Mục lục
• CONTENTS OF ESSAYS FOR ENTRANCE EXAM INTO THE ITBMU
• PART I: THE BUDDHA
• PART II: TIRATANA AND SĪLA
• PART III: SAMĀDHI
• PART IV: PAÑÑĀ
• PART V: HISTORY OF BUDDHIST LITERATURE AND MYANAMAR
• PART VI: RELIGION AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS
• PART VII: LETTERS AND MICELLANEOUS

PART VI: RELIGION AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS

(368 words)

The Buddha is the Peerless One in the three realms. The Buddha is in the possession of the Full Enlightenment (Saṃmā Sambuddha) and Knowing All (Sabbanuta Ñāṇa). The Buddha also possesses nine attributes.

The God is the Creator, but the Buddha is an Enlightened One. In many religions except Buddhism, the ultimate head of the religion is always the God with supernatural powers. This God is almighty, who knows the past and the future, and control all beings in the universe. This God is worshipped by mankind. Only those who believe in this God can be saved and attain eternal happiness. The God is the Lord of every man. However, in Buddhism, there is no Creator or Almighty God who can guide one's own fate or make judgments on one's behaviours. Every man in the universe is his own lord, one is the master of one's own destiny, and one is the captain of one's life.

The Buddha taught that a person's luck or misfortune, success or failure is determined by that person's deeds - good or bad, and his efforts, not by praying to any God. The Buddha can show him the way, but he has to do the work himself. The Buddha was a man who attains Nibbānna in this life so every man can become a Buddha in future if he practices the Middle Way in his life rationally.

The God is almighty who can punish or reward all beings in the universe; he can lay down a set of dogmas authoritatively. The religions such as Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, etc… base their teachings on the idea of God. However, the Buddha never demands blind faith from his adherents, because Buddhism is a religion of free thoughts. Therefore, the Buddha said thus: "Ehi passiko", meaning, "come and see for yourself", that is you are invited to study and analyse Buddhism through your rationality. The Buddha, therefore, said in the Kālama Sutta: "Don't believe mere hearsays, traditions, rumours, the written testimony of some ancient sages and old customs, only through your investigation, you can accept or discard it."

Topic 45: Buddhism and Modern World

(375 words)

Buddhism is strong enough to face any modern views which pose a challenge to religion. Buddhist ideas have greatly contributed to the enrichment of both ancient and modern thought. Its teaching of causation and relativism, its doctrine of sense data, its pragmatism, its emphasis on the moral, its non-acceptance of a permanent soul, its unconcern about external supernatural forces, its denial of unnecessary rites and religious rituals, its appeal to reasoning and experience and its compatibility with modern scientific discoveries all tend to establish its superior claim to modernity.

Buddhism is able to meet all the requirements of a rational religion that suit the needs of the future world. It is so scientific, so rational, so progressive that it will be a pride for a man in the modern world to call himself a Buddhist. In fact, Buddhism is more scientific in approach than science; it is more socialistic than socialism.

Among all the great founders of religions, it was the Buddha alone who encouraged the spirit of investigation among His followers and who advised them not to accept even His teaching with blind faith. Therefore, it is no exaggeration to say that Buddhism can be called a modern religion.

Buddhism is a well-elaborated scheme of how to lead a practical life and a carefully throughout system of self-culture. But more than that, it is a scientific method of education. This religion is best able in any crisis to restore our peace of mind and to help us to face calmly whatever changes the future may have in store.

Without sensual pleasure, would life be endurable? Without belief in immortality, can man be moral? Without resorting to divinity, can man advance towards righteousness? Yes, that is the answer given by Buddhism. These goals can be attained by knowledge and by the purification of the mind. Knowledge is the key to the higher path. Purification is that which brings calmness and peace to life and renders man indifferent to and detached from the variety of the phenomenal world.

Buddhism is truly a religion suited to the modern and scientific world. The light that comes from nature, from science, from history, from human experience, from every point of the universe, is radiant with the Noble Teachings of the Buddha.

Topic 46: Religion in Our Century

(Do You Think That Religion Can Help Our World in the 21^st Century?)

(277 words)

In my opinion, there are three kinds of organization that may help our world if they are sincere and really of a willing to help us without expectation of popular name or fame in their activity, i.e. religious, scientific, and political.

 In the whole history of religion in both west and east, religious origins had greatly helped our humanity since they started. They tried to civilize human thoughts and behaviours. They change the negative habits of human beings, from rudeness to politeness.

However, the fanatics, extremists and terrorists based on their religious dogmas make the world terrible and unsafe. They are so ignorant to disturb the innocent world and even to disturb their own religions by showing their ignorant behaviours. Such religious organizations are not helpful to themselves but also become a big burden for all of us. However I believe that our world would become worse than now without religious instructions. General speaking, religious teachings from any religion are quite helpful to the whole humanity.

Another one is scientific organization that also helps our humanity a lot. They try to change our humanity better and more comfortable in terms of material, but it is a pity because they are no emotional and spiritual values. Therefore, in my opinion if science goes together with Buddhism, modern world will be much more beautiful than now because Buddhism is not really religious but more philosophical and scientific.

Another one is political organization that can also help the world humanity but pretend to help. In conclusion, religious, scientific and political organizations should closely work together to help the people of century to mark them equally happier, better and more comfortable.

Topic 47: The Importance of Religious Education

in the Modern Scientific World

(352 words)

In the modern scientific world, science and technology become increasingly developed, so there is a rapid materialistic development. People become more unbalanced in all fields, especially they lost the spiritual life. Therefore, young people try hard to fulfil their needs both physical and mental such as health, wealth, fame, social position and popularity. Sometimes, they fight each other for their ambition but they cannot fulfil their wish. The more they look for, the more they are hopeless. They are overwhelmed with lobha, dosa and moha than ever before. Their mind is so full of worry, grief, despair, and pain when they cannot get what they like and expect. They become ready to commit any crime for their own benefits. So they often commit social laws and harm themselves. Some kill other beings. Some steal others' properties. Some commit sensual misconduct, some tell lies and some become indulgent in intoxicants or drugs and many commit many rules laid down by society.

With regard to this aspect, religious education can be considered as a proper guide. Every religion is nothing but help people refrain from all evils, to do what is good and to purify the mind. Especially Buddhism, it is not a system of faith and worship. It is a practical way of life through Eightfold Path. If we understand and practise it, we are able to understand the value of life and able to attain our spiritual life; we are certainly content with what we have and ready to share them to others. So we are free from mental sufferings and finally we can sooner or later attain Nibbāna.

A good religious education is able to transform men both knowledge and his manifestation. The Buddha says: A beautiful thought or word not corresponding with actions is like a beautiful flower but has not scent and no fruits.

In conclusion, religious education is indeed a necessary way. It teaches men how to live righteously and sympathetic to each other. It helps our mind to calm down and not to wander here and there. Thanks to practice, religious education we can live in harmony, peace and happiness.

Topic 48: Science and Humanity