Difference between revisions of "Universalism"
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In the second sense that the term universalism is used [[Buddhism]] was also the first and still one of the very few universalist religions. The [[Buddha]] once said; ‘There is no true ascetic outside' (samaṇo natthi bāhire, Dhp.254). This has sometimes been interpreted to mean that outside (bāhira) [[Buddhism]] no one can attain enlightenment. However, all it actually says is that other than the Buddha's ordained disciples no other monks or nuns qualified to be genuine ascetics, which may well have been the case at the time the [[Buddha]] said it. On another occasion someone asked the [[Buddha]] if he denied that those of other religions could become arahats, i.e. attain enlightenment. He replied: ‘I do not jealously deny that others can become arahats' (Na kho...arahattassa maccharāyāmi, D.III,7). | In the second sense that the term universalism is used [[Buddhism]] was also the first and still one of the very few universalist religions. The [[Buddha]] once said; ‘There is no true ascetic outside' (samaṇo natthi bāhire, Dhp.254). This has sometimes been interpreted to mean that outside (bāhira) [[Buddhism]] no one can attain enlightenment. However, all it actually says is that other than the Buddha's ordained disciples no other monks or nuns qualified to be genuine ascetics, which may well have been the case at the time the [[Buddha]] said it. On another occasion someone asked the [[Buddha]] if he denied that those of other religions could become arahats, i.e. attain enlightenment. He replied: ‘I do not jealously deny that others can become arahats' (Na kho...arahattassa maccharāyāmi, D.III,7). | ||
| − | The attainment of enlightenment is not dependent of winning the approval of a deity but by realizing certain natural truths, which everyone has the capacity to do. This being the case, it is conceivable that even those who have never even heard the [[Dhamma]] could become enlightened. However, we could say this | + | The attainment of enlightenment is not dependent of winning the approval of a deity but by realizing certain natural truths, which everyone has the capacity to do. This being the case, it is conceivable that even those who have never even heard the [[Dhamma]] could become enlightened. However, we could say this, openness to the Buddha's teaching makes an appreciation of it more likely. Appreciation of the Buddha's teaching would make the desire to practise it more possible. Practising the Buddha's teaching would make attaining enlightenment many times more probable. |
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
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*http://sdhammika.blogspot.com/ | *http://sdhammika.blogspot.com/ | ||
| − | [[Category: | + | [[Category:Non-dogmatism]] |
Latest revision as of 21:27, 7 November 2008
The term universalism as it pertains to religion refers to two concepts – either:
- The idea that a religion is meant for all humanity rather than just a certain race, tribe, caste or gender, or;
- The belief that everyone can be saved or can realize the goal of the religion, not just the adherents of that religion. The opposite of universalism is particularism.
In this first sense Buddhism is the oldest universalist religions. The Buddha was ‘a teacher of gods and humans' (sattā deva manussānaṃ) i.e. of all beings capable of reasoning and comprehending. Once he said that even the trees would embrace the Dhamma if they had the ability to comprehend ‘how much more so human beings?' (A.II,193). After he made his first disciples he instructed them to proclaim the Dhamma for ‘the good of the many for the happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world' (Vin.I,20). The Buddha's universalism is particularly striking when one considers that the Hinduism of the time was so strongly particularist. Hindu scriptures and law books insist that low caste and outcast people and foreigners (mleccha) are forbidden to read the scriptures, participate in sacred rites or even enter temples.
In the second sense that the term universalism is used Buddhism was also the first and still one of the very few universalist religions. The Buddha once said; ‘There is no true ascetic outside' (samaṇo natthi bāhire, Dhp.254). This has sometimes been interpreted to mean that outside (bāhira) Buddhism no one can attain enlightenment. However, all it actually says is that other than the Buddha's ordained disciples no other monks or nuns qualified to be genuine ascetics, which may well have been the case at the time the Buddha said it. On another occasion someone asked the Buddha if he denied that those of other religions could become arahats, i.e. attain enlightenment. He replied: ‘I do not jealously deny that others can become arahats' (Na kho...arahattassa maccharāyāmi, D.III,7).
The attainment of enlightenment is not dependent of winning the approval of a deity but by realizing certain natural truths, which everyone has the capacity to do. This being the case, it is conceivable that even those who have never even heard the Dhamma could become enlightened. However, we could say this, openness to the Buddha's teaching makes an appreciation of it more likely. Appreciation of the Buddha's teaching would make the desire to practise it more possible. Practising the Buddha's teaching would make attaining enlightenment many times more probable.
See also
References
- Buddhism A to Z. Ven. Dhammika, 2007.
- http://sdhammika.blogspot.com/