Which is the proper religion?

[RedLantern]

It is very difficult for one to find out why there are so many religions,and which is the true one.Followers of every religion are trying to show the superiority of their religion.Diversity has created some uniformity,but in matters of religion.one has to look upon each other with jealousy,hatred and disdain.
The most respected religious practices in one religion are deemed ridiculous to others.To introduce their divine and powerful messages some people have resorted to weapons and wars. Have they not polluted the good name of religion?It seems that certain religions are responsible for dividing instead of uniting mankind.

[fruven]

We cannot fault the religion. Religion is the spiritual path for people who wish to become a better person. It is the people who uses religion to practise non-religion that is non-spirituality. A similar analogy can be made to a language. There is no best or proper language to adopt. It is not the fault of the language if someone is bitter, anger some, hateful, jealous, or greedy. It is the fault of the person who used the language for his own ends. Language is more or less neutral; that cannot be said for religions. Religions taught us to do good, maintain moral discipline, and be of service to others. If one do opposite of religion than it become something which is negative.

[Tammy]

In my humble opinion, religions are all of kind and good intention. They spread love, compassion and kindness to make this world (and beyond) a better place.

The voilent acts being carried out are by HUMAN and NOT RELIGIONS, the acts of cruelty are fueled by greed and ignorance of human nature.

So stop blaming religions for acts of voilent and cruelty, instead look inside us, can we be rid of our 3-poisons???

[brian]

There are many religions in this world,  but we often hear people asking what is the best religion of the religions?? I think there is no need to find out which religion is the best or which is a true one. For me, the religion that tells you not to hurt others, not to be hateful, be kind to others, that gives you logic in your questions in life and tells you to be a good person is a good religion. Religions do not tell you to hurt and be hateful of others till the extend of killing others for your own interest.

[diablo1974]

In most situations, we are unlikely to go through the A-Zs of a religion before we put our faith to a selected one. Most get an overview of the more popular ones and some gained faith through helps from the respective religious groups. All good religions spread the word of kindness and love on a human level at the minimum, but for Buddhism, we are encouraged to extend our inner qualities to many beings including the unknowns. And most importantly, its the real food for the mind.

[DS Star]

During Buddha's time, similar question was asked, and Buddha has given guidelines on how to choose or follow a religion; the advice of Buddha is known as the Kalama Sutta (in Pali).

"The Kalama Sutta, which sets forth the principles that should be followed by a seeker of truth, and which contains a standard things are judged by, belongs to a framework of the Dhamma; the four solaces taught in the sutta point out the extent to which the Buddha permits suspense of judgment in matters beyond normal cognition. The solaces show that the reason for a virtuous life does not necessarily depend on belief in rebirth or retribution, but on mental well-being acquired through the overcoming of greed, hate, and delusion." ~ Soma Thera

Kalama Sutta

The people of Kalama asked the Buddha who to believe out of all the ascetics, sages, venerables, and holy ones who, like himself, passed through their town. They complained that they were confused by the many contradictions they discovered in what they heard. The Kalama Sutta is the Buddha's reply.

•   Do not believe anything on mere hearsay.

•   Do not believe in traditions merely because they are old and have been handed down for many generations and in many places.

•   Do not believe anything on account of rumors or because people talk a a great deal about it.

•   Do not believe anything because you are shown the written testimony of some ancient sage.

•   Do not believe in what you have fancied, thinking that, because it is extraordinary, it must have been inspired by a god or other wonderful being.

•   Do not believe anything merely because presumption is in its favor, or because the custom of many years inclines you to take it as true.

•   Do not believe anything merely on the authority of your teachers and priests.

•   But, whatever, after thorough investigation and reflection, you find to agree with reason and experience, as conducive to the good and benefit of one and all and of the world at large, accept only that as true, and shape your life in accordance with it.

The same text, said the Buddha, must be applied to his own teachings.
•   Do not accept any doctrine from reverence, but first try it as gold is tried by fire.

[fruven]

There are many religions in this world,  but we often hear people asking what is the best religion of the religions?? I think there is no need to find out which religion is the best or which is a true one. For me, the religion that tells you not to hurt others, not to be hateful, be kind to others, that gives you logic in your questions in life and tells you to be a good person is a good religion. Religions do not tell you to hurt and be hateful of others till the extend of killing others for your own interest.

The best religion for you may not be for others. Unfortunately many do not think this way and forcing others to accept their religious belief. It is a form of self-validation. Mine is the best therefore others must join us. This contradicts the spirit of religion which is to develop love and respect of others. Therefore it is best one decides for oneself. No one wants second best religion because one would want the best for oneself. Religious text, therefore, would written that it is the best religion. The answer is to study more.

[yontenjamyang]

It is said that one do not need to be a Buddhist for one to be enlightened or at least to be on the path. Hence, one can be of any religion to be renounced and to that refuge in the virtuous and to work for the benefit for others and through these actions one can gain the merits and wisdom to ultimate happiness. There are many great examples of these types known to us for example, Mother Theresa, Nelson Mandela and Gandhi and even greater numbers I suspect not known to us.

