Bathing Buddhism … ( 06 / 28 / 2014 )
Bathing Buddhism … ( 06 / 28 / 2014 )
There is a quote , commonly attribute to Buddha , that is still popular in " New Age " circles , and it goes something like this : " Believe nothing , no matter where you read it , or who said it -- even if I have said it , unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense " … Now on its face this admonition seems harmless enough , and yet when put into practice , it provides a ready excuse for its adherents to fall into patterns of selfishness & superficiality ; in fact it provides a ready rationalization for any deed we might engage or belief we might purport that puts ourselves above others .
Of course , for those who have studied earlier Buddhist texts -- and for those who have embodied the humility of the deepest Buddhist teachings , this quote is known to be filled with untruth -- as misleading as it is comfortable … So it might comes as little surprise to rediscover that Buddha in all likelihood never said such a thing at all -- that his more authentic words actually ring quite differently ; shining Compassion over callousness , and radiating service over self-focus .
As such , feel free to consider the following , more accurate exultation … … and then feel free to act accordingly :
" Do not believe in anything 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 ALL , then accept it and live up to it ." ~ Buddha
Amen ... Let it be so .
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