Philosophy, Religion and Heritage: A Buddhist Overview

Abstract

Heritage as per Merriam Webster is the traditions, achievements, beliefs, etc., that are part of the history of a group or nation. Another dictionary tells us that Heritage is something that is passed down from preceding generations; a tradition. Actually Heritage is what we possess and what we are. Buddhism is heritage and the Buddha said “Appa dipo bhava” – “Be your own refuge”. In my opinion if we understand heritage, we unfold the door of salvation and this is the philosophy of the religious heritage. Some words need to be redefined but there are some other words which do not need to be redefined, rather they need clarification and reinterpretation in the new language of new era but ultimately what they mean remain the same and will never change since they carry THE HERITAGE. Religion is linked with heritage in such a way that the moment a religion develops and prosper, the heritage started to exist. This is simply in order to sustain the content of that religion is so precious that it cannot be afforded to get lost by time and space. History tells us about the lost of civilizations just due to the avoidance of its heritage. It is the heritage that reminds us who we are and what should become. Heritage is the guiding force of civilization. The Buddha told on several occasion that he is not delivering anything new that is not given or discovered yet. He is just passing on a forgotten heritage to the present generation who is unaware of its values. Philosophically, the heritage tourism is the expansion of the journey inwards to the outward word. The heritage tourism actually provides us the atmosphere and vibration of our heritage and helps us to regain in order to start the inward journey.