Mahanama, the most prominent adherent of Gotama's teaching in Kapilavatthu, asks the Buddha to explain what it means to be an adherent rather than a mendicant. The answer he receives would still serve to describe adherents in most Buddhist countries today. An adherent is "one who has gone for refuge to the Buddha, the dharma, and the sangha"; an adherent accomplished in virtue is one who "abstains from killing; stealing; sexual abuse; lying; and psycho-active substances that lead to carelessness"; an adherent is endowed with "faith in the awakening of the tathagata," "dwells at home with a mind devoid of stinginess, freely generous and open-handed," and "possesses understanding directed to arising and ceasing, which is noble and penetrating."
---Stephen Batchelor, in after buddhism---
No comments:
Post a Comment