What
Buddhists Believe
Venerable K. Sri Dhammananda Maha Thera
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Do It
Yourself
Self confidence plays an important
part in every aspect of man's life.
Knowing that no external
sources, no faith or rituals can save him, the Buddhist feels the need to
rely on his own efforts. He gains confidence through self-reliance. He
realizes that the whole responsibility of his present life as well as his
future life depends completely on himself alone. Each must seek salvation
for himself. Achieving salvation can be compared to curing a disease: if
one is ill, one must go to a doctor. The doctor diagnose the ailment and
prescribes medicine. The medicine must be taken by the person himself. He
cannot depute someone else to take the medicine for him. No one can be
cured by simply admiring the medicine or just praising the doctor for his
good prescription.
In order to be
cured, he himself must faithfully follow the instructions given by the
doctor with regard to the manner and frequency in taking his medicine, his
daily diet and other relevant medical restraints. Likewise, a person must
follow the precepts, instructions or advice given by the Buddha (who gives
prescriptions for liberation)by controlling or subduing one's greed,
hatred and ignorance. No one can find salvation by simply singing praises
of the Buddha or by making offerings to Him. Neither can one find
salvation by celebrating certain important occasions in honour of the
Buddha. Buddhism is not a religion where people can attain salvation by
mere prayer or begging to be saved. They must strive hard by controlling
their selfish desires and emotions in order to gain salvation.
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Source: Buddhist
Study and Practice Group, http://www.sinc.sunysb.edu/Clubs/buddhism/
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Layout: Chan Duc - Nguyen Thao
Update : 01-11-2002
