A. It may be handled as an instructional self-discipline. Nevertheless, Buddhism as a topic of academy is one factor and Buddhism as a faith is one other. The previous is predicated on literature, however the latter on apply. The latter pursues enlightenment, however I’ve by no means heard {that a} Buddhist scholar has attained enlightenment.
Let me provide a glimpse into the distinction between Buddhism and philosophy by evaluating Buddhist masters with philosophers. Philosophers appear to stick to their distinctive opinions which can be completely different from these of their predecessors, or their contemporaries, though generally being partially in accord with them. They pursue new thought while disputing, or negating, or discovering fault with present theories by others.
Nevertheless, all Buddhist masters who’ve realised the true-Self, or the Buddha that they imagine is the essence of all the pieces be in agreement regarding it all through historical past; what it’s like and what its traits are, although their methods of describing and expressing it are various from one another. Masters who’ve realised the true-Self can inform whether or not an individual is enlightened or not by testing him with koans, Zen questions in the identical manner as elementary college lecturers check their college students with arithmetic inquiries to see whether or not they have mastered arithmetic guidelines.
Accordingly, Buddhism as a faith is sort of completely different from philosophy.
©Boo Ahm
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