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Author Topic: Bhudha’s statement regarding scriptures  (Read 2188 times)

fast

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Bhudha’s statement regarding scriptures
« on: March 09, 2011, 07:17:04 AM »
Bhudha’s statement regarding scriptures

 Buddha said that without analysis, blind acceptance of even scripture and tradition is of no use. The scripture is already a well-settled conclusion of long logical debates. But, unfortunately, the wrong interpretation of the scripture is always developed through bad logic. This bad logic must be rejected by good logic, which is the reasonable process of reasoning. Therefore, when Buddha said that you should not accept the scripture blindly, means that you should not accept blindly the wrong interpretation of the scripture.
www.universal-spirituality.org
Universal Spirituality for World Peace
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catowoman

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Re: Bhudha’s statement regarding scriptures
« Reply #1 on: December 23, 2011, 08:11:49 AM »
This has become the common problem – understanding the scripture. In reading alone there are some words that held different meaning to us than how it should be viewed or understood. We must accept that we can’t know everything. In fact there are still verses that are hard for me to understand or to apply in real life. That is why I make it a point to always attend a Catholic mass (I’m Roman Catholic) and listen to preach not only in masses but also by other people who have better understanding about The Word. I also read Christian books and hear inspirational stories written and happening around me.
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R. Paradon

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Re: Bhudha’s statement regarding scriptures
« Reply #2 on: February 06, 2012, 04:22:11 AM »
I am not sure what scriptures the Buddha was referring to, but it does not matter.  What he was saying I think, is that do not read something and take it for absolute truth.  If you think it is good, than apply the principals to your life and see the results.  If it is not good for you then it is not good.

The Buddha before his enlightenment had followed many different gurus and most of them seemed happy when he decided to leave because he did not believe anything unless he knew it was true.

A very simple analogy would be this.  You visit your Uncles home and every body tells you that he has developed a new sauce and uses it over vegetables.  It is truly delicious they say.  So you try it with great anticipation and it really is bad.  You can not take a bite without gagging.  So you excuse yourself from the table and never eat there again.  If the scriptures make sense to you and following them makes you feel good, then go for it.  But don't believe everything someone utters without checking it out for youself.
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zerospin

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Re: Bhudha’s statement regarding scriptures
« Reply #3 on: February 14, 2012, 02:22:32 PM »
Quote from: fast on March 09, 2011, 07:17:04 AM
Bhudha’s statement regarding scriptures
 Buddha said that without analysis, blind acceptance of even scripture and tradition is of no use. The scripture is already a well-settled conclusion of long logical debates. But, unfortunately, the wrong interpretation of the scripture is always developed through bad logic. This bad logic must be rejected by good logic, which is the reasonable process of reasoning. Therefore, when Buddha said that you should not accept the scripture blindly, means that you should not accept blindly the wrong interpretation of the scripture.

Well, he has a point and what he said is coherent, however his logic is flawed. Since one can't know what the 'right' interpretation is, then following his advice, one has to discard all scriptures and all interpretations. This makes the entire advice useless. Who is to decide when an interpretation is right? Me, you, a priest, god? I can claim god is talking to me and fool many to believe my interpretation is the 'right' one. What then?
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R. Paradon

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Re: Bhudha’s statement regarding scriptures
« Reply #4 on: February 15, 2012, 11:11:54 AM »
Quote from: zerospin on February 14, 2012, 02:22:32 PM
Who is to decide when an interpretation is right? Me, you, a priest, god?

You of course, you meaning zerospin.  Again everything I say in these forums is what I have been taught and some of my personal insight and that is why I usually say "I believe" or something like that.  I do not proclaim to be any expert.

The Buddha and other monks teach to us to "TRY IT OUT"  "FIND OUT FOR YOURSELF IF IS TRUE FOR YOU!"  Unlike many other paths and religions there is absolutely no "Blind Faith Factor." 

Most of the things that are paste and copied from the member "fast" are from:   www.universal-spirituality.org
Universal Spirituality for World Peace.   I have not gone there and so I do not know if what they are saying are their thoughts from the Buddha or just their interpretations (actually I just went there out of curiosity and I don't believe I will return).

And as far as:   "I can claim god is talking to me and fool many to believe my interpretation is the 'right' one. What then?", I imagine you will find many people to believe you, but I would want to see lots of proof first!

Take care!



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Sandra Piddock

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Re: Bhudha’s statement regarding scriptures
« Reply #5 on: February 16, 2012, 10:54:41 PM »
Quote from: R. Paradon on February 06, 2012, 04:22:11 AM
A very simple analogy would be this.  You visit your Uncles home and every body tells you that he has developed a new sauce and uses it over vegetables.  It is truly delicious they say.  So you try it with great anticipation and it really is bad.  You can not take a bite without gagging.  So you excuse yourself from the table and never eat there again.  If the scriptures make sense to you and following them makes you feel good, then go for it.  But don't believe everything someone utters without checking it out for youself.

