As we all know, monotheism is the belief in one god. Based on teachings given by Monotheism is the belief in one god, and it has led to the establishment of moral standards by monotheists based on their god's teachings. This laid the foundation for humanism, which promotes the virtues of doing good deeds, benefiting both society and individuals. When people say "that's the bottom line," they mean that they consider the impact of their actions on others. However, materialism may sometimes lead people to violate moral standards for personal gain. Although there are kind-hearted materialists, their worldview is fundamentally flawed, and they may not prioritize unconditional love and sacrifice for moral values. While people may be inspired by spiritual enthusiasm to perform honorable deeds, the materialistic view of maximizing pleasure and happiness in this life may still influence their actions in the end.
Monotheists or those who believe in a higher, objective spirit often have a stronger moral code than materialists. They are motivated to avoid bad deeds that may lead to punishment in the afterlife. For instance, in Christianity, abortion is prohibited, and most Christians adhere to this teaching. As a result, the rate of abortions is lower among Christians. Materialists, on the other hand, may not have the same moral concern for fetuses and may view abortion as acceptable. This highlights the potential benefits of monotheism in promoting ethical behavior.
Although monotheism has its benefits, it also has its shortcomings. One major issue is that its teachings can be easily manipulated, leading to its misuse for nefarious purposes. We have seen this happen frequently throughout history, such as during the Christian Crusades or in some instances in the Islamic world. The worldview of monotheism is incomplete, nontransparent, and unclear, which makes its teachings vulnerable to being distorted by those with ulterior motives, ultimately turning it into a cult.
Additionally, the introspective examination in monotheism is not as profound as that in Buddhism, thus it is unable to guide individuals towards discovering ultimate happiness within the nature of their own minds. This is regrettable.
Although monotheism has its limitations, it still surpasses materialism in certain aspects. In practical terms, we often find that religious communities such as Christianity tend to be more tolerant than materialists who lack any spiritual beliefs. Monotheistic believers generally exhibit more concern for their fellow believers.
While conflicts do exist within Buddhist communities, it remains true that Buddhists are less likely to engage in acts of killing or theft, owing to their belief in the law of causality. According to this principle, every action has a corresponding consequence. Unlike monotheistic belief systems, the Buddhist concept of the law of causality is a more comprehensive one.
Religions often impose restrictions on behavior by saying, "You can't do whatever you want because God is watching over you." While this does create some guidelines for moral behavior, it cannot compare to the profound pleasure that arises from searching for the nature of mind in Buddhism. Through the practice of "watching mind," Buddhist practitioners can reach a state of calm abiding and experience incredible pleasure that is indescribable in human language. This is not just a theoretical concept, as some of my fellow Dharma practitioners at our meditation center in China have personally experienced it. Their pleasure was so intense that they didn't want to stop meditating. They even felt pleasure in their hairs and fingernails, where there are no nerves. They described it as feeling of everything smiling at them, and a pure pleasure pervading everywhere. It's truly a delightful feeling.
When the mind is at rest, one realizes that all phenomena are not inherently real. This is not merely an illusion but rather a profound truth that transcends language. The resulting sense of happiness is indescribable and cannot be compared to the pleasure one may experience from simply adhering to a set of moral principles based on the belief in a single deity.
Through observing the mind, one can achieve a great feat if they attain the first level of Bodhisattva, which is known as the most joyful ground. The land of pure happiness is not a physical place in the universe, but rather a state of mind that is achieved when the mind is at its purest and able to rest in that state. This state of pure happiness is the very essence of the term, and it is not a dualistic concept. We can understand this state of pure happiness as an enduring sense of great happiness that cannot be destroyed.
The happiness that we typically experience in life is often fragile and conditional. For example, falling in love can make us happy, but the end of the relationship can just as easily shatter that happiness. Similarly, the pleasure we derive from food disappears when our stomach stops functioning properly, and the happiness that comes with good health is impermanent due to the aging process. However, the happiness that one experiences upon reaching the first ground of Bodhisattva is indestructible and attainable. This is not a mere imagination, but a reality that anyone who is committed to the practice can experience. Even as our physical bodies decay and eventually disappear, the mind will remain in that state because it is not composed of matter. While different lineages of Buddhism may have varying teachings, they all focus on understanding the nature of the mind and how to realize it.
While it is true that objective materialism can have positive effects on our lives and society, it cannot provide the same kind of happiness that is experienced through the pursuit of the nature of the mind and ultimate liberation.
The Buddhist worldview is complex, encompassing various stages of the path towards the ultimate goal of liberation. These include the Theravada, Cittamatra (the Mind Only), Makhyamaka (the Middle Way), DzogChen the Great Prefection, and more. Each stage is suited to different individuals and their unique circumstances. The Buddha taught these various worldviews to meet people where they were at and provide a starting point for their spiritual journey towards the ultimate worldview. Ultimately, the Buddha's goal was to share the fundamental worldview of liberation with those who were ready and able to accept it. The temporary worldviews he taught served as stepping stones on this path.
