The Relevance of Buddhism
Some people may think that Buddhism is something which belongs to the past and can have no place in the modern world. But this is not so, because Buddhism is as relevant now as it was in the past. As a way of life, Buddhism shows people how to grow in maturity and wisdom so as to understand themselves and the world in which they live. When people begin to learn what Buddhism is, they will see that it can benefit them in many ways. At one level, Buddhism teaches the individual to cope with the events and circumstances of daily life. One develops such good attitudes towards life that one's relations with one's family and with the members of the community improves. At a higher level, Buddhism teaches one to develop one's mind so that one finally sees life as it is. From His own experience, the Buddha has shown that there is a way to end all suffering and attain supreme happiness. Thus the Buddha's Teaching gives a meaning to life.
The Spirit of Free Enquiry
The spirit of free enquiry is an important feature of Buddhism. The Buddha encouraged people to investigate the truth of His Teaching for themselves before accepting it. He never expected people to practise His Teaching out of blind faith and superstition. People should only practise what they find to be beneficial physically and mentally.
Self-reliance
Buddhism stresses the need for self-reliance and individual effort. Each person must work out for himself, the way to end suffering and attain happiness. It is his own actions that determine his future. His destiny is not determined by any external power or agent. This means that each man is responsible for his own actions. A person can progress or develop as much as his own efforts allow. Through dedication, self-discipline and wise judgement, he can reach the highest goals of life.
Tolerance
Because Buddhism respects the right of people to enquire freely and to choose for themselves, it is tolerant towards other faiths. Buddhism teaches one to live in harmony with all, regardless of race or religion. This attitude of tolerance is particularly important in a society like Singapore where many races and religious co-exist.
Loving-kindness and Compassion
Buddhism recognises that all living beings are equal. It teaches universal loving-kindness and compassion not only to all men but also to all creatures. All living beings, men and animals alike, share a common environment. If men want to live happily in this world, they must have concern for the welfare of others.
Buddhism and Science
There is no conflict between modern scientific discoveries of today and the Buddha's Teaching. Many things that the Buddha taught about 2500 years ago have been proven true by modern science. The importance and power of the mind, the impermanence of things, the divisibility of the atom, the relativity of matter and energy, and even the structure of the universe - all these are contained in the Buddha's Teaching. So a Buddhist does not have to ignore the facts about man and the universe that are gradually being revealed by science.