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On the This-Worldly Emphasis of Humanistic Buddhism
As an aspect of social life, religion has the adaptive function of helping humans overcome psychological and daily obstacles, attaining inner stability and peace of mind; the integrative function of consolidating group cohesion through common beliefs, bringing out the organizational power of human communities; and the cognitive function of solving the enigma of ultimate meaning, answering fundamental questions on life, the universe, existence, and morality for humans. These three functions of religion imply its capacity to meet the three essential needs of survival, community integration, and addressing the ultimate concern in life, hence its importance cannot be understated.
人間佛教的現世關懷
基督新教經由喀爾文的預選說在教義上的改革，轉變為俗世內制欲的宗教，對信徒而言，救贖是上帝的恩寵，但會顯現在現世生活的規律性，以及有系統地克己並累積財富。於是，現世宰制的倫理態度，成就了系統性的現世合理化，讓基督新教成為近代現代化發展的推手。相形之下，佛教在關於救贖的不同層面，表現出來都與基督新教處於對立的立場。相較於基督新教是以神為中心、倫理的、現世的、制欲主義、特殊主義的，佛教則是宇宙中心、巫術的、出世的、神祕主義、普遍主義。而佛教的這些特性無法開展出現代資本主義，佛教遁世、消極的生活態度，被認為是東方世界經濟落後的主要因素。
