The White Lotus Sangha
Buddha Shakyamuni’s invitation to one and all is therefore “Come and See….try it”, investigate for your self and question.
One of the Buddha said to his followers was "Place no head above your own". By this he meant, don't accept somebody else's word as being the only way. See for yourself, in the end we as individuals, have the power to transform our suffering into happiness.
"The Dhamma has to be found by looking into your own heart
and seeing that which is true and that which is not,
that which is balanced and that which is not balanced."
Ajahn Chah
and seeing that which is true and that which is not,
that which is balanced and that which is not balanced."
Ajahn Chah
21st Century Buddhism In the West
Buddhism as a religion/philosophy dates back almost three thousand years, yet its practical philosophy means that it is even more applicable in today's difficult times when the words faith and morality seem to have little meaning with todays modern 24/7 lifestyle. In Buddhism, faith and morality comes not from a sense of believing in something because it is written in a book or attributed to a prophet or taught to you by some figure in authority. The meaning of faith in the Buddhist context is closer to the word “confidence”, knowing that something is true because you have seen it work, because you have observed or experienced that very thing within yourself. In the same way, morality is not a ritualistic obedience to some exterior, imposed code of behavior, morality in this sence, is a self discipline influenced by the teaching of the Buddha. I know that to kill living things, to steal or lie is wrong, and because “I” know and have learnt that this is wrong I also know that the laws of Karma, (the laws of cause and effect), will have consequenses for me as an individual should I choose to kill, lie or steel.
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History of Buddhism 3