"Compassion is one of the principal things
that make our lives meaningful. It is the source of all
lasting happiness and joy. And it is the foundation of a
good heart, the heart of one who acts out of a desire to
help others. Through kindness, through affection, through
honesty, through truth and justice toward all others we
ensure our own benefit. This is not a matter for
complicated theorizing. It is a matter of common sense.
There is no denying that consideration of others is
worthwhile. There is no denying that our happiness is
inextricably bound up with the happiness of others. There
is no denying that if society suffers, we ourselves
suffer. Nor is there any denying that the more our hearts
and minds are afflicted with ill will, the more miserable
we become. Thus we can reject everything else: religion,
ideology, all received wisdom. But we cannot escape the
necessity of love and compassion.
This, then, is my true religion, my simple
faith. In this sense, there is no need for temple or
church, for mosque or synagogue, no need for complicated
philosophy, doctrine, or dogma. Our own heart, our own
mind, is the temple. The doctrine is compassion. Love for
others and respect for their rights and dignity, no matter
who or what they are: ultimately these are all we need. So
long as we practice these in our daily lives, then no
matter if we are learned or unlearned, whether we believe
in Buddha or God, or follow some other religion or none at
all, as long as we have compassion for others and conduct
ourselves with restraint out of a sense of responsibility,
there is no doubt we will be happy."
that make our lives meaningful. It is the source of all
lasting happiness and joy. And it is the foundation of a
good heart, the heart of one who acts out of a desire to
help others. Through kindness, through affection, through
honesty, through truth and justice toward all others we
ensure our own benefit. This is not a matter for
complicated theorizing. It is a matter of common sense.
There is no denying that consideration of others is
worthwhile. There is no denying that our happiness is
inextricably bound up with the happiness of others. There
is no denying that if society suffers, we ourselves
suffer. Nor is there any denying that the more our hearts
and minds are afflicted with ill will, the more miserable
we become. Thus we can reject everything else: religion,
ideology, all received wisdom. But we cannot escape the
necessity of love and compassion.
This, then, is my true religion, my simple
faith. In this sense, there is no need for temple or
church, for mosque or synagogue, no need for complicated
philosophy, doctrine, or dogma. Our own heart, our own
mind, is the temple. The doctrine is compassion. Love for
others and respect for their rights and dignity, no matter
who or what they are: ultimately these are all we need. So
long as we practice these in our daily lives, then no
matter if we are learned or unlearned, whether we believe
in Buddha or God, or follow some other religion or none at
all, as long as we have compassion for others and conduct
ourselves with restraint out of a sense of responsibility,
there is no doubt we will be happy."