[net.religion] Buddhist teaching

isbell@marvin.DEC (Chris Isbell ) (04/13/84)

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Another quote from Buddhism in a nutshell. [The author gives permission 
to reprint extracts in the preface to the book.]

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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."
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		May all beings be at peace,

			Chris Isbell.
		(...decvax!decwrl!rhea!marvin!isbell)