The Buddhist worldview is conveyed through various theories, known as teachings, which are supported by a set of practices, known as the means of achieving the teachings. These two elements form the core of the Buddhist system. The teachings themselves are vast in terms of quantity, depth, and breadth. They have been transmitted and preserved in three primary languages: Pali in Theravada, Chinese in the Mahayana lineage, and Tibetan in both the Sutrayana and Tantrayana.
It is not accurate to classify Buddhist teachings and their methods of attainment as merely a branch of philosophy. While Western philosophy examines the world through the lens of the six senses, Buddhism focuses on meditative introspection. This introspection can lead to a profound transformation of the mind. According to Buddhist teachings, once discursive thoughts cease, the mind enters a state beyond the reach of language and the ordinary mind dissolves. The depth and breadth of this state surpasses what any other philosophical school can offer. Therefore, Buddhism should not be considered a form of philosophy.
Buddhism does not belong to science either. Science is a study of a specifically Buddhism and science have some similarities when it comes to the importance of seeking truth. However, they have different approaches to studying phenomena. Science focuses on specific categories of material or mental phenomena, while Buddhism analyzes everything to understand the nature of all things. This makes Buddhism the basis of all disciplines.
In Buddhism, blindly believing something without understanding it is considered foolish. Instead, it's important to critically examine beliefs and ensure logical consistency before accepting them. By following the discipline of Buddhism, individuals can gain personal insight and understanding of the teachings. This approach emphasizes personal experience and critical thinking, which can be helpful in our daily lives.
Belief and faith play a crucial role in the pursuit of truth. However, once the truth is discovered, belief is no longer necessary. For instance, if someone tells me there is water in a cup and I trust them, I will believe there is water in the cup. Once I pick up the cup and drink from it, I no longer need to believe because I have directly experienced the truth. In this sense, belief and experience are similar in the pursuit of truth.
Belief can help guide us in seeking the truth, but it's important to validate our beliefs through direct experience and critical thinking. Only then can we confirm the truth for ourselves and move beyond the need for belief.
Buddhism cannot be classified as a religion since it does not involve the establishment of an organization or the worship of a deity. In religion, followers are often expected to believe in a specific doctrine or deity and be saved by following certain practices, whether they understand them or not.
In contrast, Buddhism emphasizes personal experience and critical thinking as a means of gaining insight and understanding of the teachings. The goal of Buddhism is to achieve liberation from suffering through the cultivation of wisdom and compassion, rather than the worship of a deity or adherence to a particular doctrine. Therefore, Buddhism is not considered a religion in the traditional sense.
In Buddhism, some followers may not have a consistent practice of studying Buddhist theories, and may require initial guidance to begin their spiritual journey. Once they have established a foundation, they can gradually delve into the theoretical aspects of Buddhism. However, before this, faith can serve as an important support for their spiritual path.
Faith in Buddhism refers to the willingness to believe in something, even if one does not fully understand it. This may stem from various reasons, such as a connection to a particular teacher or teaching, or a personal experience that resonates with the teachings. While faith can provide a helpful starting point, Buddhism encourages followers to cultivate a deeper understanding of the teachings through critical thinking and personal experience. This way, one can develop a genuine understanding and experience of the teachings, rather than simply relying on blind faith.
Biographies of "living Buddhas" and "venerable" individuals often contain fantastical stories resembling fairytales. For example, some claim that a "living Buddha" can bring a dead mouse back to life by touching it or foretell the future with a single glance. However, these stories lack any evidence to support them.
Despite the lack of evidence, some individuals still choose to believe these tales due to their personal desires or biases. For instance, some may have faith in a guru based solely on their physical appearance or charming words. This kind of blind belief is problematic and can lead to disappointment or even harm.
It's important to critically evaluate any spiritual teacher or teaching before deciding to follow them. Blindly following someone based on superficial qualities is not a wise decision. Instead, we should seek out teachers who have a solid foundation of knowledge and practice, and whose teachings resonate with our own values and beliefs.
Despite being supported by faith, many individuals choose to follow Buddhism. They begin by studying the theories based on their faith, and eventually, their faith becomes more rationalized. However, true Buddhism goes beyond simply having faith. It involves both the understanding and the practice of the theory in order to truly realize it. Therefore, Buddhism cannot be solely considered a religion, as it requires both theoretical and practical completion.
Buddhism cannot be classified as a political ideology, as its focus lies in individual spiritual development rather than societal or political change. While Buddhism may contribute to a harmonious society, it is not a political tool or means.
Buddhism cannot be accurately described as a culture or art form. While there are cultural aspects to Buddhism, its primary focus goes beyond such labels. Culture is the result of accumulated thoughts and behaviors expressed through language. While Buddhism may have cultural elements, its ultimate goal is to transcend such limitations. As I mentioned earlier, when a practitioner reaches a certain state, language and the ordinary mind become obsolete. Therefore, it is inappropriate to define Buddhism solely based on cultural practices or beliefs.
Excerpted from: Buddhist Worldview and Modern Life
