Believer profile
Occupation:
Buddhist monk.
Last update: May 08,
2006 – 11:48 AM
BELIEVER: The REV.
SATHINDRIYA (BHANTE
SATHI ), 31, MINNEAPOLIS
Occupation:
Buddhist monk.
Faith: Buddhism.
Favorite music:
Buddhist chanting.
What do you
believe and why? If I
have to use the word
"believe," I would say
that I believe in the
teachings of Buddha. The
Buddhist point of view
is that we do not have
to believe in anything
we cannot experience for
ourselves. When asked,
"How do we know whose
teachings to believe?"
Buddha replied, "Do not
believe something to be
true just because it is
spread by word of mouth,
practiced as a tradition
or sensationally spread
far and wide. Do not
believe something to be
true just because it is
cited in scriptures or
on the grounds of logic
or philosophy. Do not
believe a statement to
be true just because it
appeals to one's common
sense or preconceived
idea. Do not believe
something to be true
based on the speaker's
credibility or because
the speaker is your
teacher." In Buddhism,
no system of dogmatism
forces others to believe
without giving them a
chance to decide for
themselves. This keeps
us from being enslaved
by others' concepts.
Buddhism teaches how to
believe in one's self.
By observing the nature
of the self and doing
the right thing
according to an open
mind, one can develop
faith in one's own self.