Single Idea 7601

[catalogued under 29. Religion / C. Spiritual Disciplines / 3. Buddhism]

Full Idea

Buddha taught that the only release from 'dukkha' (the meaningless flux of suffering which is human life) is a life of compassion for all living beings, speaking and behaving gently, kindly and accurately, and refraining from all intoxicants.

Gist of Idea

Life is suffering, from which only compassion, gentleness, truth and sobriety can save us

Source

Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) (reports [c.540 BCE], Ch.1), quoted by Karen Armstrong - A History of God Ch.1

Book Reference

Armstrong,Karen: 'A History of God' [Mandarin 1993], p.42


A Reaction

Christians are inclined to give the impression that Jesus invented the idea of being nice, but it ain't so. The obvious thought is that the Buddha seems to be focusing on the individual, but this is actually a formula for a better community.