more modern individuals. John Strong’s way of thinking and book appeals to more traditional Buddhist. Both Strong and Batchelor are equally correct on what the foundation of religion is. Religion can be anything people want it to be and anything they need it to be. That’s why there are so many different types of religion around the world because everyone has different views.