For this post, ignore whether you are religious, or whether you believe in anything specific. I would like to dig deep down to the fundamental issue within any type of religion, sect or for that matter organization that tries to profess an idea to help people. This issue touches on why any kind of belief or idea however wonderful it may be can not truly hope to achieve perfection in the human realm. For the purpose of this thought process, try and ignore any issues you personally have with any belief system used as examples. Christianity, Islam and Buddhism, the latter especially, are ideal to illustrate this flaw.
Each of these religions was founded, or more so originated from one person. Jesus, Mohammed and Buddha had visions and ideas that they brought forth and showed to people. They were convinced of the good that they could bring to the world and I believe they were right to think that. But if you look at the state of those religions now, or more so the believers of those religions one must come to the conclusion that something went wrong along the way. How could there be so many people who supposedly believe and yet seem to miss the point or maybe the true understanding?
Buddhism is a good example to illustrate this with. There are no direct writings from Buddha which could be used as primary source. For all we know he even recognized the danger in language and the possibility of written texts being misinterpreted or misused. But even through writings that merely describe his life or way of thinking one can see the deep wisdom this man had. If his vision and understanding were so clear it is hard to see how there could possibly be divisions within Buddhism. These divisions naturally come down to personal interpretations of what he taught. As language is so vague, there is little hope in making anybody understand a complex idea, let alone enlightenment. Each person when confronted with these teachings, no matter how close to Buddha, would have most definitely misunderstood concepts, or just believed blindly in things they did not truly understand. This in itself would lead to a huge divergence over time and space.
In addition to simple misunderstanding would come the multitude of human flaws. The Christian church and some Islamic leaders are sadly the best examples for this. Failing to understand the concept of enlightenment, all that remains for some people is to fall to desires of materialistic background. The effects of hunger for power and simple greed are visible anywhere and only the most naïve can think that any religion or organization professing to help people is spared of such members.
Following this criticism, one can not ignore the positive sides that most of these organisations have. Even though many people will use any opportunity to their advantage and not stop at manipulating help seeking and good hearted human beings, there is also good. Any person who finds their peace and understanding through such an organization and manages to maintain it throughout their life creates a valid argument for its existence. No matter how misled their belief is, or how untrue it seems from one’s point of view, there is nothing greater than absolute peace and happiness that can be achieved. Would you want to exchange that for some “better truth”?
This brings forth another human aspect that can easily turn into a flaw. The need to prove one’s self right, even if everybody suffers. This list could naturally be led on without end, leading from one human facet to the next, but understanding these is what enlightenment about.
The truth about the world if you truly understand it encompasses everything, from science, through art and human psyche down to religion. The only difference between understanding in bliss and being tormented by outside ideas is a matter of interpretation. When you can interpret everything in such a way that it fits together and does not cause you any mental anguish. When you can look around you without feeling a single negative emotion or thought, then you may believe that you are truly enlightened.
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