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Digital Renaissance need NEW God, Religion, Philosophy.

Humans are in their age of semi-conductors, internet, digital money, AI. We are in digital Renaissance.

The Gods, religions, philosophies induced by agrarian social model will not work out any more in digital era. They are obsolete, outdated.

The human invention of God, philosophies, religions, spirituality have taken humans from barbaric or cannibalism to peaceful resource sharing society. Countries, big societies are formed due to this inventions. They helped humans to organise in a larger scale or build unity.

We have a organised ways of resource sharing across billions of people. When I say resource sharing I mean, food, shelter, sex, cloths, etc. The way resources were shared in barbaric society was ruthless. Agrarian society has a better “competitive resource sharing practices” when compared to barbaric or savage society. Evolution of Marriage played a vital role in agrarian society. Though there were inequalities here and there, by and large agrarian model was better than barbaric model. Now resource sharing practices of agrarian model is failing in digital society. Marriage is failing frequently and leading to disappointment and frustration mostly in digital age. Economically independent woman does not require a role called “husband” in long run. Financially independent wife is in no need to serve a “husband” forever unconditionally till either one dies. Digital age need new resource sharing practices better than agrarian model. Marriage has to be abandoned or better child care and old age care process has to be evolved as per digital age.

The life values of agrarian social system are expired or diluted in Digital society. We used a ladder to claim from barbaric to agrarian social setup. We cannot attach to that ladder anymore. We need new lift to claim from digital era further. Drop the ladder which we built and used to claim. Now we have to build and use a modern elevator to claim from digital Renaissance.

We need new God, religion, spirituality, philosophy to claim further from digital age.

If we continue to use the age old ladder, the nemesis will be worse and unimaginable like we consume expired medicine or rotten food.

If we, let it evolve on its own, it will take it’s sweet time to evolve, and many people will suffer in various ways or die out of resource to live during this evolving period.

After attaining freedom from British, India wrote it’s Constitution immediately. It did not wait for the Constitution to evolve. Like that, it is time now for World to create it’s new God, religion, philosophy, spirituality, resource(food, shelter, clothing, sex, comfort, luxury,status,pride) sharing practices globally according to digital era. No time for experiment, trial and error. Consciously create a new belief system and values.

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The Challenge of Existentialism: A Critique of Faith-Centric Religions

Existentialism, a philosophical movement that emerged in the 19th and 20th centuries, posed a significant challenge to traditional religious frameworks that emphasize faith and belief. Rooted in the idea that existence precedes essence, existentialism questions the reliance on religious doctrines that prioritize faith over a direct engagement with reality and facts. This article explores how existentialism can be perceived as a response to what it sees as a failure of religions that prioritize faith and belief at the expense of a genuine confrontation with the complexities of human existence.

The Primacy of Existence

Existentialism, as championed by thinkers like Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus, places a strong emphasis on individual existence and the responsibility that comes with it. This stands in contrast to religious traditions that often prioritize faith in a higher power or divine plan. Existentialists argue that an overemphasis on faith can lead to a detachment from the immediate reality of human experience, preventing individuals from fully engaging with the complexities and uncertainties of life.

Freedom and Responsibility

Existentialist philosophy underscores the radical freedom and responsibility of the individual. Traditional religious doctrines, which often assert a predetermined divine plan, may be seen as limiting human agency and accountability. Existentialists argue that a reliance on faith without critical engagement can result in a passive acceptance of circumstances, hindering the development of a genuine sense of responsibility for one’s choices and actions.

Authenticity vs. Dogma

Existentialism advocates for authenticity – the idea that individuals should live in accordance with their own values and beliefs rather than adhering to external dogmas. Religions that emphasize faith sometimes run the risk of promoting dogmatic adherence to prescribed beliefs, stifling individual authenticity. Existentialism suggests that a more honest and meaningful existence arises from a constant questioning of beliefs and a willingness to confront the uncertainties of life head-on.

Meaning in a Secular World

Existentialism grapples with the question of meaning in a seemingly indifferent universe. While religious traditions provide a structured framework of meaning through faith, existentialists argue for the creation of personal meaning through individual choices and experiences. The critique here is that reliance on faith may provide a comforting narrative, but it might not necessarily address the inherent existential angst that accompanies the human condition.

