The Four Noble Truths are pragmatic rather than dogmatic. They suggest a course of action to be followed rather than a set of dogmas to be believed. The four truths are prescriptions for behavior rather than descriptions of reality. The Buddha compares himself to a doctor who offers a course of therapeutic treatment to heal ones ills. To embark on such a therapy is not designed to bring one any closer to the Truth but to enable ones life to flourish here and now, hopefully leaving a legacy that will continue to have beneficial repercussions after ones death. (154)
About This Quote
About Stephen Batchelor, Confession of a Buddhist Atheist
Stephen Batchelor, Confession of a Buddhist Atheist.
Themes
- Truth — Meditations on honesty, authenticity, and the search for truth