In every religion we find one type of self-devotion particularly developed. The type of working without a motive is most highly developed in Buddhism. Do not mistake Buddhism and Brâhminism. In this country you are very apt to do so. Buddhism is one of our sects. It was founded by a great man called Gautama, who became disgusted at the eternal metaphysical discussions of his day, and the cumbrous rituals, and more especially with the caste system. Some people say that we are born to a certain state, and therefore we are superior to others who are not thus born. He was also against the tremendous priestcraft. He preached a religion in which there was no motive power, and was perfectly agnostic about metaphysics or theories about God. He was often asked if there was a God, and he answered, he did not know. When asked about right conduct, he would reply, Do good and be good. There came five Brâhmins, who asked him to settle their discussion. One said, Sir, my book says that God is such and such, and that this is the way to come to God. Another said, That is wrong, for my book says such and such, and this is the way to come to God; and so the others. He listened calmly to all of them, and then asked them one by one, Does any one of your books say that God becomes angry, that He ever injures anyone, that He is impure? No, Sir, they all teach that God is pure and good. Then, my friends, why do you not become pure and good first, that you may know what God is? -- Swami Vivekananda
Posted on: Mon, 06 Oct 2014 03:27:57 +0000
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