(Part
Two) 21. The
Buddha's Attitude Towards Other Religious Teachers
Upali*was
a millionaire, and one of the best pupils of another religious
teacher, Nigantha Nathaputta, whose teaching differed from
that of the Buddha. Upali was also a very good debater and
was asked one day by his religious teacher to challenge the
Buddha on certain points of the law of cause and effect (karma).
After a long and complicated discussion, the Buddha was able
to convince Upali that his religious teacher's views were
wrong.
Upali
was so impressed with the Buddha's teaching that he immediately
asked to become his follower. He was surprised when the Buddha
advised him, "Upali, you are a famous person. Be sure
that you are not changing your religion just because you are
pleased with me or that you are under the influence of your
emotions. Thoroughly investigate my teaching with an open
mind before you decide to become my follower."
Hearing
the Buddha's spirit of free inquiry, Upali was even more pleased
and said, "Lord, it is wonderful that you have asked
me to think this over carefully. Other teachers would have
accepted me without hesitation, taken me through the streets
in a procession and proclaimed that the millionaire had renounced
his former religion and embraced theirs. Yes, indeed, I am
sure now, Lord please accept me as your follower."
The
Buddha agreed to accept Upali as his lay follower, but further
advised him, "Although you have now become my follower,
Upali, you should practise tolerance and compassion. Continue
to give alms to your former religious teachers as they still
depend very much on your support. You cannot just ignore them
and withdraw the support you used to give them."
The
advice the Buddha gave that day about tolerance, free inquiry
and not accepting his teachings for emotional reasons has
led to the clean record in the history of Buddhism. There
has never been any Buddhist religious fanatic who forced people
to accept the religion by torture or fear of punishment. Buddhism
spread through peaceful means mainly because of its beauty
and goodwill.
*
This is not the Venerable Upali,
a barber before he became a monk, who answered questions on
the Vinaya rules at the First Buddhist Council (see Part 2 Number 32.)
