Buddha Said It Best!
By omnithought
@omnithought (199)
United States
March 13, 2007 2:19am CST
I'm not a Buddhist, but this quote by him makes far more sense than anything I've ever heard from any other religion:
"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 because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe 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 anything that agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it."
- Siddhartha Gautama Buddha
If only everyone would take this advice.
5 people like this
16 responses
@sunnypub (2128)
• United States
13 Mar 07
That is a wonderful quote, and oh so true. It is sad that many people don't follow that. Ihate it when I see people swear by the bible without questioning anything in it. I am sorry but anything that is that old and has gone thorugh that many hands is bound to have some discrepencies.
I am not saying that everyone should denounce their religion, but they should realize that everyone has the freedom to choose what they want to believe and if their beliefs are nto the same that doens't mean there is anything wrong with them.
2 people like this
@lissienpaul (478)
• Philippines
13 Mar 07
One of my favorites is:
"Health is the greatest gifet, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship."
And also "Everything in moderation, including moderation."
And, "Things to do today: Exhale, inhale, exhale. Ahhhh."
I have read some of buddhist teachings and as I've said they were kind teachings.
Cheers!
2 people like this
@Ravenladyj (22904)
• United States
13 Mar 07
It is a wonderful quote (as are many of his actually) and I agree it'd be nice if more ppl would pay attention and act on it (quotes like this I mean)...
1 person likes this
@Ravenladyj (22904)
• United States
14 Mar 07
here is another wonderful one that is along the same lines of the OT quote
"“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.”"
- Buddha
@mobyfriend (1017)
• Netherlands
13 Mar 07
It's certainly a good idea to have a critical look now and then in what you believe. What I like is that whatever you believe it must to the good and benefit of one and all.
1 person likes this
@countdown21 (111)
• United States
14 Mar 07
Hi,
Sounds good but the problem is that it leaves of hanging. Great advice or sayings should give us something. What did Buddha say benefits us all or wants us to believe in?
Jesus said, I am the way the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father but by me. Now that's "a quote" to consider.
"If only everyone would take this advice" and receive the free gift of eternal life. You see, sayings should offer something; Jesus Christ said it best.
countdown21.com
@omnithought (199)
• United States
14 Mar 07
Buddha does offer lots of great things. And without any stigma of "Do this or you burn forever". In fact, many of his teachings are nearly identical to Jesus' teachings, and predate them by a couple thousand years. It would be good if you read them, rather than judge Buddha based on one quote.
@lissienpaul (478)
• Philippines
13 Mar 07
My favorites are:
"Everything in moderation, including moderation."
" Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, and faithfulness the best relationship.
"Things to do today: Exhale, inhale, exhale.
"No matter how difficult the pat, you can always begin again today."
All from the little book of buddha.
Cheers!
1 person likes this
@lissienpaul (478)
• Philippines
13 Mar 07
Ooooppps, sorry. Double posts. I havent edited the word "gift". It was "gifet" at first;)
@greengal (4286)
• United States
14 Mar 07
I'm glad you shared this quote with us omni, I have read many of Buddha's teachings and books based on them. They are simple and very practical that's what I like about his teachings. I often question our traditions and certain rituals and all I get is a glare from my grandma or the elders in the family. There were certain things which were followed back in the day due to several reasons. But it doesn't make sense to practice them even today. The time shave changes and million things have reformed since then but we are still expected to adhere to the so-called traditions handed down from generations. Some I understand are there for a purpose but some others are beyond me!
@tin2joseph (65)
• India
13 Mar 07
wow what a nice thought. this was my doubt for many years.should i believe in certain things just because its traditionally like that. thank you so much for clearing my doubt
@bluewings (3857)
•
13 Mar 07
I am not a buddhist either,but I have read his biography. Buddhist preachings sound so similar to science as if he was a man full of questions before he discovered himself.Perhaps that is the reason why he preaches to believe something after experiencing it and to keep searching till you get the answers yourself.Thanks for sharing!:)
@Zalvor (727)
• Turkey
13 Mar 07
All the great sages such as J.Krishnamurti, Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj and famous psychologists such as Carl Jung, have stressed the difference between belief and knowledge. Believing something is really like well wishing, it keeps our hopes up, but its basis is really speculation, so it's likely to fall apart at the first sign of conflict. Knowing is an entirely different matter though. Something you *know* to be true, doesn't change even if the rest of the world chooses not believing in you.
@xyberk (27)
• Philippines
26 Mar 07
I have been reading a lot about Buddhism. I believe they are most humane religion, if you can call it at that. They are not judgemental about other's beliefs and they don't condone violence in their teachings. Hope everybody get to discover Buddhism. It makes, I believe, for a peaceful and happy life.
@xyberk (27)
• Philippines
26 Mar 07
i have been reading a lot about Buddhism. I believe they are most humane religion, if you can call it at that. They are not judgemental about other's beliefs and they don't condone violence in their teaching. Hope everybody get to discover the teachings of Buddhism. It makes, I believe, for a peaceful and happy life.
@Chiang_Mai_boy (3882)
• Thailand
13 Mar 07
This is not a quote from the Buddha but I think it fits here. Sadly I don't know who said it.
"Don't try to use what you learn from Buddhism to be a better Buddhist; us it to be a better whatever you already are."
@myworld_and_you (1223)
• Philippines
13 Mar 07
I find this quote realistic although others do not. If you'll read the quote beyond its literal point, you would come to realize that its only FAITH in GOd where you can say Believe if you don't understand because that's what Faith means in its very deepest sense. What this quote depicts is the Worldly teachings. Don't believe the things you find UNSENSIBLE. Find something with REASON. :)
