________________
What is religion?
Religion is quest for truth St. Augustine uses reason to justify faith. Religion is to follow valuable moral principles. Religion is human recognition of a super human : controlling powers who gives man a clear insight, a set of beliefs faiths practices, associated with supernatural powers which shapes, directs, human life & death, commitment to ideas that provide coherence for one's existence, divine force offering moral guidance for believers.
Religion is to know, discover, appreciate, create beauty, to do justice, develop norms, conduct, to stop sinful activity like cheating exploiting & unhealthy desires. Religion is vision of something beyond, within & behind. Religion is religare means binds together, communicating with common goals values, which influences everything in daily life, house we stay, food we eat, books we read, knowledge, wisdom, rituals of marriage, death, birth; not mere personality but wholesomeness, intrinsic morality tradition, customs, ethics, ceremonials, worship. Religion is material framed in philosophy appraisal of higher values of life direction to lead our life, thoghts ideas, principles of unification, harmonisation is not mere conviction but conduct, not mere belief but behaviour, not mere faith but functioning. .
Religion is morality touched with emotion which formulates laws of conduct for society, for personal & social good. Religion is truth, virtues which uphold, enhance, reinforce, support of sustain, is right way of living keeps harmony with environment. Religion is growth grom within, spiritual power which gives peace of mind & bliss.
Religion is inspiration for worlds greatest art, archetecture like vatican city, temples of Mount Abu, Many stone-carving like Ajanta Ellora Elephanta caves, Canary caves, Stupas, icons, Calligraphy, Greek statues.
Religion is duty obligation, responsibilities towards others, is an art of living, Religion is to remove defilement, perversion & making mind pure noble & kind, by cultivating lofty qualities like compassion, truth, duty, rightousness, & morality towards surrounding.
Methew Arnold, “Religion is nothing but morality touched with emotion ideals & ethics." Kant, “Religion is based upon ethics & existence of God is due to existence of ethics. Religion is kernel education gives pleasure as contact with flower, it purifies life of community. Religion is the consciousness of universal good & not selfishness.
Religiosity is not only visiting temples, Gurus, engaging in rituals
Jain Education International
For Personal & Private Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org