" Do not be led by rumor, or tradition, or by the authority of religious text, nor by false arguements, nor by appearances, nor by theories, nor even by reverence. But rather when you know through your own experience that certain things are wrong and unwholesome, do not lead to calm and happiness and are not beneficial, then give them up."
"When you know for yourselves that certain things are right and wholesome, lead to calm and happiness and are beneficial, then follow them" - Buddha
Caught this phrase from the "passport" at Vesak@ Orchard celebration :) I have came across this phrase quite sometime ago and really throw me off my seat! Buddha being the head of a religion telling people not to believe what he says unless we experience it ourselves :S
It means no mistake as Buddha was never and have never asked anyone to throne him the head of a religion or his teachings as religion but it is what we have labeled his teaching for. In numerous instances in his Sutras and discourse, he also bewared us the falseness of labeling.
I still remember vaguely in one of the Sutras where upon Ven Ananda mentioned that Buddha's teaching was formost superior than others, Buddha questioned Ven. Ananda has he heard the teachings of all the gurus in the world....
How nice I feel it is through numerous studies and experiences, should we accept what is to be taught :) Even if a fact is indeed a fact, without experience, it is of no relevance to our life. Maybe I can bodly says, the most reliable religion is a religion that holds true in all condition, universally, stands against time, and we know for ourselves that it is right, wholesome, lead to calm and happiness and are beneficial.
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