Religion can be defined as a system of faith and worship that provides a framework for understanding existence, guiding behavior, and cultivating meaning. Most religions, such as Islam, Judaism, Christianity, and Hinduism, offer teachings on the nature of the divine, the purpose of life, and moral conduct, often asking followers to accept foundational beliefs as truths.

Buddhism, while also relying on ethical conduct and spiritual teachings, differs in that it emphasizes personal inquiry and direct experience over blind belief. Faith is seen not as unquestioning acceptance but as trust in a path of practice and discovery. Instead of focusing on an external creator or deity, Buddhism is oriented toward understanding the nature of the mind, suffering, and perception, encouraging followers to accept only what they have verified through their own insight.

Indigenous and native non-Abrahamic religions, such as the beliefs of many First Nations peoples, Indigenous communities, or the Shinto tradition of Japan, often center on the sacredness of nature, ancestral wisdom, and the interconnectedness of all life. Their practices may include rituals, storytelling, and deep reverence for the land and spirits, focusing on maintaining harmony with both the seen and unseen worlds. By comparing these traditions, we can explore both their unique approaches and shared concerns, xsuch as ethical living, the search for truth, and the quest for liberation, salvation, or harmony.

The study of comparative religions allows us to see how different cultures and spiritual paths address universal human questions and challenges. It highlights the diversity of worldviews while also underscoring the shared aspirations for peace, understanding, and transcendence that many traditions hold. Moreover, engaging in comparative studies can cultivate empathy and broaden our perspective, fostering a sense of global interconnectedness and mutual respect. It can also help us refine our own spiritual practice by recognizing the strengths and insights of other paths, leading to a deeper appreciation of both the richness and the common ground found in religious life.

Religious and traditions offer diverse approaches to universal human questions about meaning, ethics, and transcendence. Buddhism’s emphasis on personal inquiry and direct experience distinguishes it from faith-based religions, while comparative study reveals both the diversity of paths and their common aspirations for peace, understanding, and liberation.

Identify some common and distinct characteristics of major religions and reflect on how their doctrines influence their followers. Engage with practitioners from different traditions through respectful dialogue, attend interfaith events if possible, and reflect on how different frameworks might address the same life challenges you face.

• Is Buddhism a religion?
• Why are some people more religious than others?
• What is the impact of following a religion?
• Considering people that you know, do you think there are differences in ways of thinking between religious and non-religious people?
• How do different traditions balance faith and reason in their approach to truth?
• How do various spiritual paths address the relationship between humans and nature?

Analyze Buddhism’s characteristics compared to Abrahamic, indigenous, and other world religions; evaluate different conceptual frameworks that position Buddhism as philosophy, science of mind, or religion; and synthesize understanding through respectful interfaith dialogue that identifies both unique approaches and shared human concerns across traditions.