Opinions

The Buddha taught opinions are a spiritual blind alley. One who holds an opinion grasps it tightly, proclaiming it supreme. This person becomes embroiled in conflict with those who hold contrary opinions. When opinions are grasped, sincere inquiry gives way to dogmatism as rival thinkers reject an impartial search for truth in favor of attempts (sometimes frenzied) to bolster their own standpoint. Similar to a hunter caught in his own snare, the opinion holder becomes trapped in a system of his own devising.