"Work Out your Own Salvation with Fear and Diligence" by Buddha

Reflection on Buddhism
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Reflection on Buddhism
Religion has played an important role in the life of humans. In most instances, it has defined how people relate to each other and their surroundings. While some of the beliefs have been useful, religion has often been used to mislead people. Buddha’s last words, “Work out your own salvation with fear and diligence,” demonstrate the need for his disciples to abandon misleading teachings regarding salvation.
Buddha’s words originate from challenges brought about by the strict demands of the Brahmin religion. Firstly, the strict regulations brought about by religion have made religious discoveries to remain a secret possession of a few people (Smith, 1958 pg. 92). Such an approach implies that only a few people can determine the course of religious beliefs. Additionally, Brahmanic rites make it challenging for a common Buddhist faithful. The rituals, sacrifices and chants among others in Brahamanic rites are accessible to the elite. This implies that only wealthy individuals who have the money to pay the priest can perform the rites (92). Furthermore, the emergence of scholastic approaches question the existence of God. For instance, Western scholars are increasingly seeking to prove the existence of God by raising some fundamental questions. Such a view distorts the very idea of God and may cause a believer to question the authenticity of their salvation.
The idea of salvation has become a critical point of contention and hence the need for the believer to understand what it entails. Misleading ideas have emerged regarding what salvation entails. Some individ...