Believe nothing

“Believe nothing because a so-called wise man said it.
Believe nothing because a belief is generally held.
Believe nothing because it is written in ancient books.
Believe nothing because it is said to be of divine origin.
Believe nothing because someone else believes it.
Believe only what you yourself judge to be true.”
~ Buddha ~


What is your opinion about this?

EmergingPath, I think this is a pretty cool quote. Ultimately, we are the ones who decide what is our own truth, and we are perfectly capable of doing that. What is said here is in agreement with the teachings of many others, including the Greek philosophers who suggested that it is a very good thing to do to examine one's life. The search and the realization of how we can live the best lives we can must begin and end with us.

What is not said here, although it can be implied, is that examining our lives does not have to result in a lonely existance. It can be just the opposite of that. Once we have found that certain things are true (i.e. it is better to love than to hate), we can recognize that there are many other people who have also found this to be true.

We are not alone. In fact, we are all in this together. More than that, we have the capacity to join with others who have found similar versions of the truth, and when we do that, amazing things can happen. We can live better lives, and so can others. Maybe that's why we are here, that there is a greater power and meaning to the very fact that we exist.

Ultimately we are each responsible for our own beliefs and actions in support of or against those beliefs.

Taking the time to "think about what you think about" is probably the single most important thing you can ever do for yourself!!

Just my opinion

believe in your potential
your chemistry with charisma

your not basic
your not a monkey

just like an alligator is not a crocodile

[Roselove]

well said! it's all a matter of perception.. no one knows anything for sure.. we are constantly growing, evolving and increasing our awareness

Believe only what you yourself judge to be true.

[Chrysaetos]

Originally Posted by EmergingPath

“Believe nothing because a so-called wise man said it.
Believe nothing because a belief is generally held.
Believe nothing because it is written in ancient books.
Believe nothing because it is said to be of divine origin.
Believe nothing because someone else believes it.
Believe only what you yourself judge to be true.”
~ Buddha ~


What is your opinion about this?

Hi EmergingPath,

I like that quote.
Having no beliefs is not that easy, there are always some spiritual concepts that make the most sense, so it's tempting to believe it.

I try to follow Buddha's approach to beliefs as much as I can.

I love that quote, it's more of self-assurance and what YOU believe is the path you should take. NOT because someone tells you otherwise regardless of resources. If you hold yourself true and you respect yourself, you would go about what YOU believe in and if that changes, so be it, but if you choose to stick to a path, let none deter you.

Originally Posted by Chrysaetos

Hi EmergingPath,

I like that quote.
Having no beliefs is not that easy, there are always some spiritual concepts that make the most sense, so it's tempting to believe it.

I try to follow Buddha's approach to beliefs as much as I can.

Rumar is exactly right Chrysatos.

Originally Posted by Rumar

I love that quote, it's more of self-assurance and what YOU believe is the path you should take. NOT because someone tells you otherwise regardless of resources. If you hold yourself true and you respect yourself, you would go about what YOU believe in and if that changes, so be it, but if you choose to stick to a path, let none deter you.

That quote in the OP from Buddha does not say not to believe anything, its says to not to believe anything JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE TELLS YOU TO and to only believe what resonates with you and not just because your Preacher or minister or Imam or Rabbi or Guru or Mom or Dad tells you to believe something.

if you are told the sky is green and you believe it to be blue, believe it to be blue and not green as they told you

If you are told that water is wet and you agree with that then believe that the water is wet. Just dont believe that the water is wet until YOU have decide for yourself that it is wet. Yes?

If it resonates with you, take it and own it. If it does not, toss it away, even if everyone else tells you that is the only truth...

EmergingPath,

A wonderful quote. Not sure if you agree with it, but I certainly share that outlook. I think the underlying word in that quote is "judge." Belief is a mental state - not an authentic method of knowledge unless it is supported with the immediacies of reliable lived experiences. An authentic spiritual search isn't unlike an empirical, adventurous, experimental undertaking that tests both your determination and ever-growing skill set.