March 29, 2008 - Buddhism and Barack Obama and Rev. Wright

Over 2,500 years ago, the Buddha warned repeatedly against the blind acceptance of anyone’s spiritual remarks or the actions of a particular faith. He advocated reason, logic and evaluation of a faith, doctrine or even sentiment, and to apply critical thinking skills to what was said. Then, the Buddha said, and only then should you accept it or reject it.

Modernly, the Dalai Lama has repeated this concept and has even used it to question the Buddha’s comments, “We cannot accept a teaching literally simply because it has been taught by the Buddha; we have to examine whether it is contradicted by reason or not. If it does not stand up to reason, we cannot accept literally.”

To hold someone responsible for what his faith leader says or does is illogical and unreasonable. You are responsible for your own actions or lack of action. If your faith leader advocates hatred or violence you have the choice to accept or reject it. The responsibility is yours.

The “guilt by association” pejorative is only valid when you support, defend, and advocate a line of reasoning shared by others. Sen. Obama is in no way responsible for the remarks or actions of his faith leader. The true question is whether Sen. Obama accepts or rejects his pastor’s assertions. Obama is responsible for his own actions or lack of action as we all are.