Calling oneself by a label doesn’t make you into that thing

Contributed by Carol Mickelsen

The name Buddhist or Buddha is just a name, a label we use to help us communicate in this dimension, since we aren’t very telepathic yet.

If a person has never heard those names, but still seeks to have compassion for all sentient beings, and seeks to do right actions and right words and all the rest, and is detached from selfish desire, except to help others, then that person is following a path that leads to “Buddha-hood,” even if the person doesn’t call it that.

Calling oneself by a label doesn’t make you into that thing. Following dogma, rules, traditions and ceremonies, doesn’t make you good, or bad either. It is how you treat others, and yourself, that is the important thing.

The Dalai Lama said that all of Buddhism can be summed up in two sentences: If possible, help others. If that is not possible, then at least do no harm.

That’s my opinion too.

Comments :
What is within the heart 🙂 everything else just a symbol! Thank you master Chow Cheong King 🙂