The Secret to Buddhisms Success - Essay Example

Buddhism, as a few people know, is not as much a religion as it is a meditative inner power of sorts. Contrary to other religions, Buddhism does not bestow upon its followers a doctrine or set of instructions that one must follow if they do not want to be banished to eternal hellfire. In fact, Buddhism’s primary principles are based on human psychology, something many people can and do relate to. Unlike a god that cannot be seen and that must be envisioned as being eternally powerful, Buddhism’s mantra revolves around inner finding, and inner peace with oneself (Hanh, pp.4 – 11). This lack of external factors incites people to come towards it and share in this belief. As it is human nature to be alpha dogs of society, this is ultimately the perfect combination of belief and human psychology since now man is satisfied that there is no factor outside his influence as far as life is concerned, and that, crude as it may sound, is a proposition that brings about satisfaction to man today.

The secret to Buddhism’s success lies within its principles; most ideas that conflict with man’s autonomous nature have been discarded by Buddhism. For example, Buddhism by and large rejects the tedious existence of God, angels, heaven and hell. So now, instead of feeling confined, forced and, in a way, threatened to believe in a religion, people are told that if they follow, they will be doing so only for their inner peace, and that equation settles well with most cynics and rebels of society. This lack of ultimatums makes a man feel less violated and less forced; in short, it is a religion that actively allows man to practice according to his free will. In addition, thus, as a progressive religion that adapts to man’s nature, it has done pretty well in terms of acceptance on a global level, as can be seen from its increasing numbers.

Transformation of consciousness is one of the primary aims of a Buddhist. In America, freedoms of all kinds are available. It is known as the land of the free because everyone is entitled to the fundamental rights of man. That is why, I believe, America is a place that actively tolerates and in fact, allows people to transform or change their ideologies and ways of thinking – their consciousness. Recently, in fact, the number of yoga institutions and meditation halls has increased all over America because outsiders (looking into a Buddhist belief) feel reconciled when they see Buddhists achieve inner peace because they feel that, for once, religion is not a sham and that they, too, can work towards the betterment of their person and their soul, and that brings about a great feeling of relief in the average insecure American.

Overall, Buddhism, as a belief and religion, is doing very well in gaining support and followers. This is due to the fact that its teaching coincides with fundamental human nature and it brings about inner peace. Both these factors together make for a good combination in this insecure world