Don’t Worship the Buddha!

In Asia, the idea of showing respect for people is

very important, especially in public.

At the same time, having lived in Asia for the last 18

years, this writer has seen time and time again that

the respect shown in public is frequently quite

different from what is said, done and shown in

private.

According to the dictionary, respect means to show a

good opinion or admiration for another because or

their ideas, opinions and actions. Many times the

respect shown to others in Asian cultures is not

because of this, but because of one’s power,

influence, wealth or political or social position.

The idea of worshipping another or something is built

on the idea of loving or admiring another, generally

without being able to see their weaknesses or faults.

In Asia, the idea of respecting and worshipping the

Buddha is something that is very important to those

who think of themselves as Buddhists.

Sometimes in Asia we may be asked a question that

paraphrases the Christian idea and question of “Don’t

you believe in Jesus”?, it being “Don’t you worship

the Buddha”?

It does seem that in both Christianity and Buddhism,

this idea of believing in, respecting and worshipping

the founder of the path is an important one.

We may go to church once a week, but in private be

very unchristian, just as we may give offerings to the

monk and visit a Buddhist temple once in a while, but

in private be very unable to understand or implement

the Buddhist teachings.

Sometimes westerners who are new to Asia or visit a

temple may be confused about the outward showing of

respect and the worshipping of the Buddhist image(s)

that takes place.

The are likely to connote this as being similar to the worshiping of Jesus on the cross.

And we find among both Christian and Buddhist an

interest in wearing a necklace around the neck the has

either a cross on it or an image of the Buddha.

Like many things in life, the outward showing of

respect to these religious leaders and founders can be something that preoccupies more of our energy and

 time then it should.

Some Buddhist writers and historians tell us that the

Buddha did not want any kind of images or statues

built to his teachings or memory.

Perhaps in both Christianity and Buddhism, there is

too much attention to outward expressions of respect

and worship, and not always enough real understanding

and practice of what these people that we respect and

worship so much were teaching us.

In the various teachings of Buddhism and Christianity,

we are also instructed to not be too outwardly loving

and admiring of the images of these teachers and told

that many times, such a display of outward affection

may be nothing more then something done to impress

another.

Perhaps what those of us who profess an interest in

and see the need of the teachings of these great men

is to learn and apply what they taught us, instead of worshipping their images and statues in various churches,

 temples and places throughout the world.

©2004 John C. Kimbrough

(John lives and teaches in Bangkok, Thailand. He can

be reached at johnckimbrough@yahoo.com)