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Buddhism 360

360 selected exerpts   | Page 1 / 15
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The Buddha taught and transformed people with his compassion and wisdom, which could also be seen in the way he treated followers of other religions. The Buddha's and his followers' amicable relations with other religions can be illustrated by the following two excerpts.

As recorded in the Upali Sutta (No. 56, Middle Section), there was a wealthy householder called Upali, who was a lay follower of Nigantha Nataputta (the mentor of naked ascetics). Once, when he learnt that the Buddha's viewpoint on karma differed from that of his religion, he eagerly offered himself to go and refute the Buddha's doctrine. However, after a series of back and forth questions and answers, he was thoroughly convinced of the points expounded by the Buddha, and wholeheartedly made a vow to take refuge in the Three Jewels. The Buddha accepted him but stressed that he should continue to respect and support his old religious teachers, and said 'For a long time now, householder, your family has been like a fountain to the naked ascetics. Hence, you must bear in mind that alms should be given to those who come '*.

In the third century B.C., Emperor Asoka of India, a devout Buddhist who followed the teachings of the Buddha, honored and supported all religions equally in his empire. At the same time, he also fostered harmony and mutual learning among religions. The excerpt below from No. 12 of Emperor Asoka's Edicts Carved on Rocks provides strong evidence.

'there should be growth in the essentials of all religions. Growth in essentials can be done in different ways, but all of them have as their root restraint in speech, that is, not praising one's own religion, or condemning the religion of others without good cause. And if there is cause for criticism, it should be done in a mild way. But it is better to honor other religions for this reason. By so doing, one's own religion benefts, and so do other religions, while doing otherwise harms one's own religion and the religions of others. Whoever praises his own religion, due to excessive devotion, and condemns others with the thought 'Let me glorify my own religion,' only harms his own religion. Therefore contact (between religions) is good2. One should listen to and respect the doctrines professed by others. '**

Today we wish to promote world peace and global unity. But where do we start? The Buddha and King Asoka have already demonstrated to us that world peace and global unity can be achieved if we start with unity and harmony among religions. In particular, Emperor Asoka's 12th Edict stated very clearly that followers of religions should not criticize each other; instead, they should study the religious teachings of one another.

Following the examples of the Buddha and King Asoka, members of the Hong Kong Buddhist Education Foundation selected 360 passages from various Buddhist sacred texts and compiled the passages in Buddhism 360, with the hope that we can help more people understand Buddhist education, as well as promote mutual learning among religions and contribute to social stability and harmony.

Chin Kung, AM, May 2016, Hong Kong


2. Ven. Walpola Sri Rahula translated 'ta samavayo eva sadhu ' as 'Concord is good. ' The Pali word 'samavaya ': [m.] combination; coming together.
* Upali Sutta. Sutta Central: https://suttacentral.net/en/mn56
**The Edicts of King Ashoka. An English rendering by Ven. S. Dhammika. The Wheel Publication No. 386/387 ISBN 955-24-0104-6 Published in 1993.



T o avoid all evil, to cultivate good, and to cleanse one’s mind — this is the teaching of the Buddhas.


Buddhism quote 7722 |  v.183, translated by Acharya Buddharakkhita.   See original Chinese




T he Buddhas, the World Honored Ones, appear in the world because they wish to lead living beings to open the knowledge and vision of the Buddhas and gain purity. They appear in the world because they wish to demonstrate to all living beings the knowledge and vision of the Buddhas. They appear in the world because they wish to lead living beings to awaken to the knowledge and vision of the Buddhas. They appear in the world because they wish to lead living beings to enter into the Path of the knowledge and vision of the Buddhas.


Buddhism quote 7723 |  Ch.2, translated by the Buddhist Text Translation Society.   See original Chinese




T he Thus Come One3 commiserates with the beings in the Three Realms with infinite great compassion. This is why he appears in the world: to expound Buddhist teachings and spread them everywhere, like light; to help all beings; and to bring true benefit to them.


