Expert: Justin Choo - 5/12/2011

Question
Dear Brother,
I agree with your views, which you have kindly expressed in your second reply, for which I thank you--Maybe the point is not to take the scriptures literally where they seem 'problematic, in terms of reason......Do Buddhists need to believe in that the texts are infallible in the same way as Muslims and many Christians do?
With metta [I recently learned the meaning of this term!]
yoginder

Answer
Brother Yoginder,

Yes, "Brother" is the preferred term for a Buddhist to address another fellow male Buddhist.  At the end of messages, we usually use " With Metta" meaning "With loving kindness".

I am very happy that you can understand the rationale behind my views.  You see, all other religions fall into the trap that whatever that are written in their Holy Books MUST be the truth.  The problem aggravates itself when what is written does not make sense.  Worst is that there are contradictory passages in their Holy Books.  They suffer psychological agony when they try to rationalize and justify all these inconsistencies that are by themselves just plain contradictions.  Most of the adherance have been brain-washed from the very beginning to accept everything as Gospel truths and are forbidden to question what is written.  To add to this tragedy, anyone who question the authority will be treated like a criminal.  And what when others try to criticize their belief?  War can even erupt!

THe Buddha did not want this type of blind faith from his followers.  He encouraged critical thinking and analyses.  This is why Buddhists are able to use their human intelligence and common sense to practise his teachings.  We must always remember that what were written or orally handed down may not be correct.  Those who were responsible for transmitting the Buddha's teachings were fallable humans too! The fact that we can use our human intellect to analyze the Buddha's teachings, we are able to behave rationally and have confidence in the Buddha's teachings.

<<"Maybe the point is not to take the scriptures literally where they seem 'problematic, in terms of reason......Do Buddhists need to believe in that the texts are infallible in the same way as Muslims and many Christians do?">>
I am sure you know the answer by now.  Congratulations!

With Metta.