The Absurd and Religious Absolutism

Existentialists often confront the absurdity of life, asserting that the search for absolute meaning is futile. Religious traditions, by contrast, often claim to offer absolute truths and ultimate meaning. Existentialism challenges the idea that faith in these absolutes provides a genuine solution to the human quest for understanding and purpose, suggesting instead that meaning must be constructed within the context of individual experience.

Existentialism’s critique of religions that emphasize faith or belief can be seen as a call for a more engaged and authentic approach to human existence. While faith and belief play essential roles in many people’s lives, existentialism challenges the potential pitfalls of an uncritical reliance on these principles. It encourages individuals to confront the complexities of existence, take responsibility for their choices, and find meaning in a world that may not offer easy answers. In this way, existentialism serves as a reminder of the importance of a nuanced and thoughtful approach to the fundamental questions of human existence.

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The Ripple Effect: The Absorption of Buddhist Ideology by Later Religions

Buddhism, born from the enlightened mind of Siddhartha Gautama, has exerted a profound influence on the spiritual landscape of the world. Its core tenets, centered around compassion, mindfulness, and the quest for enlightenment, have not only shaped the development of various Buddhist traditions but have also found resonance and absorption into the fabric of later religions. This article explores the ways in which the ideology of Buddhism has been assimilated by and contributed to the evolution of other major religious traditions.

Mindfulness and Meditation

Buddhism places a strong emphasis on mindfulness and meditation as tools for self-awareness and inner transformation. These practices, originally intrinsic to Buddhism, have transcended the confines of the tradition. In Christianity, for instance, contemplative prayer and monastic practices reflect a parallel commitment to cultivating a deep, meditative awareness. The Christian mystics, such as the Desert Fathers, incorporated elements of Buddhist-style meditation into their spiritual disciplines, demonstrating an absorption of Buddhist contemplative principles.

Compassion and Universal Love

The Buddhist concept of compassion (karuṇā) and loving-kindness (mettā) has significantly influenced later religions, particularly within the Abrahamic traditions. Jesus Christ’s teachings on love and forgiveness in Christianity echo the Buddhist emphasis on compassion as a transformative force. Islamic Sufism, too, with its focus on love for God and all creation, reflects a resonance with the universal love preached by Buddhism. The common thread of compassion woven through these traditions underscores the interplay of ideas across religious boundaries.

Detachment and Non-Attachment

The Buddhist principle of detachment, rooted in the understanding of impermanence and the nature of suffering, has left an indelible mark on various religious and philosophical systems. Hinduism, with its diverse array of schools of thought, absorbed Buddhist ideas, including the importance of renunciation and detachment, into its own evolving framework. The Advaita Vedanta tradition, for example, integrates aspects of Buddhist non-attachment into its teachings on transcending the material world.

Emphasis on Ethical Conduct

The ethical principles outlined in Buddhism, encapsulated in concepts such as the Eightfold Path, have influenced the moral frameworks of later religions. Islam, for instance, incorporates a comprehensive ethical code within its religious teachings, emphasizing righteousness, justice, and compassion. The Ten Commandments in Judaism and Christianity similarly underscore the moral imperatives of right conduct and ethical living, aligning with the Buddhist emphasis on moral virtues.

Rejection of Ritualism

Buddhism, in its early form, challenged the ritualistic practices prevalent in contemporary Hinduism. This rejection of ritualism found echoes in later religions, particularly in the Protestant Reformation within Christianity. Figures like Martin Luther sought to strip away what they considered extraneous rituals and emphasized a direct, personal connection with God, reminiscent of the Buddhist rejection of elaborate rituals in favor of inner transformation.

Conclusion

The assimilation of Buddhist ideology into later religions highlights the dynamic nature of religious thought and the cross-pollination of ideas across cultural and geographical boundaries. As humanity continues its spiritual journey, the shared values of mindfulness, compassion, ethical conduct, and detachment serve as bridges between diverse religious traditions. The ripples of Buddhist thought have not only enriched the traditions from which they originated but have also contributed to the tapestry of global spirituality, fostering a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of all religious pursuits.