Buddhism quote 7724 |  Translated by Pure Land Translation Team.   See original Chinese

3 A title of the Buddha.




I 4 have become a Buddha in this world, subdued the five evils, removed the five sufferings, and extinguished the five burnings. I have countered evil with good, eradicated the suffering of birthand-death, and enabled people to acquire the five virtues and attain the peace of unconditioned Nirvana. 5


Buddhism quote 7725 |  Translated by Hisao Inagaki.   See original Chinese

4.“I” in this compilation refers to Sakyamuni Buddha; unless indicated otherwise.
5. Nirvana: Ultimate state of release and liberation from cycle of rebirth.(泥洹:涅槃,又名無為,超越生死輪迴的至上解脫境界。)




I n the Buddha lands of the ten directions, there is only the Dharma of One Vehicle6; there are not two or three, except those spoken by the Buddhas as expedients.


Buddhism quote 7726 |  Ch.2, translated by the Buddhist Text Translation Society.   See original Chinese

6 The Saddharma Pundarika Sutra declares that the three vehicles of the Sravaka (disciple), Pratyekabuddha (solitary buddha), and Bodhisattva are actually just three expedient devices (upayacausalya) for attracting beings to the one buddha vehicle, via which they all become buddhas. (《法華經》稱,聲聞、緣覺、菩薩三乘實際上都 是為了引導眾生入一佛乘普皆成佛的方便法。)




I now rejoice and have no fear, and among the Bodhisattvas, I shall cast expedients aside, to speak only of the supreme Path.


Buddhism quote 7727 |  Ch.2, translated by the Buddhist Text Translation Society.   See original Chinese

7 本書所錄經句中的「我」或「吾」除特別說明 之外,都是指釋迦牟尼佛。




R eturning to the source, the nature is not two. Many are the entrances through expedients; the sagely nature permeates them all. Whether compliant or adverse, all situations are expedient.


Buddhism quote 7728 |  Book 6, translated by the Buddhist Text Translation Society.   See original Chinese




I n this land the true substance of teaching resides in hearing the sounds purely. If one wants to attain Samadhi8, hearing is the best way to enter.


Buddhism quote 7729 |  Book 6, translated by the Buddhist Text Translation Society.   See original Chinese

8 Meditative concentration.




B ecause he calls9 the Amitabha’s Name, with each repetition, the evil karma which he has committed during eighty kotis of kalpas10 of Samsara11 is extinguished.


Buddhism quote 7730 |  Translated by Hisao Inagaki.   See original Chinese

9 He chants the Amitabha’s Name.
10 Kalpa: An aeon, or an extraordinarily long period of time.(劫:萬古;很長時間的單位。)
11 Samsara: Cycle of rebirth.(輪迴:生命的輪轉。)




T he Buddha speaks equally, like the rain of a single flavor. According to living beings’ natures, they receive it differently. Just as those herbs and trees, each receives a different measure.


Buddhism quote 7731 |  Ch.5, translated by the Buddhist Text Translation Society.   See original Chinese




T he Buddha is the King of the Dharma; his virtues surpass that of all the sages. He is the Teacher of all devas12 and humans and enables them to enter on the Way according to their wishes.


Buddhism quote 7732 |  Translated by Hisao Inagaki.   See original Chinese

12 Deva: Divine being.(天神:天上的眾生。)




O ut of pity for you and other heavenly and human beings, I have ardently exhorted you to do good and have taught you the appropriate methods in accordance with your capacities. Those who have accepted my teachings and practiced them, have all, without fail, attained the Way as wished.


Buddhism quote 7733 |  Translated by Pure Voices. Hong Kong.   See original Chinese




W herever the Buddha’s teachings are followed, be it in a country, a city, or a village, people will be transformed and will benefit. All the lands will be enveloped in peace and harmony. The sun and moon will shine clear and bright. Wind and rain will come when needed. Disasters and epidemics will not occur. The country will flourish and the people will enjoy peace. There will be no need for soldiers or weapons. Virtue will be revered and benevolence will be promoted. People will practice courtesy and humility. There will be no thieves or robbers in the country. There will be neither injustice nor resentment. The strong will not dominate the weak. Everyone will be treated equitably and get along harmoniously.


Buddhism quote 7734 |  Translated by Pure Voices. Hong Kong.   See original Chinese




W hy do they not abandon all worldly involvements and strive, while they are strong and healthy, to pursue the good and diligently seek deliverance from samsara? If they do, they will be able to attain infinite life.


Buddhism quote 7735 |  Translated by Hisao Inagaki.   See original Chinese




T herefore, you should think deeply and try to avoid various evil acts; choose the good and diligently practice it. A life of addiction to desires or a life of pomp and vain glory cannot last long. All must part; there is nothing you can truly enjoy.


