Other words that you can live by.
@Chiang_Mai_boy (3882)
Thailand
May 28, 2009 2:58am CST
Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. Do not believe anything because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything because it is 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 the benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.
Siddhartha Gautama the Tathagata
With these words the Tathagata challenged his students to think for them selves. Why don't these same principles appear in any other of the worlds great religions?
2 people like this
6 responses
@nzalheart (2338)
• India
4 Jun 09
Hmm, That was the things taught by Buddha to the Kalams who were doubting the truth as the Brahmins used to tell them that they are totally right and follow them. These Kalams went to the Buddha and in confusion asked Buddha, who is right and who is wrong. To which Buddha told the above statement....
I have been focusing more on the same point when it comes to religion. That's why always say knowing our existence from ourselves is necessary...
Nice job to post it our there so that the people able to grab this thing can grab it. However it is not compulsory that everyone believe it...
And I wonder you post some other nice things like this too...
Thanks for posting...
@freethinkingagent (2501)
•
31 May 09
I believe they do exist, only these kinds of verse are not popular with christian clergy as it also would mean not to take their words for dogma.
@Ravenladyj (22902)
• United States
28 May 09
simple, Buddha knew that thinking for oneself is better than not thinking at all and just following the crowd...Majority of other religions/spiritual paths DON'T WANT the ppl to think for themselves..they want the ppl to conform in order for the church and gov/authorities etc to remain in control....
@Adoniah (7513)
• United States
28 May 09
Very Good words Chiang. I searched my soul for many many years before I became what I am today. I am very comfortable with where I am today. I do follow an ancient religion...sort of. There are many parts that I know are parables and never meant to be literal and so I just enjoy the stories. I never influence another, because I believe each person should reach the point I have reached from within and then must continue to grow for life. If they do not, they have in fact failed at life.
Shalom~Adoniah
