idiom and vocabulary that were readily understandable. He paid close attention to the
psychological makeup of his interlocutors and listeners.”^209Core Assumptions
As is the case with all religious traditions, there are multiple forms of Buddhism (such
as Theravada, Mahayana, Zen, Pure Land, Vajrayana, and Tibetan). Over the centu-
ries, each culture and country adapted its existing belief system to what Buddhism had
to offer. However, in spite of some minor differences, all the major schools of Bud-
dhism share the same basic principles. Let us look at two of those principles before
we examine some of the specific precepts associated with Buddhism.
First, we have already alluded to the idea that Buddha made it clear thathe was not a
God but simply a man. In fact, Buddha went so far as to suggest that“a belief in god is
itself a form of human desire and clinging, a product of the ego and another cause of
suffering in that it prevents a person from becoming an autonomous and free human
being.”^210 When Buddha was asked if he were God, the answer he offered his followers
demonstrates the importance of this concept to the practice of Buddhism:
“Are you a god?”they asked.
“No.”
“An angel?”
“No.”
“A saint?”
“No.”
“Then what are you?”
Buddha answered,“I am awake.”^211
That simple response, “Iam
awake,”tells all who want to practice
Buddhism that the answer to life’s
questions can be found in the straight-
forward act of “waking up” and
becoming aware of the truths one
experiences when being enlightened.
Second, Buddha taught that all
individuals have the potential to seek
the truth on their own.“The Buddha rejected many of the forms of authority that are
relied upon by other religious traditions. Instead, he urged his followers to test teach-
ings against their own experiences, and only accept them if they ring true.”^212 As just
mentioned, it is often difficult for westerners to understand this orientation, as many
Western religions stress religious direction from the clergy. One of the most celebrated
Buddha sayings reaffirms his strong conviction in“self-discovery”:“Be lamps unto
yourselves. Be ye a refuge to yourselves. HoldfasttotheTruthasalamp.Holdfastasa
refuge to the Truth.”This emphasis on self-reliance is explained by the Buddhist
teacher Bhikkhu Bodhi:“For the Buddha, the key to liberation is mental purity and
correct understanding, and for this reason he rejects the notion that we gain salvation
by learning from an external source.”^213 The words“external source”represent theCONSIDER THIS
What in Buddhist philosophy led Buddha to instruct his fol-
lowers that he was“Not a God, but only a man seeking the
truth”?146 CHAPTER 4•Worldview: Cultural Explanations of Life and Death
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