佛教是一種教育，不是宗教
Buddhism is an Education, Not a Religion
根據韋氏字典，宗教的定義如下:“有組織的信仰體系、儀式、和慶祝爲中心有關一個超自然的存在力量；信仰虔誠的追求。”佛教並不是宗教，因爲：首先，佛陀不是一個“超自然的存在力量”。佛陀是一個簡單的人，已經達到完全證悟人生和宇宙的實在(reality)。生活是指我們自己，而宇宙是指我們的生活環境。
佛陀教導我們所有的衆生都同樣具有能力達到完全證悟人生和宇宙真理，並從所有的痛苦中解脫出來獲得究竟的幸福。所有的衆生皆可成佛，一切衆生與佛陀在本性上是平等的。佛陀不是神，而是一個老師，他教我們恢複智慧和理解的方法就是征服當下遮蔽我們的貪、嗔、癡。
“佛”這個詞是一個梵文詞，翻譯這個詞的意思是:“智慧、意識/理解”。我們稱佛教的創始人釋迦牟尼佛爲“佛陀”，因爲他已經完全證悟和理解了人生和宇宙的真理。佛教是他對我們的教育，是他照耀我們成佛之路的教言。
第二，佛教不是宗教，因爲“信仰”在佛陀的教誨中不是盲目的信仰、盲目的信心，而是遠離迷信。釋迦牟尼佛教我們不要盲目地相信他所告訴我們的，他想讓我們去嘗試他的教導並證明這些教導。佛陀要我們知道，而不只是相信。
佛陀的教法來自他自己對生活和宇宙真實一面的理解方式的體驗，並向我們展示一條我們自己品嘗真理的道路。這是就像一個好朋友告訴我們他的歐洲之旅，他所看到的景色，到達那裏的方式，而卻需要我們自己去看。佛陀使用一個完美的科學方法展示給我們實在的真實形態。
第叁，佛教不是宗教，因爲所有的“儀式和慶祝”的不是集中在一個超自然的存在，而是人們參加集會。佛教的儀式和慶祝都是服務于教育的目的，讓人想起佛陀的教導並鼓勵所有的學生來實踐它。例如，在中國新年期間修行的千佛忏儀式是爲了幫助參加者培養謙卑的心，並能尊重他人。所有 “儀式”的關鍵點是幫助他人從妄想中覺醒，回到智慧和理解的彼岸。
最後，佛教不是宗教，因爲“虔誠”用于佛教不是基于情緒，而是基于原因。佛陀的弟子致力于維護純潔心靈的修行，因爲這個修行能帶來真正的快樂。
我們致力于幫助他人和社會獲得究竟的理解和智慧。只有通過究竟的理解和智慧我們才能實現真實的自我與居住的環境。佛陀的教育真正地不是宗教而是一種教育，一種教導我們如何打破無知並達到一個完全證悟我們自己和我們周圍的一切的教育。
Buddhism is an Education, Not a Religion
According to the Webster”s Dictionary, the definition of religion is as follows, "An organized system of beliefs, rites, and celebrations centered on a supernatural being power; belief pursued with devotion." Buddhism is not a religion because: First, the Buddha is not a ”supernatural being power”. The Buddha is simply a person who has reached Complete Understanding of the reality of life and the universe. Life refers to ourselves, and universe refers to our living environment. The Buddha taught that all beings possess the same ability within to reach Complete Understanding of themselves and their environment, and free themselves from all sufferings to attain utmost happiness. All beings can become Buddhas, and all beings and the Buddha are equal by nature. The Buddha is not a God, but a teacher, who teaches us the way to restore Wisdom and Understanding by conquering the greed, hatred, and ignorance which blind us at the present moment. The word ”Buddha” is a Sanskrit word, when translated it means, "Wisdom, Awareness/Understanding". We call the founder of Buddhism Shakyamuni ”Buddha” because He has attained Complete Understanding and Wisdom of life and the universe. Buddhism is His education to us, it is His teaching which shines the way to Buddhahood.
Second, Buddhism is not a religion because ”belief” in the Buddha”s teachings is not blind belief, blind faith, and far from superstition. Shakyamuni Buddha taught us not to blindly believe what he tells us, he wants us to try the teachings and prove them for ourselves. The Buddha wants us to know, not merely believe. The Buddha”s teachings flow from his own experience of the way to understand the true face of life and the univ`rse, and show us a path of our own to taste the truth for ourselves. This is much like a good friend telling us of his trip to Europe, the sights he has seen, and the way to go there and see for ourselves. The Buddha uses a perfectly scientific way of showing us reality in its true form.
Third, Buddhism is not a religion because all the ”rites and celebrations” are not centered on a supernatural being, but rather the people attending the assemblies. The ceremonies and celebrations in Buddhism all serve an educational purpose, a reminder of the Buddha”s teachings and encouragement to all students who practice it. For example, the Thousand Buddhas Repentance Ceremony practiced during Chinese New Year is to help the participants cultivate a humble heart and respect for others. The point of all ”ceremonies” is to help others awaken from delusion and return to Wisdom and Understanding.
Finally, Buddhism is not a religion because the ”devotion” used in Buddhism is not one based on emotion, but one based on reason. Students of the Buddha are devoted to their practice of maintaining Purity of Mind because this practice brings true happiness. We are devoted to help others and the Society attain Complete Understanding and Wisdom. Only through Complete Understanding and Wisdom can we realize our true selves and living environment. The Buddha”s education is truly not a religion but an education, teaching us the way to break through ignorance and arrive at a perfect understanding of ourselves and everything around us.
Our goal is True Happiness.
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