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The Buddha’s Eightfold Path: A Timeless Influence on Detachment and the Immaterial Nature of Life in Later Religions

The teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha, have left an indelible mark on the spiritual and philosophical landscape of humanity. Among his profound insights, the Eightfold Path stands out as a guiding light toward liberation and enlightenment. While Buddhism emerged over two millennia ago, its influence on later religions in terms of detachment and the immaterial nature of life has been both deep and enduring.

Prior to Buddha, no religions had the concept of peace, non-violence, detachment. Changing nature of world and its non-permanence is advocated by Buddha for the first time in human history. Correcting our behaviors, thoughts, emotions, speech are prescribed by Buddha for attaining enlightenment. Prior to Buddha, old religions were full of rituals, yagam, mantras, superstition, killing or scarifying animals or other living beings. Buddha changed to view of religion. His ideology of eightfold path was absorbed by later religions throughout the world in various flavors.

The Eightfold Path, a core component of Buddhist philosophy, serves as a practical guide for living a meaningful and fulfilling life. It encompasses Right Understanding, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration. These eight interconnected principles provide a roadmap for individuals seeking to attain Nirvana – the ultimate state of liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

Central to the Eightfold Path is the concept of detachment – the deliberate and conscious effort to distance oneself from the attachments and desires that perpetuate suffering. This idea of detachment extends beyond the superficial aspects of life and delves into the core of human existence. By cultivating Right Understanding and Right Intention, individuals are encouraged to perceive the impermanence of all things and to develop an attitude of non-attachment toward the material world.

The Buddha’s teachings on detachment and the immaterial nature of life have transcended the boundaries of Buddhism, influencing later religions and philosophies. One notable example is the impact on Hinduism, particularly through the teachings of Vedanta. The idea of transcending material desires and realizing the unity of all existence aligns closely with the Buddhist emphasis on detachment.

In addition, the influence of the Eightfold Path can be traced in various strands of Christian mysticism, where ascetic practices and contemplative prayer aim at achieving a state of union with the divine. The concept of detachment from worldly desires and the pursuit of a higher spiritual reality echoes the core principles of the Buddha’s teachings.

Islamic Sufism, with its emphasis on inner purification and detachment from worldly distractions, also reflects the influence of Buddhist thought. Sufi mystics seek a direct, personal experience of the divine, akin to the Buddhist goal of enlightenment through the Eightfold Path.

The Eightfold Path not only emphasizes detachment but also underscores the immaterial nature of life. Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration guide practitioners to cultivate a deep awareness of the present moment and develop a profound understanding of the transient and illusory nature of the material world.

This emphasis on the immaterial nature of life has resonated in later religions that advocate for a spiritual understanding beyond the confines of the physical realm. The emphasis on meditation, prayer, and contemplation in various religious traditions reflects an aspiration to connect with the immaterial aspects of existence and attain a higher state of consciousness.

The Buddha’s Eightfold Path has proven to be a timeless and universal guide for those seeking a path of enlightenment and liberation. Its influence on later religions in terms of detachment and the immaterial nature of life underscores the profound and enduring impact of Buddhist philosophy. As humanity continues its spiritual journey, the teachings of the Buddha remain a source of inspiration for those who seek to transcend the material and discover the boundless dimensions of the immaterial realm.

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Gist of Most Religions

No religion is addressing hunger. We have to fulfill our hunger.

1)Once hunger is fulfilled, next we have urges for lust, desire, comfort, fear, jealous, greedy, ego, selfish instincts. All religions address the solution for these emotions. All religion’s answer is be detached. Dont be driven by these feelings, dont act on these feelings, just skip and ignore them.

2) Next, there are external circumstance, which we dont have any control. Death, decease, accidents, loss of wealth, loss in business, loss of income, loss of lives, we may loose our loved ones. There are many external events, which are either harmful to us or beneficial to us. We dont know, why “this” is happened to me or why “this” is not happening to me. Here religions differ in their opinions. Yes opinions. Some say these are test by God to us. God is testing us by giving grievances or pleasure, God is running everything. Some say these are due to our bad or good Karma. What we did in the past lives, that accounts are settled now. Some religion accepts, we dont know why these things happening, but it happens, we have to undergo and experience both good and bad. Expect the unexpected and be flexible. The more we attached, we enjoy/suffer more when good/bad things happen to us. The more we detached, we will be neutral when good/bad things happen to us. But we dont have control over what is happening and dont know why happening. We are completely broke in External events.

