Picture: A Japanese school class learning in Kyoto how to meditate.
While Islam is growing in Europe through immigration, Buddhism is growing through inspiration. This “religion without God” as the German weekly magazine Die Zeit called Buddhism, differs in one fundamental way from the other monotheism: it has not been revealed by God but was discovered through self-experimentation by a human.2500 years ago Buddha tried all sorts of approaches to happiness and finally came up with a way of life to achieve happiness: the separation from the ego. Whereas Christianity, Islam and Judaism were transcended by God, Buddhism was “discovered” by trial and error. The historic Buddha discovered that by a specific mediation (Shamatha) one can free his mind from desires and start to see the real nature of the world (enlightenment). In a way it embodies the message that revolutionized Christianity and brought the European enlightenment: look for the truth yourself, do not trust any religious authorities! But maybe the reason for the popularity of Buddhism is much simpler: better visualization. Who is more inspiring: a suffering human being on a cross or an enigmatically and peacefully smiling seated person in gold? I think Buddha wins this race hands down.
For a very point-on description of the main world religions read (in German) here: http://www.zeit.de/2007/12/Buddhismus-Kasten
http://www.zeit.de/online/2007/11/bildergalerie-buddhismus?1
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