That is a really good path to follow, whatever your religion. You have to believe and trust in the scriptures if they are to have any influence in your life, and only you can decide whether it is good for you or not. The best religions and belief systems are not based on blind faith, but reasoned analysis.
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catowoman

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Re: Bhudha’s statement regarding scriptures
« Reply #6 on: February 17, 2012, 10:46:33 AM »
Quote from: R. Paradon on February 06, 2012, 04:22:11 AM
A very simple analogy would be this.  You visit your Uncles home and every body tells you that he has developed a new sauce and uses it over vegetables.  It is truly delicious they say.  So you try it with great anticipation and it really is bad.  You can not take a bite without gagging.  So you excuse yourself from the table and never eat there again.  If the scriptures make sense to you and following them makes you feel good, then go for it.  But don't believe everything someone utters without checking it out for youself.

My question is why would people say that the new sauce is really delicious when it's not and you're the only one in that table who think it's bad?

Though I agree that you yourself are the only one who can decide whether a thing is right or wrong, what if you yourself are blinded? I mean, there are people who think they are right and believing so they think all that which is against their beliefs are wrong. A person who only believes himself right is different from a person who sees what really is right and experiencing it alone although gives justice to what you are seeking is not enough. You must also learn from the people around you. We can't learn all on our own. If people made mistake and we hear it, we don't judge the person but learn from his experience. I think the events in scripture will tell you where people had gone wrong but if you judged the people there and take the events there or the events around you as some sort of case studies for your analysis, I think you're not looking for the good of it but just to test your intelligence. Er, I’m saying this because there are people who see the scripture as a tool to sharpen their brain and not as a guide for life.
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gjkrtaew

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Re: Bhudha’s statement regarding scriptures
« Reply #7 on: February 22, 2012, 02:14:15 AM »
This bad logic must be rejected by good logic, which is the reasonable process of reasoning. Therefore, when Buddha said that you should not accept the scripture blindly, means that you should not accept blindly the wrong interpretation of the scripture.
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gjkrtaew

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Re: Bhudha’s statement regarding scriptures
« Reply #8 on: February 22, 2012, 02:14:59 AM »
Therefore, when Buddha said that you should not accept the scripture blindly, means that you should not accept blindly the wrong interpretation of the scripture.
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R. Paradon

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Re: Bhudha’s statement regarding scriptures
« Reply #9 on: March 05, 2012, 04:24:35 AM »
Quote from: catowoman on February 17, 2012, 10:46:33 AM
My question is why would people say that the new sauce is really delicious when it's not and you're the only one in that table who think it's bad?

Though I agree that you yourself are the only one who can decide whether a thing is right or wrong, what if you yourself are blinded? I mean, there are people who think they are right and believing so they think all that which is against their beliefs are wrong. A person who only believes himself right is different from a person who sees what really is right and experiencing it alone although gives justice to what you are seeking is not enough. You must also learn from the people around you. We can't learn all on our own. If people made mistake and we hear it, we don't judge the person but learn from his experience. I think the events in scripture will tell you where people had gone wrong but if you judged the people there and take the events there or the events around you as some sort of case studies for your analysis, I think you're not looking for the good of it but just to test your intelligence. Er, I’m saying this because there are people who see the scripture as a tool to sharpen their brain and not as a guide for life.

You make a lot of sense.  People can use scriptures to better themselves for wealth and so on, but if they use what they learn in this life positively, then they will succeed.  I think that people who study Buddhism go there to learn how to have a better life.  That is what started me studying many years ago, but I also admit quite freely that many times I will jump in and do something that I know is not the best for me.  Free will!
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R. Paradon

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Re: Bhudha’s statement regarding scriptures
« Reply #10 on: March 05, 2012, 04:35:52 AM »
Quote from: gjkrtaew on February 22, 2012, 02:14:15 AM
This bad logic must be rejected by good logic, which is the reasonable process of reasoning. Therefore, when Buddha said that you should not accept the scripture blindly, means that you should not accept blindly the wrong interpretation of the scripture.

Hi gjkrtaew!

There was a Monk who told one of his new trainees (for lack of a better word) to walk across a bridge.  When he started walking the monk yelled at him, "No, walk more to the right." So the man walked to the right.  Then the monk yelled, "No, walk more to the left!" So the man walked more to the left.  "Then the monk yelled, "No, walk more in the center!"  The man, thoroughly confused turned and asked the monk, "I walk to the right and you tell me to walk to the left, I walk to the left and you tell me to walk to the left, then I walk to to the left and you tell me to walk to the center!"

The monk smiled and simple said "Yes."  What he was telling the man that there are so many ways  to do even the simplest of things, but there really is no correct way!  Walk down the middle path.
« Last Edit: March 05, 2012, 04:37:23 AM by R. Paradon »
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