Pick flowers and laugh at Buddha

Author: Liang Qichao
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
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Buddhism is vast, grand, profound, subtle, and deeply connected to human affairs, proven in practicality. It is indeed the noblest and most complete, profound, and renowned doctrine in the world. Buddhism engages in worldly endeavors with an ascetic spirit. Zen is like a mirror, illuminating the human mind; Zen is like a bright lamp, guiding the human path. Buddhism can help maintain a clear and lucid spiritual awareness, like a boundless clear sky without a single shadow. Only in this way can one enjoy life and comprehend the true essence of existence.
Why does Buddhism oppose the old Indian religion's concept of the soul? The old religion speaks of reincarnation and liberation, and Buddhism also speaks of reincarnation and liberation. However, the subject of reincarnation and liberation in the old religion belongs solely to the "self," while Buddhism mentions both the "self" and the "karma," placing greater emphasis on karma. This is a key difference. Therefore, Buddhism does not call this subject a "soul" but names it "karma," while the old religion speaks of the soul. Though different, both teach that there is a "divine self," which is the body of reincarnation and the agent of reincarnation. Buddhism considers attachment to the small self as tying oneself to liberation, so it rejects the concept of the soul and establishes the doctrine of karma.