Religious interpretations invariably reduce complexity to uniformity while elevating matter-of-factness to holiness. (p 4)Buddha's awakening was both existential and experiential. He discovered the four ennobling truths: anguish/suffering, the causes of suffering, the end of suffering, and how to end suffering (the noble eightfold path).
When Buddhism becomes a religion:
... Four ennobling truths to be acted upon are neatly turned into four propositions of fact to be believed...the four ennobling truths become principal dogmas of the belief system known as "Buddhism". (p 5)The Buddha described his awakening ('from the sleep of existential confusion') as 'having discovered complete freedom of heart and mind from the compulsions of craving.' (p 5)
'While "Buddhism" suggests another belief system, "dharma practice" suggests a course of action.' (p 7)
2 comments:
Great post.
Thank you, I need to read the whole of this book by Stephen Batchelor as I am sure there are plenty more quotes to add!
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