Narada Maha Thera quotes

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Narada Maha Thera

Birthdate: 14. July 1898
Date of death: 2. October 1983

Narada Mahathera , born Sumanapala Perera was a Theravadan Buddhist monk and translator, the Superior of Vajiraramaya in Colombo. He was a popular figure in his native country, Sri Lanka, and beyond. Wikipedia

Photo: Unknown author, Scanned from "Budu Sasuna Ladiyo" (1986-Book) By Upali Salgado - ISBN 955-552-003-8 Page 67 / Public domain

Quotes Narada Maha Thera

„Ordinarily the enjoyment of sensual pleasures is the highest and only happiness of the average man. There is no doubt a kind of momentary happiness in the anticipation, gratification and retrospection of such fleeting material pleasures, but they are illusive and temporary. According to the Buddha non-attachment is a greater bliss.“

— Narada Maha Thera

Buddhism in a Nutshell

Pleasure, Happiness

„The Buddha Dhamma is not based on the fear of the unknown, but is founded on the bedrock of facts which can be tested by ourselves and verified by experience. Buddhism is, therefore rational and intensely practical.Such a rational and practical system cannot contain mysteries or esoteric doctrines. Blind faith, therefore, is foreign to Buddhism. Where there is no blind faith there cannot be any coercion or persecution or fanaticism. To the unique credit of Buddhism it must be said that throughout its peaceful march of 2500 years no drop of blood was shed in the name of the Buddha, no mighty monarch wielded his powerful sword to propagate the Dhamma, and no conversion was made either by force or by repulsive methods. Yet, the Buddha was the first and the greatest missionary that lived on earth.“

— Narada Maha Thera

Buddhism in a Nutshell

Fear, Peace, Faith

„It is not within the power of a Buddha to wash away the impurities of others. One could neither purify nor defile another.The Buddha, as Teacher, instructs us, but we ourselves are directly responsible for our purification.“

— Narada Maha Thera

Buddhism in a Nutshell

Teachers

„It should be mentioned that any external supernatural agency plays no part whatever in the moulding of the character of a Buddhist. In Buddhism there is no one to reward or punish. Pain or happiness are the inevitable results of one's actions. The question of incurring the pleasure or displeasure of a God does not enter the mind of a Buddhist. Neither hope of reward nor fear of punishment acts as an incentive to him to do good or to refrain from evil.“

— Narada Maha Thera

Buddhism in a Nutshell

God, Pain, Pleasure, Fear

„Buddhism … is neither [a philosophy nor] a religion in the sense in which that word is commonly understood, for it is not "a system of faith and worship owing any allegiance to a supernatural being."“

— Narada Maha Thera

Buddhism in a Nutshell

Faith, Religion, Sense

„Buddhism does not demand blind faith from its adherents. Here mere belief is dethroned and is substituted by confidence based on knowledge, which, in Pali, is known as Saddha. The confidence placed by a follower on the Buddha is like that of a sick person in a noted physician, or a student in his teacher.“

— Narada Maha Thera

Buddhism in a Nutshell

Faith, Confidence, Knowledge, Teachers

„Furthermore, it must be mentioned that there are not petitional or intercessory prayers in Buddhism. However much we may pray to the Buddha we cannot be saved. The Buddha does not grant favors to those who pray to Him. Instead of petitional prayers there is meditation that leads to self-control, purification and enlightenment. Meditation is neither a silent reverie nor keeping the mind blank. It is an active striving. It serves as a tonic both to the heart and the mind. The Buddha not only speaks of the futility of offering prayers but also disparages a slave mentality. A Buddhist should not pray to be saved, but should rely on himself and win his freedom.“

— Narada Maha Thera

Buddhism in a Nutshell

Freedom, Heart

„Buddhism appeals more to the intellect than to the emotion. It is concerned more with the character of the devotees than with their numerical strength.“

— Narada Maha Thera

Buddhism in a Nutshell

„Aldous Huxley writes: "Alone of all the great world religions Buddhism made its way without persecution censorship or inquisition." Lord Russell remarks: "Of the great religions of history, I prefer Buddhism, especially in its earliest forms; because it has had the smallest element of persecution."In the name of Buddhism no altar was reddened with the blood of a Hypatia, no Bruno was burnt alive.“

— Narada Maha Thera

Buddhism in a Nutshell

World, Religion, Way, History

„Buddhism cannot, therefore, strictly be called a religion because it is neither a system of faith and worship, nor "the outward act or form by which men indicate their recognition of the existence of a God or gods having power over their own destiny to whom obedience, service, and honor are due."“

— Narada Maha Thera

Buddhism in a Nutshell

Men, God, Faith, Religion

„Although a Buddhist seeks refuge in the Buddha, he does not make any self-surrender. Nor does a Buddhist sacrifice his freedom of thought by becoming a follower of the Buddha. He can exercise his own free will and develop his knowledge even to the extent of becoming a Buddha himself.“

— Narada Maha Thera

Buddhism in a Nutshell

Exercises, Knowledge, Freedom

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