Buddhism quote 7736 |  Translated by Hisao Inagaki.   See original Chinese




I t is time for all to seek deliverance from the pains of birth, death, old age, and sickness. Outflows of depravity and defilement are everywhere, and there is nothing in which you can find true joy. You should resolutely do worthy deeds with decorum , strive to do more good, control and purify your selves , wash off the mind’s defilements , be sincere in word and deed, and allow no contradiction between what you think and what you do.


Buddhism quote 7737 |  Translated by Hisao Inagaki.   See original Chinese




I f a Bodhisattva accords with living beings then he accords with and makes offerings to all Buddhas. If he can honor and serve living beings then he honors and serves the Thus Come Ones. If he makes living beings happy, he is making all Thus Come Ones happy. Why is this? It is because all Buddhas, Thus Come Ones, take the Mind of Great Compassion as their substance.


Buddhism quote 7738 |  Ch.40, translated by the Buddhist Text Translation Society.   See original Chinese




B ecause of living beings, they develop Great Compassion. From Great Compassion the Bodhi13 Mind is born; and because of the Bodhi Mind, they accomplish Supreme, Perfect Enlightenment.


Buddhism quote 7739 |  Ch.40, translated by the Buddhist Text Translation Society.   See original Chinese

13 Bodhi: Enlightenment.(菩提:覺悟。)




A ll living beings are its roots; all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are its flowers and fruits. By benefitting all beings with the water of Great Compassion, one can realize the flowers and fruits of the Buddhas’ and Bodhisattvas’ wisdom.


Buddhism quote 7740 |  Ch.40, translated by the Buddhist Text Translation Society.   See original Chinese




W hen the mind is impartial towards all living beings, one can accomplish full and perfect Great Compassion. By using the Mind of Great Compassion to accord with living beings, one perfects the making of offerings to the Thus Come Ones.


Buddhism quote 7741 |  Ch.40, translated by the Buddhist Text Translation Society.   See original Chinese




F or those living beings who have overwhelming lustful desires, if they can constantly be mindful of Guan Shi Yin Bodhisattva14 with reverence, their desires will subside. For those with immense anger, if they can constantly be mindful of Guan Shi Yin Bodhisattva with reverence, their anger will subside. For those with deep ignorance, if they can constantly be mindful of Guan Shi Yin Bodhisattva with reverence, their ignorance will subside.


Buddhism quote 7742 |  Universal Door Chapter of the Lotus Sutra [25]   See original Chinese

14 Guan Shi Yin Bodhisattva: Also transliterated as Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva in this compilation; Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva; a bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas. (觀世音菩薩:體現一切佛的慈悲的菩薩。)




M anjushri, that comment caused the Elder’s son to make a vow: “From now until the ends of future time throughout uncountable eons I16 will use expansive expedient means to help beings in the Six Paths who are suffering for their offenses. Only when they have all been liberated, will I myself become a Buddha.” From the time he made that great vow in the presence of that Buddha until now, hundreds of thousands of nayutas of inexpressibly many eons have passed and still he is a Bodhisattva.


Buddhism quote 7743 |  Translated by the Buddhist Text Translation Society.   See original Chinese

15 此處的「我」(長者子)乃是地藏菩薩過去生中的一世。
16 “I” (Elder’s son) here refers to one of the past lives of Earth Store Bodhisattva.




G reat people resolve to cultivate the Great Vehicle, to rescue all beings, to endure hardship on behalf of others, and to lead everyone to ultimate happiness.


Buddhism quote 7744 |  Translated by the Buddhist Text Translation Society.   See original Chinese




G reat hero with great strength, great kindness, and compassion, please further search out and dispel my subtlest doubts, cause me18 to quickly attain the supreme enlightenment, and sit in Way-places in worlds of the ten directions.


Buddhism quote 7745 |  Book 3, translated by the Buddhist Text Translation Society.   See original Chinese

17 此句的「我」乃釋迦牟尼佛座下多聞第一的阿難尊者。
18 “Me” here refers to Venerable Ananda, who was endowed with the most retentive memory and was known as the Guardian of the Dharma.




A wakening aspiration for Enlightenment, believing deeply in the law of causality, chanting the Mahayana sutras and encouraging people to follow their teachings.


Buddhism quote 7746 |  Translated by Hisao Inagaki.   See original Chinese



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