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 one and all, then accept it and live up to it.
This is fearlessness, and it is love
2007-07-16 05:08:33 · 29 answers · asked by ANyone but you 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Hearsay, popularity, authority, age, tradition...
Can't we all name examples of these that can lead anyone astray? We must question everything that is presented to us to determine its value.
When questioning ceases, we are on the wrong path.
2007-07-16 05:17:20 · answer #1 · answered by Skye 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That is pretty much my basis for believing anything. But that doesn't mean that you should disbelieve something just because it is tradition, or written down, or known by many. Heck, if that were true, then there would be no knowledge of any kind. It would also make this quote self-defeating.
What Buddha was/is advocating is critical analysis of faith, as opposed to blind faith, which I fully support. What I feel the OP and first responder (I started writing this when there were only two responses) are advocating is that people should convert to Buddhism just because Gautama made this wise saying, which I do not necessarily support.
Find what fits best with what you believe to be truth (like Buddha is saying), don't just listen to what other people are telling you.
2007-07-16 05:19:05 · answer #2 · answered by nbrs6121 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is a very astute statement and it may suprise you to know that it would be considered very Biblical in what he is saying.
For example:
Acts 17:11
Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
Colossians 2:8
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
Of course all of the statements including the one you have from Buddha imply a seeking out of FACTS to reach the TRUTH no matter what your preconceved notions, ideas, or feelings are.
2007-07-16 05:18:18 · answer #3 · answered by Michael B 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
That his wisdom gave rise to such encouragement towards freedom, and self responsibility, is the very reason I found myself engaged with Buddhism.
It is the hardest path sometimes, because it is all on you -the individual. You have to suss out everything. But it is also the diamond path, isn't it -or can be - and when one becomes truly fearless, love is inevitable. I believe that is our true nature.
2007-07-16 05:16:50 · answer #4 · answered by cosmicshaktifire? 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
to assert that Buddah would not exist is one factor. Nirvana skill blowing out in spite of everything and there is likewise the assumption in Zen buddhism of tada -- or in basic terms. to assert Sidhardtha Gautama, the Prince who renounced the international to boost into Enlightened did no longer exist is something else back. I shall frankly in basic terms say approximately him what i say approximately those arguments of Jesus -- years later in Jesus's time books have been the valuables of the very rich. each website meant you had to kill a lamb and prepare its epidermis or you had to import papyrus reeds from Egypt. years later it have been given worse. And yet there are 4 almost modern-day biographies of Him we call the Gospels. There are extra suitable than 4 of the Buddah. That they contradict one yet another is irrelevent. Books have been extra high priced then than they have been in Jesus's time, and info as we comprehend them right this moment became available whilst recordkeeping replaced into obtainable to maximum individuals in the time of the introduction of printing. The biographies coach that Prince Siddhartha replaced into needed to 3 needed human beings presently after he lived. this would desire to be sufficient evidence that he existed, because of the fact the Gospels, in the main mundane or prosaic sense, would desire to be evidence of Jesus's existence.
2016-10-21 11:45:06 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Beautiful. I have always tried my best to follow the teachings of Buddah. An absolutely wise man.
2007-07-17 18:04:33 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is a superb example of the teachings from the Buddha
2007-07-16 05:14:50 · answer #7 · answered by Don W 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I agree. I find that I agree with many Buddhist quotes, but I'm not Buddhist.
2007-07-16 05:14:53 · answer #8 · answered by Cathy 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
i think it is wrong...kinda...because God isnt with in reason...he is all powerful and no one can explain him they can try but it wont work...so i have to have faith by believeing not just analysing and observation...i have to take a step out into the unknown...and believe in what i see in my 'religious books' or the bible...thats what i think of that quote
but i kinda like the quote itself...
*Olivia*
2007-07-16 05:17:44 · answer #9 · answered by luvlygurl4god13 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
That's the best advice in history.
I always said that guy rocked.
Woot Buddha!!
Blessed Be!
2007-07-16 05:15:12 · answer #10 · answered by ♥Gnostic♥ 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