isbell@marvin.DEC (Chris Isbell ) (04/13/84)
[] Another quote from Buddhism in a nutshell. [The author gives permission to reprint extracts in the preface to the book.] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Buddhism does not demand blind faith from its adherents. Here mere belief is dethroned and is substituted by confidence based on knowledge, which in Pali [the language spoken by the historic Buddha], is known as Saddha. The confidence placed by a follower on the Buddha is like that of a sick person in a noted physician, or a student in his teacher. A Buddhist seeks refuge in the Buddha because it was he who discovered the Path of Deliverance. A Buddhist does not seek refuge in the Buddha with the hope that he will be saved by His personal purification. The Buddha gives no such guarantee. It is not within the power of a Buddha to wash away the impurities of others. One could neither purify nor defile another. The Buddha, as a Teacher, instructs us, but we ourselves are directly responsible for our purification. Although a Buddhist seeks refuge in the Buddha, he does not make any self-surrender. Nor does a Buddhist sacrifice his freedom of thought by becoming a follower of the Buddha. He can exercise his own free will and develop his knowledge even to the extent of becoming a Buddha himself. The starting point of Buddhism is reasoning or understanding, or, in other words, Samma-ditthi [Right understanding - as per the Noble Eightfold Path mentioned in the last submission]. To the seekers of the truth the Buddha says: "Do not accept anything on (mere) hearsay - (ie. thinking that thus have we heard it from a long time). Do not accept anything by mere tradition - (ie. thinking that it has been handed down through many generations). Do not accept anything on account of mere rumours - (ie. by believing what others say without investigation). Do not accept anything just because it accords with your scriptures. Do not accept anything by mere inference. Do not accept anything by merely considering the reasons. Do not accept anything merely because it agrees with your per-conceived notions. Do not accept anything merely because it seems acceptable - (ie. thinking that as the speaker seems to be a good person his word should be accepted). Do not accept anything thinking that the ascetic [religious teacher] is respected by us (therefore it is right to accept his word). "But when you know for yourselves - these things are immoral, these things are blameworthy, these things are censured by the wise, these things, when performed and undertaken conduce to ruin and sorrow - then indeed [in deed] do you reject them. "When you know for yourselves - these things are moral, these things are blameless, these things are praised by the wise, these things, when performed and undertaken, conduce to well-being and happiness - then you live acting accordingly." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ May all beings be at peace, Chris Isbell. (...decvax!decwrl!rhea!marvin!isbell)