The word religion comes from the Latin term 'religio' meaning a type of bond. It suggests a precious connection with the divine Lord. One must reflect on the true aim, goal, and purpose of religion to gain a better understanding of it. 'Religion is not just some dry intellectual idea but rather your basic philosophy of life: you hear a teaching that makes sense to you, find through experience that it relates positively with your psychological makeup, get a real taste of it through practice, and adopt it as your spiritual path.'
             We sometimes regard religion as believing in God or gods and therefore identify it with the theistic attitude of various religious forms or covenant. Buddhism is often viewed by other religions as an atheistic form or in some cases, not even a religion. It is seen more as a philosophy or psychology. 'Buddhism is in fact a family of religions and philosophies, but which of its parts is 'right' or 'original' is opinion added to objective fact.' Buddhism is based on the experience of suffering, an existential experience that is common to all humanity, rather than on a metaphysical or doctrinal position like theistic religions. A general doctrine that Buddhists agree in is: 'We do not believe that this world is created and ruled by a God.' This disbelief in a God does not mean that Buddhism is atheistic. Buddhists believe that through contemplation, understanding, and reflection on various human experiences, we can eliminate all mental deceptions that create suffering. The words 'liberation' and 'salvation' hold great importance to all religions. These words grant freedom from delusion and a complete understanding of the ultimate reality. Buddhists call this 'enlightenment'.
             Buddhism is not a religion in 'the sense in which that word is commonly understood, for it is not "a system of faith and worship owing any allegiance to a supernatural being" or "the outward act or form by which men indicate the...