Far more difficult to subdue and of greater
benefit to all, is to subdue our passions and
defilements. One may conquer in battle a
thousand times a thousand men, yet he is the
best of conquerors who conquers himself.
Blind faith
Buddhism does not demand blind faith from its
followers. Mere belief is dethroned and is
replaced by confidence based on knowledge.
The confidence placed by a follower on the
Buddha is like that of a sick person in a noted
physician or a student in his teacher who has
shown the path of liberation.
A Buddhist does not think that he can gain
purity merely by seeking refuge in the Buddha
or by mere faith in him.
As a follower progresses. he is able to
substantiate the truths by his personal
experiences. Knowledge and understanding, not
blind faith is needed to walk the path.
Not idol worshipping
Although Buddhist pay respect to the Buddha
image, they are not idol-worshippers. Idolatry
means erecting idols of deities and praying to
them for favors of good health. wealth and
fortune. A Buddhist does not worship an image
expecting worldly or spiritual favors, but paying
homage to what it represents.
The image of the Buddha merely symbolizes the
wisdom, loving-kindness and compassion of this
great teacher. The serene and smiling image of
the Buddha brings calmness in the mind of the
followers. Whenever Buddhists pay homage by
bowing in front of the Buddha image, they
make a resolution to try to live according to
their Teacher's high standards of wisdom, loving
kindness and compassion.
Certain other Buddhist devotional practices
such as offerings of lighted candles, lamps,
flowers and incense can be mistaken for
meaningless rites and rituals, but they have
deep religious significance. The light from the
candles and lamps represent the dispelling of
the darkness of ignorance with light. The beauty
of the flowers and the aroma of the incense
which soon fades away serve as constant
reminders of a basic teaching on the
impermanency of all worldly things including
our physical bodies and life.These devotional practices, however, do not
constitute the heart of the practice of Buddhism.
They only serve to assist devotees who would
otherwise find it difficult to picture in their
minds. the concepts of loving-kindness,
compassion purity and the impermanency of
human life and all worldly objects.Moreover, when fellow devotees gather
together in the temple for devotions, they
experience a deep sense of fellowship and
encou-ragement to keep striving for the goal of
enlightenment.Not pessimisticOne often comes across people who have
dismissed Buddhism as pessimistic after getting
some fragmentary picture of the teachings on
renunciation, on giving up of all worldly
pos-sessions. and on sufferings experienced in
living a worldly life.The Buddha never discouraged the enjoyment
of worldly pleasures, happiness and material
goods. He only encouraged Buddhists to do
everything in moderation and not to crave for
more and more.