I have a strange feeling that many times our religions produce opposite effects that we assume that they must. For example, Buddhism stressed three things; discipline, compassion and wisdom; and the Christian communities stress renounces violence, forgiveness and unconditional love. But do to Buddhist and Christian communities exhibit their declared values?
Buddhist, even to the Buddhist monks, they are fighting for freedom in Tibet and Sri Lanka. Christians struggle against Islamic terrorists in Iraq and the Middle East. The Jews, are reportedly fighting almost everybody! And I am sure that somewhere, Buddhists, Jews and Christians are fighting each other about something or another. It seems that if our passions are awake enough, religious guidelines go to the window.
This raises a thorny issue; If religions only work for those who follow religiously, and even supporters depart as passions tell you, how can that religion is supposedly the magic balm that keeps humanity sane it be? It doesn't do that. In fact, some of the most vicious fighting that has ever taken place, it has taken place between religious factions. It's almost as if the role of religion is but a placator between passions, a journey of guilt enormous to offset our inherent violence.
This is all speculation, of course, but if it is true that religion has never fundamentally changed the violent nature of mankind, it could be that our violent nature can never be tamed and only needs a passionate trigger?
On the other hand, is that humanity to become triggerless or multibotón, where no matter how difficult are pushed our buttons, do not pull the trigger it possible? I believe that this is possible. Not only possible, but the great potential that humanity offers the universe. I believe that we cannot all be like Christ and Buddha - as. I think we have that potential.
Do if the religion is only a convenient hideout and subterfuge from our real nature, which appears to be violence, what if we fell religion entirely by what we see our true nature without rationalize or deny it? Perhaps only we be religious? I think that what hooks us about religion is the psychological need to live after the death of somehow, i.e., mostly age lies in churches! It is this continuation of ego, I think, is the basis of religion. In other words, the foundation of religion is to save our own inspiration!
If I am not mistaken and this is why we pray to save us, I can see why never reach our violence. We are still trapped in what is good for us, is what will happen with us, and therefore remain fearful because we ourselves must be protected.? It is only passing thoughts about others, in a lame attempt to agree with our religious tenants. What really interests us is ourselves, and we even use our religions to promote ourselves. How can this ever heal our violence? The event involves violence, because it implies the promotion of us pushing ahead of someone or something else.
If our religious freedom is always threatened, for example as threatened in Tibet, the fear is that we can practice our religion and therefore will not go to heaven or Nirvana. But what a collective practice of religion has to do with our individual salvation? As we are aware, we can practice out internally regardless of where we are. Fear is not, someone telling us what can and cannot be done, and this awakens passion. It's strong will.
No one said the Buddha or Christ that he could not walk as a vagabond homeless, penniless. Who would care? It is only when pose us a threat to someone who breaks out the violence. So the question should be; our religions pose one threat to others and if so, why? Do do threaten others by our religion? Do we carry without our organized religions and find peace within our own hearts?
Christ and the Buddha, not rely on Judaism or Hinduism, seem to have pulled this come with their own truths. Could we do the same? I think that if we knew how we could. But how would it be? What did the Buddha and Christ different from what we do now?
On the one hand, they do not go to the synagogue or temple; He struck out on his own. Also, both spent much time in solitude, dessert or in the forest. And finally, lived their ideals, instead of talking only about them while the agendas hidden, others.
If this technique worked for these two men, why not us? Have they how many of us spent much time in solitude, in the desert or in the forest or at least in the solitude of our own minds? On the contrary, we surround ourselves entertainment and friends, never a dull moment. This difference would be the indication that we are looking for ending our internal violence; can simply be with us long enough to understand the futility of violence, the futility of win?
Finally, adventurous people will try a new way, simply because the old ways are producing the same results that have plagued humanity forever. And if you include new way to organized religion, still has to be seen.
The Buddha said that the Buddhist religion is similar to a raft, only a method of eliminating the cycle of birth and death. He asked,
"And when you are in everything, they will continue to carry the raft in the head?"
E. Raymond Rock of Fort Myers, Florida is a co-founder and principal Professor at the center of Florida Southwest Insight, http://www.SouthwestFloridaInsightCenter.com -his twenty-eight years of experience of meditation led him across four continents, including two scales in Thailand where he practiced in the remote Northeast forests as a Buddhist monk ordained Theravada. His book, a year to enlightenment (books of press and new race pages) is now available in major bookstores and online retailers. Visit [http://www.][AYearToEnlightenment.com]