Buddhism: A Method of Mind Training
Because there is suffering in your heart... |
Is that all there is in Buddhism? Do the news photographers
take pictures of the real Buddhism? Do the glossy magazines show the
fundamentals or the externals?
Let us see, then, what Buddhism really is, Buddhism as it was
originally expounded and as it still exists underneath the external
trappings and trimmings.
Although generally regarded as a "religion," Buddhism is basically a
method of cultivating the mind.
It is true that, with its long monastic
tradition and its emphasis on ethical factors, it possesses many of the
superficial characteristics that we Westerners associate with religion.
However, it is nontheistic because it affirms that the universe is
governed by impersonal laws rather than any creator-god. It has no use
for prayer, for the Buddha, the Dharma (Teaching), and the Sangha (of enlightened disciples) are teachers, exemplars, not gods. And it regards
devotion not as a religious obligation but as a means of self-development and expressing
gratitude. So it is
not a religion at all from these points of view.
Again, Buddhism knows "faith" only in the sense of confidence, conviction, the temporary setting aside of doubt long enough to test something and be sure, in
the way recommended by the Buddha.
Why "believe"? Come and see for yourself. |
One may, of
course, agree to take the Buddha Dharma, the Doctrine made known by the Enlightened One, as a working
hypothesis and to have confidence in it. But one is not expected to
accept anything unless reason accepts it.
This does not mean that
everything can be demonstrated rationally and empirically, for many points lie beyond
the scope of the intellect and can be cognized only by the development
of higher faculties. The individual can confirm it with certainty, whereas others will still need to follow the path for themselves to confirm it for themselves.
But the fact remains that there is no need for
blind acceptance of anything in the Buddha's doctrine. More
No comments:
Post a Comment