Lesson 3

What
Buddhism Is
What Buddhism Is
Don’t you feel confused….
…by a self-proclaimed ‘divine
messenger’ who urges you to
embrace his creed.
…by a faith healer who claims
that his way is the only way to
salvation.
…by a religious group who warns
you against the Devil and asking
you to accept the authority of his
scriptures.
How can we tell who and to what extent
each is right?
Free Inquiry
Kalama Sutta - ‘Charter of
Free Inquiry’ reflects the
Buddhist spirit of thought
and investigation.
“Yes, Kalamas, it is proper that you have
doubt, that you have perplexity, for a doubt
has arisen in a matter which is doubtful.
Now, do not be led by reports, or tradition, or
hearsay. Be not led by the authority of
religious texts, nor by mere logic or
inference, nor by considering appearances,
nor by the delight in speculative opinions,
nor by seeming possibilities, nor by the idea:
‘this is our teacher’.”
What can we learn from this advice?

Some religious groups use slogans repeatedly until a

person succumbs to those suggestions.

OK, OK!!
Do not blindly believe a tradition or
Now
leave me
the sacred scriptures.
alone

The Buddha warned us against logic

and opinions. The highest truth is
beyond the ability of an untrained
human mind to reason out logically
and understand.

Man is a hive of opinions. Unless he is open, he is a

prisoner of his opinions.
How then do we know what to accept
or to reject?

The Buddha advised the Kalamas:

“But, Kalamas, when you yourself
know what is bad, blameworthy and
censured by the wise, abandon
these things. When you yourself
know these things are good, not
blameworthy, but praised by the
wise, accept and practise them.”
Before doing something, ask ourselves: Is this a
wholesome thing? When performed, does it bring
happiness to ourselves as well as others in both the
short run and long run?
How then do we know what to accept
or to reject?
The Buddha was open-minded about
other religions. He advised us: “If you
find truth in any religion, accept the
truth.”

The freedom of thought encouraged in

Buddhism is unique in the history of
religions.
The Practical Approach
Buddhism and science both advocate free
enquiry and freedom from authoritarian
dogma.
The Buddha discouraged the vain search
after speculative issues which do not lead to
the release of suffering.
All irrelevant issues are completely cast
aside.
Experience the Dhamma
The fruits of the Dhamma
can be experienced here

I am now in Nibbana
and now.
Anyone who practices
the Path can attain
happiness and peace.

Nibbana is not reserved

for Buddhists.

It is open to everyone so
long as he walks the
right Path.
Buddhism is beyond science
Buddhism goes beyond science in its acceptance
of truth.
Buddhism accepts knowledge that comes
through personal experiences and through
mental culture.

Buddhism alone says that the riddle of existence

can be solved.

Science is not concerned with the moral

consequences: Buddhism is!!
Buddhism is beyond science

Bertrand Russel, the great

philosopher, said of
Buddhism:
“It takes up where science
cannot lead because of the
1872-1970 limitations of the latter’s
Noble Prize for
Literature in 1950 physical-instruments. Its
conquests are those of the
mind.”
Self Reliance
Do you realise that you make your destiny?
The Buddha said that all our griefs,
sorrows and anxieties spring from the
imperfections of heart and mind.
Since man is responsible for his own
sorrow, it is within his power to put an
end to it.
The Buddha explained:
Good deeds yield good
fruits while evil deeds yield bad
fruits.

The Buddha showed us the Path –

we work our way towards the release
Self Reliance
It is left to us to follow it to obtain purification.
Effort is needed to eradicate the evil roots of
hatred, anger and delusion that defile the
mind.

Delusion
Anger
Hatred
 Self Reliance
“By oneself is one defiled,
By oneself is one purified.”
“You yourself should walk the path
The Buddha merely shows the way.”
 Confidence
No blind faith necessary to understand the
Dhamma. The truths of the Dhamma can be
tested and verified by personal experience

Voltaire said “Faith is to believe in

something which your reasons tell you
cannot be true; for if your reason approved
of it, there is no question of blind faith.”

Confidence is the product of reason,

knowledge and experience. When it is
Voltaire
developed, confidence can never be
blind.
Confidence
To the Buddhist, the
Buddha is the greatest
instructor of all time.
In the Dhamma, there
is nothing that is
impractical or
irrational. The Buddha
practised what he
taught; and he taught
what he practised.
 Come and See
The Buddha always said “ehi-
passiko”, inviting you to “come
and see” but not to come and
believe.
“Accept my words only when you have examined
them for yourselves; do not accept them simply
because of the reverence you have for me. Those
who only have faith in me and affection for me
will not find the final freedom. But those who
have faith in the truth and are determined on the
path, they will find awakening.”

-Majjhima Nikaya
Practise the Dhamma
Study Practise Realise

The learned man who does

not practise the Dhamma,
is like a colourful flower
without scent.

The Buddha said “He who sees the Dhamma,

sees him.”
Practise the Dhamma
Buddhism contains an excellent moral
code for monks and laity.
Practising morality is the
first stage on the Path to
Purity.
Beyond morality is wisdom.
Wisdom is paramount; for purification
arises from wisdom and insight. The
Buddha never praised mere intellect.
Practise the Dhamma
A genuine Buddhist, must
practise loving-kindness
and compassion towards
every living being.
Compassion embraces all
sorrowful beings.

Wisdom gained by development of the

qualities of the mind and heart is
wisdom par excellence.
The gift of Dhamma excels all gifts
the taste of Dhamma excels all taste,
the delight in dhamma excels all delights,
The Craving-Freed vanquishes all suffering.
- Dhammapada verse 354

End of Lesson 3