The Buddhist attitude towards other religions

As far as the Buddhist attitude towards other religions is conserved the Brahmajala Sutta should be mentioned here that Buddhist’s classification of the religious-philosophic environment of Buddhism mainly as it is given in the Brahmajala Sutta. The Buddha did not believe in distributing redinmate transcendental wisdom for everyone what he wanted is people to get at the dhamma by themselves “paccattam vedi tappo”. When some presented a theory the Buddha would naturally ask him “do you know and see this yourself”. In the Kalama Sutta, he advised Kalama not to accept things on the ground of tradition, hearsay, conformity, with scriptures, respected to the teacher etc. The Buddha has done his best to avoid such as situation among the founders of religions. When we discuss this topic, it is better to keep our eyes on the word of the Buddha “saying that the Buddha was the only teacher who did claim to be other then a human being, pure and simple. Other teachers were either god or his incarnation in different form or inspired by him. The Buddha was not only a human being but he also claimed no inspiration from any god or external power either he attributed all his realization attainments and achievements to human endeavour and human intelligent. A man and only a man can become a Buddha. We have to get Buddhist attitude to reason and logic clear. It seems that the Buddha has given weight to reason against dogmatism. When we concern about the concept of God Buddhism totally refused that idea. The greatest scholar Hajime Nakamuka observes this concept of god “according to Buddhism faith becomes superstition when it is not examined by reason Gotama was described as a one who reason according to the truth rather then on the basic of the authority of the Veda or tradition. So Buddhism does not try to establish truth or convey it solely depending on logic or reasoning. It is always mentioned that truth is something to be realize for oneself and something difficult to communicate the question was asked by Sakka of the Buddha and the answer given was as follow;“Many fourfold in the world lot of gods in this many spherical worlds whichever sphere the beings touch or fine that the ascetic too severing in only in true. The rest of false them there is no agreement any religion people on theories, morality will and god.” D.N Vol ii. Page 282. This passage is very important as it reveals many things about the Buddhist attitude to the teaching of others. The Buddha’s cognition of the genuine nature of the teacher is fairly obvious here. He recognizes the ulti- dimensional aspect of the world. And the possibility of a truth seeker getting at aspect only and forming a view on the basic of it. This is based on meditation experiential grounds and not on logical ground. So there is no attempt here to belittle other religion but rather called for further insight. One is a Nalanda a promenade and wealthy householder name Upali a well known lay disciple of Nagandha Nataputta was expressly sent by Nigandha himself to I meet the Buddha and defeat him in argument him in argument on certain points in the theory of Kamma because the Buddha’s views one the subject were different from taught of Mahavira quite contrail to expectation. Upali at the end of discussion was convinced that the views of the Buddha were right and taught of his master were wrong. So he begged the Buddha asked him to reconsider it and not to be in a hurry for considering carefully is good for well-known like you. when Upali expressed his desire

again the Buddha requested him to continue to respect and supported his old religious teachers as he use to. In fact the Buddha was accommodating in his attitude good teaching. One a devaputta was a religious teacher in his previous life came to the Buddha and uttered some stanza. The Buddha found them to expound good morals. Hence he commanded them to be learnt and studied by the monks. Not only this but also Buddha expounded good samana practices as Vasavasa and recommended every monks must follow. There is an evidence to suggest that the Buddhists were welcome at non Buddhist gathering places because they were known as people who talks sense when the Buddhist lay man called “Thapati” was approaching Ugghamana monastery the monks were reported to hive taught how nice if he visit us seeing that we are silence. Culasakunutayi said to Buddha when the later visited him, when you visit us me and my followers waited anxiously thinking that if the Buddha’s say some thing we will listen to him. Vacchagotta welcome the Buddha to his lotus monastery saying “come in venerable sir, welcome sir, it is long time I see you since you have done the same kind gesture. The seat is ready please sit down sir” M.N. The Buddhist attitude towards other religions can be further seen following statement. It is stated in Buddhist Sutta that you should train yourself whatever doctrine, I shall train yourself, thus whatever doctrine I shall hear connected with what is good to him, I shall listen attentively investigates objectively reflect upon and upon this concentrate hole handily. In the Brahmajala Sutta the Buddha advises monk if other is speak against me or against the Dhamma or the Sangha you should on the account either have a grudge against them or suffer heaviness of heart or feel evil.