Freedom From Religion: Buddhism Wins Best Religion in the World Award

Jer, where the heck did you find that? My sense is that it's a joke, as I can't find any reference to the organization anywhere on the web. It is pretty funny though. "We're going to keep calling around until we find a Buddhist who will accept it. We'll let you know when we do." lolz. I'll take it!

I don't think it's an Onion article. The organization says it keeps a low profile so not EVERYTHING is on the web. I'll keep checking around. But either way,buddhism IS the best religion in the world except it's not a religion.

Empathetics - If I somehow get in touch with Hans Groelinchen to confirm this is true, where should I have him send the award? I wonder if it's a statue or certificate or what.

Buddhism isn't a religion? That may be how we'd like to see it, but first you should visit some Buddhist communities in Asia. Forget about the Buddha's fine teachings; the institutions of Buddhism are religious. See my memoir The Novice, about my eight years as a monk with the Tibetans, at: http://www.schettini.com/

Still, while there are some buddhist nuts, there aren't that many.

Theravada Buddhists don't do 'buddha nature.' Of course this piece is a joke, anyway.

A buddha-nature, I completely and totally disagree that theravadan buddhists don't do buddha-nature. The most important piece of the pali canon is the buddha recalling a moment as a child where he felt spontaneously and naturally present without any effort at all. This is what separated his developing practice from what he had studied previously in meditation. All buddhists do Buddha-nature in one form or another.

This story appears on many sites on the internet, including a blog on Thailand's 'TheNation' newspaper, however, search of Google fails to find the International Coalition for the Advancement of
Religious and Spirituality (ICARUS) It reveals nothing but references to this article. They could have contacted the World Fellowship of Buddhists or the International Day of Vesak committee if they were genuine.

How much authentic is this news? Could you provide weblink to this news article by Linda Moulin in Tribune de Geneve? or could you send the scanned copy of this news story? There are many Buddhist in India and other countries of the world who would like to know the authencity of this news story.

First of all, I thank FFRF, a non religious organization for choosing Buddhism as the world's best 'religion'.

If an organization or a person wishes to give an award to Buddhism, one must learn and follow the teachings of the Lord Buddha. One should pay deepest respect to the lord Buddha, the founder of Buddhism and the teacher of the Dhamma.

However, Religion is Theocentric (God center) teaching. Dhamma is homocentric (human center) teaching. If someone follows the Dhamma, pratice the Dhamma, he is automatically free from religion.

The best following of the Buddha's teaching is the best reward to Buddhism as the best religion.

Dr. Ashin Nyanissara
Chancellor Sitagu International Buddhist Academy
Sagaing, Myanmar

the article is indeed an urban legend, onion-style -- but the onion seems to have peeled away to its final layer ... and in the center of it we find ... nothing

As founder of "Buddhism for Happiness" meetup group, I would like to accept this award in honor of all Buddhists and to praise and pay homage to the founder of Buddhism, Shakyamuni Buddha Gotama Siddhartha, and I would like to offer the trophy to the Field of Acummulated Merit, which consists of all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in the ten directions, and I would like to accept this award for all times, so therefore I would like to imagine that all sentient beings have attained complete Buddhahood, and therefore I visualize that all my dogs and cats are already Buddhas and have human bodies instead of dog or cat bodies. And therefore I would like to think that by the time everybody has become a Buddha, that they have dispensed of all their previous religions, and having done so there would only be one religion, and that would be the Buddhist religion, which is really a nonreligion, but then that would be the only way that such an award could go to any religion, because if ICARUS had given it to the Christian religion, then the Jews and the Moslems would have been pissed off, and if you had given it to any one of the other two, then the other two would have been pissed off. You get the picture. The Religions would have gone to war against the one that had won the award. So that is why the religious leaders voted for Buddhism, because it was the most nonreligious of the World Religions. And since I see that nobody is accepting this award, I decided to accept it myself. I have taken the Refuge ceremony, so that makes me a Buddhist, even though I am a lousy and lazy practitioner. I got issues with not lying, not stealing, not killing, etc.

Superbly said Ailene!
Your comment has been blogged on Stumbleupon:
http://thamus.stumbleupon.com/review/34672651/
Excellent.

Why is it that there doesn't seem to be any mention of this at the Freedom From Religion Foundation website? Personally, I think that Buddhism has a lot to offer, but Buddhists may be about as gullible as people in general.

Ailene raises some deep questions about Buddhism, and some very emotional issues with religions everywhere. I recommend everyone read the blog.

Still, the problems Ailene points out are exactly why the Buddhists aren't accepting the award. Religion encourages superstition while philosophy provides a framework for investigation. Most Buddhists do not consider themselves "religious" but rather philosophical, for this very reason.

And as far as gods and angels go - I'd be hard pressed to find a monk or serious buddhist practitioner who believes they are anything but artifacts of a superstitious culture trying to grow up and wake up (but there will always be nut-cases out there). And as far as the instances of violence in countries where there are predominately Buddhists. Well, the old saying is true - you can lead a horse to water...

Don't take my word for it though. Read the original scriptures, in particular the Kalama sutta (it is easy to find on the web - there is a link to the wiki above) where the Buddha tells people not to believe in the trappings of superstition or religion, and not even to believe what he says, but to only believe in what they themselves experience personally. In other words, he recommends a philosophical/scientific approach to experience, not a religious one. Investigate, experiment, and as the Buddha says "come see for yourself."

