|
Perhaps Buddhism is the only religion that speaks about its own teachings as a raft to cross the river and not as an absolute truth to be worshipped and safeguarded. This is the most drastic measure that Buddhism utilizes to deal with dogmatism and fanaticism, which are the causes of so much conflict and violence...According to Buddhism, knowledge itself can be an obstacle to true understanding, while views are a barrier to insight. Clinging to our views can cause us to lose the opportunity to come to a higher or more profound understanding of reality. Buddhism urges us to transcend our own knowledge in order to advance on the path to enlightenment. All views are considered to be "obstacles to knowledge."...According to Buddhist teaching, if we cannot continually expand the frontiers of our knowledge, we will be imprisoned by our own views and never able to attain the Way.
Thich Nhat Hanh, _Interbeing_
---------------------------------------------------
Do not believe in anything (simply) because you have heard it
Do not believe in tradition because they have been handed down for many generations
Do not believe in anything because it is spoken and rumored by many
Do not believe in anything (simply) because it is found written in your religious books
Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders.
But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it
-Buddha (Anguttara Nikaya, Vol. I, 188-193, P.T.S. Ed) |
|
