tiltbillings wrote:Peter wrote:From Miriam Webster: "a pursuit or interest to which someone ascribes supreme importance".
What is interesting here is that the religion poo-poo-ers are working with definition of religion that is far too limited. The above gets at religion as it actually is on a personal level without limiting it to institutional structures.
I wonder what happens if I use the above definition on the original questions?
- How does the _idea_ of religion itself make you feel?
The idea that one could ascribe supreme importance to a pursuit or interest strikes me as a positive thing. Greatly motivated people are often the ones who accomplish great things. (To paraphrase Mr. Ollivander, "Terrible, yes sometimes, but great!")
- How familiar are you with the history and origin of the idea of religion (the concept, not the phenomenon)?
Not very.
- Why do you choose to engage with Buddhism as a religion rather than just as a body of valuable wisdom and practices?
For motivational purposes.
- For you personally, what elements of Buddhism need to be viewed through the lens of "religion"?
The non-obvious parts, the non-intuitive parts, and the parts that bug me.
- Is meditation, lovingkindness, generosity, compassion, or death contemplation inherently a religious activity?
No, nothing is inherently ascribed supreme importance.
- Is a religious perspective necessary to understand and practice sila?
I think to develop it fully, yes, one needs to ascribe to sila supreme importance. Otherwise, one is prone to let lesser motivations take the reins.
- Is a religious perspective necessary to understand kamma?
I think for one to practice in accordance with it one needs to ascribe to kamma supreme importance. Otherwise, one is prone to favor short term gains with long term harm over short term discomfort with long term benefit.
- Is the experience of clarity (both incremental and ultimate) a religious experience?
Yes, the experience of clarity is of supreme importance.
- Are the various mind-states (or stages) encountered throughout our meditation practice religious experiences?
I suppose it depends on which mind states we're talking about. Perhaps it also depends on what stage of the path one is at.
- If you hold a belief in rebirth: Is a religious perspective necessary in order to have a positive rebirth experience upon death of the body?
No, positive rebirths can be due to kamma made in the past.