simply because you have heard it.
Do not believe in anything
simply 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.
Do not believe in traditions
because they have been handed down for many generations.
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."
- Gotama Buddha
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"Buddha" is not the name of a person, or God. It is a word used as a reference to any "enlightened" person. We can all become enlightened, therefore anyone can become a Buddha with awareness, equanimity, compassion and understanding. However Buddha did say that only you can walk your own path to enlightenment, and that it is very hard work. He taught that he could only show the way- What more could we really expect? Many people have misunderstood Gotama's teachings and have followed in blind belief, hoping this could save their fortune. Turning the texts into a religion, they have twisted his words, that were meant to help all, not just a particular religion, or race, or caste. When you understand properly, you see that Buddha was clearly and strictly non-sectarian, and wanted to share his light with all people, universally, regardless of religion or any other dividing factor. He did not want to be worshipped, he did not ask for this. He did not claim to be God. He only asked that we observe ourselves, our thoughts, the law of nature, that we begin to live free of aversion and craving, so that we can all live in happiness, and peace, free from all suffering & misery. |
