Tan Kah Tee was brought up in a Baptist Sunday
School in Singapore. After pre-U 1, he spent 15 years in the United
Kingdom exploring Methodist practices, Anglican rituals, Roman
Catholic Gregorian Chants and Eastern Orthodox Icons. He had even
lived with Benedictine monks. Now a Buddhist, Kah Tee will
share the insights of this journey wishing that we will learn to
appreciate the goodness in other beliefs.
Venue: [email protected]
30 Sep 07
Time: 11am
All are welcomed!
Buddhism does not prevent anyone from learning the teachings of
other religions. In fact, the Buddha encouraged His followers to
learn about other religions and to compare His Teachings with other
teachings. The Buddha says that if there are reasonable and
rational teachings in other religions, His followers are free to
respect such teachings. According to the Buddha, religion should be
left to one's own free choice. Religion is not a law, but a
disciplinary code which should be followed with understanding. To
Buddhists true religious principles are neither a divine law nor a
human law, but a natural law. Man should be allowed to choose his
religion which is in accordance with his own conviction. One has no
right to force another to accept a particular religion. Some people
surrender their religion for the sake of love, without a proper
understanding of their partner's religion. Religion should not be
changed to suit man's emotions and human weaknesses. One must think
very carefully before changing one's religion. Religion is not a
subject for bargaining; one should not change one's religion for
personal, material gains. Religion is to be used for spiritual
development and for self-salvation.
Quotes from Asoka
Pillar:
One
should not honour only one's own religion and condemn the religion
of others, but one should honour others' religions for this or that
reason. In so doing, one helps one's own religion to grow and
renders service to the religions of others too. In acting otherwise
one digs the grave of one's own religion and also does harm to
other religions. Whosoever honours his own religion and condemns
other religions, does so indeed through devotion to his own
religion, thinking, ` I will glorify my own religion. ' But on the
contrary, in so doing he injures his own religion more gravely, so
concord is good. Let all listen, and be willing to listen to the
doctrines professed by others