All religion teaches one to be virtuous and compassionate and to transform ons mind and conduct. Depending on the scope of mind of the person, all religion advocate methods that suit the mind of the person. In choosing the religion; if one is not born into it (sometimes are not allowed by law or the religion to change their religion); the person need to consider which one is more suitable to him/her and within a certain religion there are different denomination and practices that one may chose from.

So, to me, the religion is not the problem, it is the practice that is the most important.

[kris]

All the major religions in the world spread love and compassionate, and this should be the way as this is what most people can relate to now. Of course there are people who interpreted the teachings wrongly and started killing others, and this happen in all religions.

Having said that, any religions who spread love, compassion and give up self for the benefit of others, to me, is a proper religion.

[Dondrup Shugden]

During Buddha's time, similar question was asked, and Buddha has given guidelines on how to choose or follow a religion; the advice of Buddha is known as the Kalama Sutta (in Pali).

"The Kalama Sutta, which sets forth the principles that should be followed by a seeker of truth, and which contains a standard things are judged by, belongs to a framework of the Dhamma; the four solaces taught in the sutta point out the extent to which the Buddha permits suspense of judgment in matters beyond normal cognition. The solaces show that the reason for a virtuous life does not necessarily depend on belief in rebirth or retribution, but on mental well-being acquired through the overcoming of greed, hate, and delusion." ~ Soma Thera

Kalama Sutta

The people of Kalama asked the Buddha who to believe out of all the ascetics, sages, venerables, and holy ones who, like himself, passed through their town. They complained that they were confused by the many contradictions they discovered in what they heard. The Kalama Sutta is the Buddha's reply.

•   Do not believe anything on mere hearsay.

•   Do not believe in traditions merely because they are old and have been handed down for many generations and in many places.

•   Do not believe anything on account of rumors or because people talk a a great deal about it.

•   Do not believe anything because you are shown the written testimony of some ancient sage.

•   Do not believe in what you have fancied, thinking that, because it is extraordinary, it must have been inspired by a god or other wonderful being.

•   Do not believe anything merely because presumption is in its favor, or because the custom of many years inclines you to take it as true.

•   Do not believe anything merely on the authority of your teachers and priests.

•   But, whatever, after thorough investigation and reflection, you find to agree with reason and experience, as conducive to the good and benefit of one and all and of the world at large, accept only that as true, and shape your life in accordance with it.

The same text, said the Buddha, must be applied to his own teachings.
•   Do not accept any doctrine from reverence, but first try it as gold is tried by fire.

The Buddha's teachings are without fault nor contradictions and the above are His teaching on finding a religion that leads us to the ultimate truth for our being here on earth.

Amazingly neutral and the proper religion is one that you find rings the truth for you.  The truth is what is needed to start on our spiritual path. Not traditions, cultures, hearsay or whatever that is being preached.

[MoMo]

I believe during the time of historical Buddha , there is no such label of religion  such as Buddhism or Hinduism etc… I particularly like one that quoted in Kalama Sutra , so simple to understand for my limited mind and knowledge not as complex as how we argued or debate about which is the best religion of today or pitching the Southern against the Northern lineage of Buddhism . As stated above, Buddha quoted a simple way to check if the teacher is worth the salt if he teaches that will resulted in one becoming more selfless and less selfish  then, he is a good teacher. If it resulted in increasing of one three poison , then dump him like a plague ! 

[cookie]

In my opinion the most proper or best religion is the one that can actually transform the being to be better ie more patient, less anger, more generous, more kind, more compassionate, wiser, treats others equally etc etc.
or in other words, in order for people to claim that their religion is the best, they should show great transformation to embody more virtues in their lives which are used to benefit those around them and more !!

[Midakpa]

A religion is "a particular system of faith and worship based on religious belief: the Christian/Jewish/ Hindu religion." (from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary). It is difficult to define the term "proper religion". Does it mean the "best" religion? But it is a relative term. I believe that people have karmic affinity with a certain religion and would practice that religion at the spiritual level that they are at within that religion. Karma has a lot to do with the religion we are practising in this life. What is important is that a religion should teach love, tolerance, forgiveness, and respect for others and their beliefs.

[DharmaSpace]

Having or not having a religion is one's personal choice. And what is best for one may not be the best for another. One man's poison is another man's meat.

The best religion would be what is best for you and what helps you to develop your mind and grow spiritually, one that helps you to solve your problems currently and future lifetimes if I may say.

Buddhism is a religion that reveals the truth of our reality and existence to us, and I am happy to have met Buddhism and teachers in this life once again.

[eyesoftara]

Can there be more than one truth? That is the questions that pit religions against religion. Even if 2 or 3 religion believe in basically the God, human finds the differences and even go to war over the differences. Or did they really go to war because of religion? Perhaps it is the human delusions such as pride, jealousy, attachment and anger that causes the conflict.
All religion teaches love and compassion to one and others and essentially that is the most important thing. Religion should essentially lead to peace and harmony.