Laurens
New Member
I think you're right in stating that Buddhism is more of a philosophy than a religion. Though sadly this is not a view held by many Buddhists I have encountered, they're more into prayer beads and incense than the core teachings.
I think the Buddha was all too aware of becoming worshipped as a religious figure, and there are a number of things that support this notion. The first being the Kalama Sutta, in which the Buddha instructs a group of people on the benefits of critically and sceptically thinking, especially when it comes to religious teachers. The Sutta can be found here: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an03/an03.065.than.html
And the Buddha also instructed his followers specifically not to make statues of him, or any kinds of images, because I think he wanted the core of his teachings to be remembered, rather than himself as a person.
He also didn't appoint a successor when he died, to avoid any kind of over reliance upon leaders and the kinds of issues that it could raise.
It's just a shame that a lot of Buddhists spend time worshipping the Buddha these days rather than focusing on the core teachings. I think the Buddha was all too aware that he was becoming a religious figure and I'm not sure if that sat well with him.
Then again I could be completely mistaken.
I think the Buddha was all too aware of becoming worshipped as a religious figure, and there are a number of things that support this notion. The first being the Kalama Sutta, in which the Buddha instructs a group of people on the benefits of critically and sceptically thinking, especially when it comes to religious teachers. The Sutta can be found here: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an03/an03.065.than.html
"Now, Kalamas, don't go by reports, by legends, by traditions, by scripture, by logical conjecture, by inference, by analogies, by agreement through pondering views, by probability, or by the thought, 'This contemplative is our teacher.' When you know for yourselves that, 'These qualities are skillful; these qualities are blameless; these qualities are praised by the wise; these qualities, when adopted & carried out, lead to welfare & to happiness' , then you should enter & remain in them."
And the Buddha also instructed his followers specifically not to make statues of him, or any kinds of images, because I think he wanted the core of his teachings to be remembered, rather than himself as a person.
He also didn't appoint a successor when he died, to avoid any kind of over reliance upon leaders and the kinds of issues that it could raise.
It's just a shame that a lot of Buddhists spend time worshipping the Buddha these days rather than focusing on the core teachings. I think the Buddha was all too aware that he was becoming a religious figure and I'm not sure if that sat well with him.
Then again I could be completely mistaken.