Why Be A Lapsed ‘Buddhist’? The Daily Enlightenment Buddhist Inspirations (since 1997)

只看好样子…
Only looking at good examples…

– 净土宗十三祖印光大师
– Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch
Great Master Yìnguāng

Someone shared a testimonial on how a person gave up Buddhism. The below was written as a ‘standard response’, without going through all of it. Why listen to much of what obviously are wrong ideas, to confuse oneself? Life is already too short, to not focus on the pure Dharma directly. The more we learn and practise the Buddha’s teachings well, the more will we readily see what went wrong with lapsed ‘Buddhists’. With the Buddha’s personal example, Buddhism strongly encourages our active enquiry to clear all doubts. This must be what was not done by the lapsed…

‘Thank you (?) for sharing the case of how a so-called “Buddhist” decided to change his faith. However, from listening to even just a little of it, and with objective perspective, as an active learning and practising Buddhist, what he shared is full of mistakes in understanding. Thus, it is not a good idea at all, to circulate such a testimonial, that unfairly and severely misrepresents Buddhism. It is tantamount to slander, that can stir inter-religious disharmony – fake “news” that is harmful to society. In Buddhism, such speech creates much negative karma, that is hard to make amends for, just like spilled water is difficult to retrieve.

His change of faith as a non-expert “Buddhist” is no wonder at all, as he grossly assumed the Buddha’s teachings let him down, while it (Buddha’s teachings) continues to bring light to millions of sincere and diligent Buddhists as we speak. He should have learnt and practised Buddhism better, as he was never a proper Buddhist in the first place, thus not at all qualified to “denounce” Buddhism. Spiritual victory is with delusion transformed to wisdom, while the very deluded think they are already wise. May he awaken from this grave mistake. May all have deeper understanding, before commenting on any faith openly. May all be well and happy.’