Is Buddhism the only religion the entire world could potentially embrace?

Question

It integrates quite well with a lot of ideological systems.

Answer 1

Probably not, as there's no room, really, for self-righteousness and superiority.

Answer 2

Apparently not, given that such a small minority of the world embraces Buddhism while a large plurality believes in Christianity and almost as many people as that practice Islam. Buddhism, while it is somewhat in vogue now in the West, is often neglected in East Asia where the majority of its members reside. People surveyed in Japan and China, two prominently Mahayanist countries, are more likely to claim that they have no religion than to express faith in their Buddhist upbringing.

Answer 3

I think that their moral system could be great for the world to embrace, and they don't necessarily believe in a higher power, so I think that someone could practice Buddhism as well as another religion.

Answer 4

Probably because it embraces so many elements of all the other religions. (with the exception that it believes in reincarnation and Christianity rejects reincarnation). Buddhism also integrates nicely with psychology because of its emphasis on insight. It is such a wonderful belief system.

Answer 5

No. And unfortunately, most people appear to have answered this question without knowledge of what makes any aspect of the Buddhist tradition uniquely Buddhist. All religions posit ethical behavior, but not all people behave ethically. All religions posit some sort of wisdom, but not all people study. All religions posit some sort of concomitant result of action, but not all people behave with any kind of restraint. All religions posit faith, but not all people seek refuge. So, what makes these aspects of Buddhism uniquely Buddhist? It's motivation. Why wouldn't people want to believe that they don't have to be accountable for their own actions. At first, it would seem to be too nebulus a task to actually apply ourselves to modifying our behavior to be in accord with what has been taught.

Answer 6

Your question reflects on what Albert Einstein had mentioned:

The true value of a human being is determined primarily by the measure and the sense in which he has attained liberation from the self.
--Albert Einstein (03/14/1879-1955)

Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.
--Albert Einstein

A man's ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death.
--Albert Einstein

A human being is part of the whole called by us universe , a part limited in time and space. We experience ourselves, our thoughts and feelings as something separate from the rest. A kind of optical delusion of consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from the prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty... We shall require a substantially new manner of thinking if mankind is to survive.
--Albert Einstein

Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.
--Albert Einstein

"Buddhism has the characteristics of what would be expected in a cosmic religion for the future: it transcends a personal God, avoids dogmas and theology; it covers both the natural & spiritual, and it is based on a religious sense aspiring from the experience of all things, natural and spiritual, as a meaningful unity"
-Albert Einstein: The Human Side," Princeton University Press, (1954)

Will it be the religion of the future/world potentially embrace? Yes and no.

Its core principles and concepts will be accepted by people of the future/world, but it does not mean they will practice what the Buddha had taught since there has to be an equal and you have to understand the very nature of mankind and its defilements. It is not that easy to think that humankind will embrace just Buddhism 'one fine day' but it is safe to say that Buddhist principles had proven itself over time over other religious ideals as being the most intellectual 'religions' which mankind could see and experience for themselves since it is not faith based so on.

Answer 7

Jainism is quite similar to Buddhism in many ways, and I think it could also be widely embraced.

Except for the strict vegetarianism.

Answer 8

It does. But Hinduism has the flexibility to allow all types of religion and atheism as part of it.

Answer 9

would you really want one world religion? maybe i do understand the tower of babel story now.

Answer 10

Maybe you could be happy worshipping some fat guy in a loin cloth, but I don't think I could.