Regarding External events, we may believe in any one of the hypothesis by religions as per which hypothesis we like or convincing to us. Your gene has instructions as what you have to believe. Follow it, follow your gene in what to believe. Don’t confront your gene’s instruction by your intelligence. The opportunities given to you by socio-cultural-economic aspects of your time, and how your gene will act or react to the opportunities given, is your decision. So, what you are going to believe is already decided in your gene. How intense you will believe, that is also decided in your gene. Adhere to your gene’s instructions to have moods like “be blessed, peace and tranquility” – brain chemicals responsible for these moods will secrete . Have a belief to be stable with both good and bad of life. If you are not stable, then when good happen to you, you will say it is because of you. When bad happens to you, you will say, it is because of others. There is no unconditional success or unconditional failure. All success are conditional success, all failures are conditional failures.

Mind is like a fertile land. What you sow there, it will grow. If fertile land is not cultivated, then anything will grow in it randomly by chance. Don’t let your mind be a barren or waste land. What belief you seed in your mind, that will grow. Once you start believing the belief, then Belief Magic starts. Mind’s extraordinary skill is belief magic. Belief magic will give you intuition, delusion, interpretation based on your belief to strengthen it further. By the “proof” of your mind’s belief magic , you will realise that your belief is “true”.

If you believe, there is no God, then your mind’s belief magic will make you feel, have valid reasoning that world is functioning without God.

If you believe, God exists, then you will have believe magic effects such as intuition, delusion, reasoning that God is running everything.

Belief magic will make you feel your belief is “logically” correct and proven.

Never argue with a person who has strong belief in a system. If he/she has belief magic experience, then he/she will claim his/her belief is true. They will claim their belief is true and other beliefs are false.

Sow a solid belief in your mind about life from any religion, enjoy the belief magic effects without disturbing others or other believes, be stable in the turbulence of life.

Be aware of Belief magic, Delusional magic, Bipolar magic – they can do wonders as well as blunders in human life.

Religion or religious leaders – have not discoursed anything new. What were prevailing in the human society for thousands of year are retold in a organized way by religions. They were many sayings, philosophies, ideas, opinions, results of experiments in the society. They were scattered here and there. Religious leaders gathered those “sayings” and organized them into a system or establishment called religion.

Shopping mall is new and unique. But shops inside shopping mall are not new, Shops are existing for so many years even before the creation of Shopping mall. Shops were scattered here and there. Shopping mall organized them into a single and dedicated place. Shopping mall is new, but the ingredients of shopping mall – Shops are not new, they are old and represented in a better way by Shopping mall. Like that religion is an independent, unique establishment, but it’s doctrines are age old living practices, morale, experiments of life – existing thousands of years before creation of religion.

3) Next, how the world/universe is created, what will happen after death. Here too, religions differ in their hypothesis slightly. Some say God created this universe and living beings. Some say it is created on its own, say co-incidents. Life evolved, not planned. Some religion says After death nothing, void. Some religions say, our soul will go to heaven or hell decided by our actions while living. Some religions say, we will rebirth and continue experiencing consequences of our Karma and indulge in new Karma.

Thats it. Internal triggering like fear, desire, lust, greedy, jealous, ego are addressed by all the religions in same manner, ignore them. External events – we dont have control, good or bad – experience it, reason – religions have different hypothesis. Why, who created Universe, life? what is after death? – Religions have different hypothesis.

Leave the hypothesis. They are just believes, people fight for their belief, murder for their belief, and die for their belief. Belief is not fact or proven. Leave it. Belief is a Subjective Reality. It works out to somebody, and it does not work out to many. Know the difference between Belief and Truth.

All religions concur in one thing about fear, desire, lust, greedy, jealous, ego, selfish instincts – the self or internal forces. Ignore these feelings and skip them. Never act upon these feelings/thoughts/emotions.

We have to get united over where religions concur. We should not have conflict over where religions differ. Ignore the differences. Embrace the concurrence.