I AM A BUDDHIST

There are two reasons for me being Buddhist: one; I was born a Buddhist and two; I follow the principles of Buddha. 

A Buddhist ought to be sincere in following the teachings of Buddha. And I do it. Except I am a non-veg; it’s the only drawback I have as a Buddhist. But to acquire the diet, I don’t kill. 

As a Buddhist, I care no difference between religions, let alone of looking down or ostracizing and claiming superiority of my belief over others. It’s the differences that man tries to shed between their creeds which ultimately divide themselves into sections of otherwise one population. Kahlil Gibran wrote: “ You’re my brother and I love you. I love you worshiping in your church, kneeling in your temple, and praying in your mosque. You and I and all are children of one religion, for the varied paths of religion are but the fingers of the loving hand of the Supreme being, extended to all, offering completeness of spirit to all, anxious to receive all.”

When man focus and gets absorbed much in the differences, it’s then they become fanatic and comes up with malicious measures to exercise supremacy of one over the other, posing risk to everything, causing threat to humanity at large. 

I don’t know the current Buddhist population in the world or that of other religions either. I don’t even like to know. I am content in being sure of myself as a Buddhist and that I shouldn’t compare religions; comparison intends only one thing – persuasion – invitation or compulsion into a religion with larger population. 

I learned – as a Buddhist – to revere no barrier erect between religions or to respect the wall of the sort. Segregation is ugly. Separation is bad. 

Often times, many in general society still avoid relation because of the difference in their religions. They are preconceived with the idea one should be confined within one’s own creed. And mixing – not conversion – is betrayal; sin. 

My teacher married a Christian. They even have a child now. This added to my knowledge that religion cannot be a barrier in our population. It’s man’s narrow mind that is not fitting on the wide road of humanity. The cataract of ignorance tends to blind those from seeing the truth. 

Similarly, I also won’t retreat from marrying woman of other caste and creed, if I happen to fall for one. Marriage won’t change me. I would remain a Buddhist because Buddhist blood flows in my veins. You may think what would become of my children then. Well, as my teacher, I’ll provide them the freedom to choose their own religion. But before, I’ll teach them all religions can be one. And that I am a Buddhist.