We should maintain that if an interpretation of any word in any religion leads to disharmony and does not positively further the welfare of the many, then such an interpretation is to be regarded as wrong; that is, against the will of God, or as the working of Satan or Mara.

Buddhadasa Bikkhu, a Thai Buddhist Monk


Sunday, July 24, 2011

Freedom From Notions

When I read any scripture, Christian or Buddhist, I always keep in mind that whatever Jesus or the Buddha said was to a particular person or group on a particular occasion.  I try to understand deeply the context in which they spoke in order to really understand their meaning.  What they said may be less important than how they said it.  When we understand this we are close to Jesus or the Buddha.  But if we analyze their words to find the deepest meaning without understanding the relationships between the speaker and his listeners, we may miss the point.  Theologians sometimes forget this.

Thich Nhat Hanh, Living Buddha, Living Christ