Buddhism is philosophy, and it is centered on finding the "Truth" by oneself. It seems silly to argue about this and whether the IARUS should or should not have awarded this to the Buddhism. The fact is they did. Buddhist practices spread beyond 'oneself' to all others, animals, as well as the protection of environment they live; hence the peace and harmony in inherent in their practices. Consequently, the peacefulness and the compassionate nature are prevalent among the practicing Buddhists.
With reference to the ICARUS, there is no need to give a formal presentation to any Buddhist; but the simple fact of recognition by the selection committee is enough for others to open their eyes and ears. We need to pay attention to such peace-generating practices. The recognition and the award should be for all practising Buddhists, and for those who are interested in this Philosophy.
Prof. Sunil Wimalawansa

The suitable recipient of this award is Prof Dr Most Ven Phra Dhammakosajarn, Rector of Mahachulalongkornrajvidyalaya Buddhist University. website: http://buddhism.mcu.ac.th

A new type of award.
Now who is going to accept this ?
However, these things are not for buddhists or buddhism.
If you understand a little of buddhism, you wont give such an award.
Why, its simply against its principles. Buddhism simply showed you the path to your own salvation - thats all. So, there cannot be any space for 'the best', 'its me', 'I'm the one' type of concepts.
Buddhism preches about getting ourselvs free of such ideals or feelings - thats the path to liberation, not to embrace them.

fastest growing religion in the world is Islam..!!

As per Buddhist scripture.. its mentioned in the Gospel of Buddha about the coming of Prophet Muhammed (pbuh), which the Quran will be the last and final revelation to Mankind the guidence given to last and final Prophet Muhammed (pbuh).

Similar message is also mentioned in the Bible old testimont as well as the new testimont and king james version where Jesus Chris (PBUH) said i have many things to say unto you that you cant bear them now when the spirit of truth shall come he will guide you.etc..

Similar message also mentioned in Zoras persian scriptures

Also mentioned in Hindu scriptures in Vedas ..about Prophet Muhammed(PBUH) and about his companion and oneness of GOD almighty.

All the major religion scriptures talks about ISLAM ..Quran said in every age and to every nation we have sent a warner and the last and final Messanger Prophet Muhammed and Quran was sent to the whole of humanity.

It is time to think about the true GOD and his creations.
go back to your scriptures and realize GOD is one and the last and final Messanger is Prophet Muhammed pbuh. before giving a way an Award
for a religion before knowing what the scriptures has to say about it.

“It is mentioned in the Readers Digest magazine as per a survey done regarding the growth of religions during the period of year 1934 - 1984, which stated”

Islam - 235% growth
Christianity - 47% growth

Assalamu aleikum..

The Buddhist tradition I like to follow the most is Zen:

The Zen master Hakuin was praised by his neighbours as one living a pure life.

A beautiful Japanese girl whose parents owned a food store lived near him. Suddenly, without any warning, her parents discovered she was with child.

This made her parents angry. She would not confess who the man was, but after much harassment at last named Hakuin.

In great anger the parent went to the master. "Is that so?" was all he would say.

After the child was born it was brought to Hakuin. By this time he had lost his reputation, which did not trouble him, but he took very good care of the child. He obtained milk from his neighbours and everything else he needed.

A year later the girl-mother could stand it no longer. She told her parents the truth - the real father of the child was a young man who worked in the fishmarket.

The mother and father of the girl at once went to Hakuin to ask forgiveness, to apologize at length, and to get the child back.

Hakuin was willing. In yielding the child, all he said was: "Is that so?"

@ Russ: http://www.tdg.ch/ Real, Maybe the issue here isnt that Buddhist are soft headed or skeptical maybe the truth is you dont understand the "Religion" you "Follow" Buddhism isnt a religion in the traditional aspect but a way of life http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism Heres a link to wikipedia's page on buddhism read up and learn before you spew bullshit.

@Affa: You should read the caption of the article. Its The "BEST RELIGION IN THE WORLD" NOT "THE BEST RELIGION TO SPREAD ITS MESSAGE AT THE TIP OF A SWORD AND THE WORDS OF A DERANGED SUICIDE BOMBER" as to suicide bombers "Do not kill yourselves, for Allah is compassionate towards you. Whoever does so, in transgression and wrongfully, We shall roast in a fire, and that is an easy matter for Allah." (an-Nisaa 4:29-30)

"And most importantly, how would it be possible to pit ENTIRE RELIGIONS against one another in a competition?"

Apparently Russ has never heard of the Crusades or Jihad. . .

I agree with u nora.....moslem r very hypocrit.

What is the point of these comments that seek to put down other religions so viciously. Did anyone actually appreciate the reason this award was given and publicized. Pointing out the negative in other's ideology is the exact reason that there is so much strife between people of different backgrounds and beliefs. Instead embrace the positive aspects while disagreeing respectfully with the objectionable things.

It is really a matter of proud for every citizen of the world. Buddhism does not belong to any community and country it belongs to all. All human being, who are working with their positive mind for the welfare of mankind are Buddhist. After all Buddhism is welfare for every one and its a art of positive living in this world. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar has given Buddhism to Dalits, former untouchable because they were not equally treated in the Hindu Religion. I am proud to be Ambedkarite and Buddhist.
Best wishes to all positive mind users.

Buddhism spiritual practice added value to our life

Buddhism and Buddhist Places was attacked by invaders and some peoples!
But Still the the teachings of Buddhism makes it still best religion in world.

Our Buddhist group is called International Bodhisattva Sangha a 501 C (3) institution. We had been servicing the inmates in the prison since 1995 on a volunteering base. Our main focus is to bring the Buddhist philosophy to the human being who needs it regardless who they are and where they are. We found out that Buddhism is widely accepted in the California State Prison. We are visiting four prisons in the southern California and hopefully can extend to more state prisons.( California has the most inmates population in the nation - 33 state prison in California.) We have no problem to accept the award of what they are going to give out simply because it depends how do you define religion.
As long as religion can benefit the mankind we would like to accept the award to facilitate our work in the prison.
Please look into our web site ibs.tw (headquarter) in Taiwan.