By Ven. Dr K Sri Dhammandanda, Malaysia
(Excerpt from pg 171~172 of the Maha Bodhi, printed in 1984 Vol. 92)

Man is not intended for religion, religion is intended for man. Thus in order to survive, religion has had to adapt to the variations of time and place. Over a considerable length of time and in particular places, man needed the way of faith. In another place and period, he needed the rational approach (demanding the cause and effect principle). Yet in another place and period, people required the way of controlling the mind or the use of strong willpower. Thus various religions are introduced to suit various needs and purposes. A religion of miraculous power and magic is based on fear within the hearts and minds of its followers. A religion of faith is based merely on faith and prayer. A religion of kamma is based on the principle of self-help and assumes that each individual alone is responsible for his own salvation. A religion of wisdom is based on free thinking (reasoning). A religion of peace is based on non-harming oneself as well as others. A religion of loving-kindness of ‘Love’ is based on sacrificing everything for the sake of others to release their physical and mental suffering.

As religions differ according to the understanding capacity of their followers so do the interpretations offered by the various religions : all religions here and hereafter. Each religion offers its own answer. Some religions claim that man is on trial in this world. “For what purpose?” asks another, “How can man be judged on just one life when all men have not been given equal chances and when inequalities in physical, intellectual, and environmental factors affect every aspect of his life?” asks another religion.

Each religion has set its own standard regarding its goal. For some, even heavenly bliss is secondary to the cessation of existence as a whole. For others, the absorption in the Creative Force of the universe is the fundamental aim, while for yet others, the presence therewith is the Supreme Bliss.

Each religion has a different concept of punishment for being evil. According to some religions, a man is doomed forever for his failure in this existence. According to others, this life is only one of so many and a chance is always available to reform one’s self in stages until the final evolution leads him to the goal of Supreme Bliss.

Each religion offers its unique path which it postulates for the achievement of its respective goals. Some religions call for complete surrender before the God-head, while others call for stringent asceticism as the means of purging one’s self of all evil. “ Avoid evil, do good, keep the mind pure,” says another. The various religions uphold diverse paths : devotion and surrender to God ; intellectual realization of truth ; concentration of mind through meditations and the performance of rites and rituals.

In spite of the attempts made by religionists to adapt to the understanding capacity of their followers, there still exist many obstructions that prevent people from practicing a religion.

If religion is intended for man, then religion must be practiced for the welfare and happiness of all living beings. Yet today, human society is corrupted and has gone far away from real religious practices. Certainly, evil practices have become so common-place that society has found it difficult to maintain certain religious principles in the course of the modern way of life. Efforts are also being made to lower the basic religious precepts and principles to the level of that corrupted life. Rather, man should try to adjust himself according to the basic religious teachings. Religious precepts have been introduced by the enlightened religious teachers who have realized the real noble way of life. Those who violate these precepts also violate the universal law as well as the cosmic law. According to Buddhism, it is violation of moral causation.

Another obstruction to religion comes from those conservative people who oppose any kind of change in religious duties and performances. Such conservative views are like stagnant water. Fresh ideas must be constantly introduced into religious activities and organizations. These fresh ideas are like waterfall whose water is usable because it is clear and moving.

Another obstacle to religion comes from those people who think that religion is for dead people. These people think about religion when someone is about to die or is already dead.

Religion is not for the dead only, it is for the living, for people to lead a respectable and noble life, to live peacefully with other fellow-beings and to mould their lives now and hereafter in order to reach the final goal.