Open Mind

I have mentioned before that I do not seek to impose my thoughts and beliefs on others so I avoid giving an opinion, if possible, when it comes to something personal such as beliefs (religious and otherwise). As taught by my upbringing, education and religion - tolerance and open-mindedness (and I would like to add empathy) are sine qua non. However, sometimes, I am troubled by what I see and hear in the news or around me.


I would like to share of some information I have read from a booklet by Premaseri.

Emperor Asoka, one of the greatest Kings in India and a devout Buddhist erected rock edicts that carried Teachings of the Buddha. One such rock edict carries the following message:

'One should not honour only one's own religion and condemn the religion of others, but one should honour others' religions for this or that reason. In doing so, one helps one's own religion to grow and renders service to the religion of others too. In acting otherwise, one digs the grave of one's own religion and also does harm to other religions. Whosoever honours his own religion and condemns other religions does so indeed through devotion to his own religion, thinking, "I will glorify my own religion." But on the contrary, in doing so, he injures his own religion more gravely, so concord is good. Let all listen and be willing to listen to the doctrines professed by others.'

The above was inscribed on a rock around 250 BC. Think about the amount of bloodshed, holy wars, burnings at the stake or suicide bombings that could have been avoided if people accepted this.

From the same booklet, I have this story to share:

When Upali, a millionaire and a strong follower of a contemporary religion in India engaged Buddha in a discussion to try to show the superiority of his teacher's teaching over that of the Buddha's, he was so pleased with the Buddha's Teachings that he immediately expressed his desire to become a follower. But, the Buddha cautioned him saying:

"Oh householder, make a thorough investigation first. It is advisable for a distinguished man like you to make a thorough investigation."

Upali was overjoyed at this unexpected remark of Buddha and said:

"O Lord, if I had been a follower of another religion, they would take me from street to street in a procession, proclaiming that such and such a millionaire had renounced his former religion and embraced theirs. But O Lord, you advised me to investigate further, so I am much more pleased with this remark of yours."


In the Buddha's Kalama Sutta:

"Do not accept anything based upon mere reports, tradition or hearsay,
Nor upon the authority of religious texts,
Nor upon mere reasons and arguments,
Nor upon one's own inference,
Nor upon anything which appears to be true,
Nor upon one's own speculative opinions,
Nor upon another's seeming ability,
Not upon the consideration: This is our Teacher.

But when you know for yourself that certain things are unwholesome and bad: tending to harm yourself or others, reject them.

And when you know for yourself that certain things are wholesome and good: Conducive to the spiritual welfare of yourself as well as others, accept them and follow them."

The Buddha encouraged freedom of inquiry, and for his followers to test and experiment before accepting things. It is little wonder that academics and scientists such as Pascal, Einstein and others chose to follow his Teachings.


A gentle plea to the reader: When making a choice about your beliefs, please do not seek to follow ones that condones violence and justifies it with dogmatic reasonings. More harm cannot lead to good. Likewise, do not follow a path that requires you to hurt or alienate yourself from the people who love you. Love and compassion are sacred and precious.