Is Buddhism a religion?

I’m sure that Buddhism is not like a religion that trains people to believe in God, its creation and the messenger of such a God without question. There is nothing to do with these three things in Buddhism.

In my understanding, the Buddha cleverly and wisely came out of religious mess in India without disturbing any religion and being disturbed by any religious idea too. He bravely and courageously taught people his scientific method that can be tested by anyone inviting their close inspection very openly (Ehipassiko- come and see).

If you are just the one reading his teaching, you will be like someone who just reads the instruction of a doctor. As long as you do not follow the doctor’s instruction precisely , you will never get better. It will not be the fault of the doctor but your fault.

For me the Buddha is like a doctor; his teaching, Dhamma is the instruction. As soon as we follow the instruction of the Buddha, we will become healthier and better soon living skillfully in deeds, words and thoughts. Of course, there are a lot more left to say. Let me drop my answer here.

Author:

Ashin Kekasa is a graduate in Mathematics. He finished his both public and monastic educations. His major interest was Mindfulness-Based Vipassana Meditation instructed in Buddhism. He took six months long retreat course in Mahasi Meditation Center when he was a layman. After his six months long meditation practice, he became a Buddhist ordained in Mahasi Tradition. However, he wanted to know much more about Buddhist philosophy so he moved to Mahagandhayon monastery to study Pali scriptures seriously. He has spent teaching and practicing in Mahagandhayon monastery. He did it well. Then, he moved to the forest for his serious meditation practice. He founded his own forest meditation center 15 years ago. He has been conducting Vipassana retreat for laypeople twice a year. He has also been used to travelling to abroad since 2004 because he is invited by people to teach them meditation. It is just a brief biography of Ashin Kelasa.