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| | | Book Name: The Discipline of Transcendence, Vol 3 | Previous Next | |
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how is it possible? This aeroplane has taken off, it is flying perfectly well; the engines are humming. Everything is a proof that there is a pilot."
If somebody proves it, you relax again into your chair. You close your eyes, you start dreaming again -- you can fall asleep. The pilot is there, you need not worry.
Buddha says: The pilot exists not -- it is a human creation. Man has created God in his own image. It is man's invention; God is not a discovery, it is an invention. And God is not the truth -- it is the greatest lie there is.
That's why I say Buddhism is not a religion in the ordinary sense of the term. A God less religion -- can you imagine? When for the first time Western scholars became aware of Buddhism, they were shocked. They could not comprehend that a religion can exist -- and without God! They had known only Judaism, Christianity and Islam. All these three religions are in a way very immature compared to Buddhism.
Buddhism is religion come of age. Buddhism is the religion of a mature mind. Buddhism is not childish at all -- and it doesn't help any childish desires in you. It is very MERCILESS. Let me repeat it: There has never been a man more compassionate than Buddha, but his religion is merciless.
In fact, in that mercilessness he is showing his compassion. He will not allow you to cling to any lie. Howsoever consoling, a lie is a lie. And those who have given you the lie, they are not friends to you, they are enemies -- because under the impact of the lie you will live a life full of lies.
The truth has to be brought to you, howsoever hard, howsoever shattering, howsoever shocking. Even if you are annihilated by the impact of the truth it is good.
Buddha says: The truth is that man's religions are man's inventions. You are in a dark night surrounded by alien forces. You need someone to hang on to, someone to cling to.
And everything that you can see is changing -- your father will die one day and you will be left alone, your mother will die one day and you will be left alone, and you will be an orphan. And from the very childhood you have been accustomed to having a father to protect
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