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Furthermore, in a globalised world, a minority in one country may oneself. The Buddha even went to the extent of saying that, “Just
be the majority in another country. Sidelining or marginalising a like a goldsmith would test gold under fire, so you should test my
minority religion may lead to retaliation from somewhere else. teaching in the same way.”
In the promotion of religious freedom and democracy, the In the Kālāma Sutta, or the Charter of Free Inquiry, it is
author mentioned that, “without denying that ideas outside religion mentioned that one should not accept a teaching simply because:
can play a valuable and perhaps necessary role in nudging religious Others mention it,
traditions and communities toward a healthy respect for liberty
and toleration, there is also a powerful religious case for religious It is in the legends or traditions,
freedom.” I agree with the statement, especially in reference to It is rumored,
Buddhism.
It is found in the scriptures,
In the case of Buddhism, the fundamental belief is founded It is in accord with your logical analysis,
on the premise that man is the most important being on earth as he
has the ability to determine his own destiny and achieve liberation It is in accord with your reasoning,
by himself. The late Ven. Yin Shun of Taiwan mentioned that It appears to be true, it is possible
Buddhism is humanistic in nature.
It agrees with your preconceived notion,
The Buddha also taught that man is empowered with three Or the thought that this is the teaching of our teacher,
superiorities, namely, powerful memory, courageous will, and the Or it is from so and so who is an authority.
ability to live a moral and religious way of life. Man has dignity,
and this makes him act responsibly to himself, his fellow sentient Only when you know it for yourself, ‘These qualities are
beings, and the environment. unskillful; these qualities are blameworthy; these qualities are
criticised by the wise; these qualities, when adopted & carried out,
In Dhammapada, verse 1, it is mentioned that the mind is the lead to harm & to suffering’ — then you should abandon them.”
forerunner of all things. It is man’s mind that determines his destiny
and achievement (In Pāli, mind is manu. A human being is thus The key word here is “Only when you know it for yourself”,
called a “manussa”, meaning a being with a mind).
meaning “sanditthiko, akāliko” – experienced and realised by
yourself.
Of the six virtues of the Dharma, one of them is ehi-pasiko,
meaning to “come and see”, or to investigate the truth. There is The above brief description provides ample evidence to show
no demand for blind faith but only the liberty to see the truth for
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