An issue between belief and practice

[dyanaprajna2011]

I know alot of Buddhists believe that all religions lead to the same goal. I know alot of Buddhists who say that we shouldn't judge other religions, and just let them be. And I know alot of Buddhists who say that we should keep our religion private, to ourselves. But this is where I'm having some trouble.

The Buddha taught that we are to have compassion on all sentient beings, and part of that compassion was to teach them the dharma. The Buddha taught that part of suffering was due to having wrong view, so he taught us to have right view.

These two things, to me, shows that: 1. Buddhism should be considered the ultimate religion by it's practitioners, and 2. Buddhism should be propagated.

I'm not suggesting, or at least I hope I'm not suggesting, that we should aggressively proselytize, this would be foolish. But if we are to show compassion to sentient beings, shouldn't this include teaching them the dharma, and right view?

Or am I just misunderstanding some things and way off base?

 

[crossfire]

I like to bring out the dhamma in other religions.

 

[dyanaprajna2011]

I like to bring out the dhamma in other religions.

I like the way you put that. I never thought about that.

 

[Sunstone]

I have nothing in principle against Buddhists proselytizing. But representing Buddhism as the ultimate religion? Wouldn't it be more correct to say that Buddhism is likely to fit more people than other religions, but still won't fit everyone?

 

[dyanaprajna2011]

I have nothing in principle against Buddhists proselytizing. But representing Buddhism as the ultimate religion? Wouldn't it be more correct to say that Buddhism is likely to fit more people than other religions, but still won't fit everyone?

That's what I think. And that's why I'm having this issue, because that doesn't seem to be the case in some things I read.

 

[Northern Lights]

I know alot of Buddhists believe that all religions lead to the same goal. I know alot of Buddhists who say that we shouldn't judge other religions, and just let them be. And I know alot of Buddhists who say that we should keep our religion private, to ourselves. But this is where I'm having some trouble.

The Buddha taught that we are to have compassion on all sentient beings, and part of that compassion was to teach them the dharma. The Buddha taught that part of suffering was due to having wrong view, so he taught us to have right view.

These two things, to me, shows that: 1. Buddhism should be considered the ultimate religion by it's practitioners, and 2. Buddhism should be propagated.

I'm not suggesting, or at least I hope I'm not suggesting, that we should aggressively proselytize, this would be foolish. But if we are to show compassion to sentient beings, shouldn't this include teaching them the dharma, and right view?

Or am I just misunderstanding some things and way off base?

I can see where you're coming from, but to me, this is where the "Middle Way" comes in. We build the notions that you referred to above in our own minds, to reinforce our devotion to our practice. But I don't for one moment think that (even in a Mahayana context) that the Buddha was alluding to 'active spreading of the word'.

 

[Ablaze]

Teach by example, not by authoritative means.

 

[punkdbass]

^What Ablaze said.

Proselytization is a difficult subject.. on one hand, a lot of people out there could sure use some help finding meaning and purpose in this life. But on another hand, many people feel disturbed or offended by proselytizers because if you think about it, proselytization somewhat assumes that the person is not able to have a fulfilling relationship with God/Reality outside of the Proselytizer's path (hence the need for trying to convert people).

 

[dyanaprajna2011]

I keep trying to find the best way to be compassionate, trying to show dana through giving of the dharma, without being aggressive or being a proselytizer.

 

[ametist]

No propaganda stands out as a propaganda among all agents which are in an act of active propaganda. It isnt very sincere try not to propaganda a religion or belief system because most do that passionately. So I think a person should be casual. I personally dont have anything that much of value to another to make the propaganda of.

 

[Twilight Hue]

I know alot of Buddhists believe that all religions lead to the same goal. I know alot of Buddhists who say that we shouldn't judge other religions, and just let them be. And I know alot of Buddhists who say that we should keep our religion private, to ourselves. But this is where I'm having some trouble.

The Buddha taught that we are to have compassion on all sentient beings, and part of that compassion was to teach them the dharma. The Buddha taught that part of suffering was due to having wrong view, so he taught us to have right view.

These two things, to me, shows that: 1. Buddhism should be considered the ultimate religion by it's practitioners, and 2. Buddhism should be propagated.

I'm not suggesting, or at least I hope I'm not suggesting, that we should aggressively proselytize, this would be foolish. But if we are to show compassion to sentient beings, shouldn't this include teaching them the dharma, and right view?

Or am I just misunderstanding some things and way off base?

I suppose that depends if you happen to view Buddhist dharma as a written work to be taught, or if the dharma produces written works as a reflection of which serves as a guide to be expressed to others.

 

[Jeff Strehlow]

"These two things, to me, shows that: 1. Buddhism should be considered the ultimate religion by it's practitioners, and 2. Buddhism should be propagated."

There are several Buddhist schools that seem quite different, but I see them all as ways to enlightenment. I think it's possible that some other religions likewise might lead to enlightenment, even though they appear to be much different. So for that reason, I'm generally supportive of other religions, especially the ones that have similar values and practices as Buddhism. I don't believe that there is one correct way to enlightenment. Different people have different needs and may find different ways more suitable.

But that doesn't mean that I don't discuss religion with Christians for example. When I do, I try to be respectful of Christianity. I emphasize things like the importance of be putting Jesus teachings into practice.

When I speak to anyone who is religious or not, I emphasize harmony and the golden rule "do unto others as you would have them do unto you". I talk about fairness and not being biased. By doing that I'm teaching Buddhist practices without making people feel like I'm pushing some religion down their throat.

 

[Aupmanyav]

1. Buddhism should be considered the ultimate religion by it's practitioners, and 2. Buddhism should be propagated.

You are welcome to the second point. People have spoken on the first point. People may have 'technical' problems )) with Buddhism, though on the whole it is very nice and wise.

 

[DreadFish]

I think its a matter of living by example and providing guidance when it is asked for.

I also think that your impression that Buddhism is the ultimate religion might also stem from the fact that the suttas/sutras were compiled by followers and not by the Buddha. I have no idea how realized the people who compiled and wrote the scriptures were but, as followers of the Buddha's teachings, im sure they believed that it was the "right" path of practice and thus represented it as such.

My favourite teachings tend to convey the Dharma as the natural law of things and the practice is simply to be in accord with that natural law, i.e. the way things work. When you are in accord with those natural laws, you are free from stress and discontent.

By the natural way conditioned things work, we have to eat and sleep to survive and by the natural way things work, we live in certain ways to be free from stress and discontent.