[无量香光 · 显密文库 · 手机站]
fowap.goodweb.net.cn
{返回首页}


21. The Buddhas Attitude Towards Other Religious Teachers
 
{返回 Life of the Buddha 文集}
{返回网页版}
点击:1855

(Part Two) 21. The Buddha's Attitude Towards Other Religious Teachers

Upali*was a millionaire, and one of the best pupils of another religious teacher, Nigantha Nathaputta, whose teaching differed from that of the Buddha. Upali was also a very good debater and was asked one day by his religious teacher to challenge the Buddha on certain points of the law of cause and effect (karma). After a long and complicated discussion, the Buddha was able to convince Upali that his religious teacher's views were wrong.

Upali was so impressed with the Buddha's teaching that he immediately asked to become his follower. He was surprised when the Buddha advised him, "Upali, you are a famous person. Be sure that you are not changing your religion just because you are pleased with me or that you are under the influence of your emotions. Thoroughly investigate my teaching with an open mind before you decide to become my follower."

Hearing the Buddha's spirit of free inquiry, Upali was even more pleased and said, "Lord, it is wonderful that you have asked me to think this over carefully. Other teachers would have accepted me without hesitation, taken me through the streets in a procession and proclaimed that the millionaire had renounced his former religion and embraced theirs. Yes, indeed, I am sure now, Lord please accept me as your follower."

The Buddha agreed to accept Upali as his lay follower, but further advised him, "Although you have now become my follower, Upali, you should practise tolerance and compassion. Continue to give alms to your former religious teachers as they still depend very much on your support. You cannot just ignore them and withdraw the support you used to give them."

The advice the Buddha gave that day about tolerance, free inquiry and not accepting his teachings for emotional reasons has led to the clean record in the history of Buddhism. There has never been any Buddhist religious fanatic who forced people to accept the religion by torture or fear of punishment. Buddhism spread through peaceful means mainly because of its beauty and goodwill.

* This is not the Venerable Upali, a barber before he became a monk, who answered questions on the Vinaya rules at the First Buddhist Council (see Part 2 Number 32.)


{返回 Life of the Buddha 文集}
{返回网页版}
{返回首页}

上一篇:22. The Monk Who Tried Too Hard
下一篇:20. The Quarrel at Kosambi
 31. The Buddhas Last Words
 12. King Bimbisaras Offer
 32. The First Buddhist Council
 25. The Mirror of the Dharma
 19. The First Five Monks
 18. Seven Weeks After Enlightenment..
 13. The Buddhas First Teachers
 2. The Conversion of Yasha
 31. Sunita, the Scavenger
 10. Alavaka, the Demon
全文 标题
 
【佛教文章随机阅读】
 公案禅机 参、识性起修 二、公案 — 除妄想心 9.斩去无明[栏目:善祥法师]
 从今天做起[栏目:人生加油站·迷悟之间]
 七十感言[栏目:葛印卡老师文集]
 烛光晚会[栏目:佛教寓言故事]
 略述无我义(妙藏)[栏目:般若]
 九十七年住持精进禅修导师开示[栏目:惟觉法师]
 《集量论》略解 十六 B[栏目:因明学讲记]
 来时迷和去时觉[栏目:慧门禅师]
 在对境面前才知有没修行[栏目:达真堪布·微教言·2011年]
 沙门果经 II 注疏篇 意生身智[栏目:菩提长老]


{返回首页}

△TOP

- 手机版 -
[无量香光·显密文库·佛教文集]
教育、非赢利、公益性的佛教文化传播
白玛若拙佛教文化传播工作室制作
www.goodweb.net.cn Copyrights reserved
(2003-2015)
站长信箱:yjp990@163.com