Skip to content
quotesby

To study Buddhism and then use it as a weapon in order to criticize others' theories or ideologies is wrong. The very purpose of religion is to control yourself, not to criticize others. Rather, we must criticize ourselves. How much am I doing about my anger? About my attachment, about my hatred, about my pride, my jealousy? These are the things which we must check in daily life with the knowledge of the Buddhist teachings.

Tenzin Gyatso#63

ReligionHumilityCriticismSelf controlSelf improvement

About this quote

What does it mean?
Religion should be used for self-control and self-critique, not as a weapon to criticize others.
In plain terms
Use faith to fix yourself, not to attack others' views.
What can you take from it?
Religion is for self-improvement, not criticism.

Where it applies

  • religious practice
  • conflict

Putting it to work

  • check your anger
  • critique yourself

Questions to consider

  • How do you use your beliefs?
  • What do you critique in yourself?

Another view

Accountability often requires pointing out others' faults.

More from Tenzin Gyatso

  1. This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kin…

    Permalink to quote #62
  2. As Buddhists, while we practice our own teaching, we must respect other faiths, Christianity, Judaism and so forth. We must recognize and appreciate their cont…

    Permalink to quote #64
  3. Today we face many problems. Some are created essentially by ourselves based on divisions due to ideology, religion, race, economic status, or other factors. T…

    Permalink to quote #61

Related quotes

  1. To study Buddhism and then use it as a weapon in order to criticize others' theories or ideologies is wrong. The very purpose of religion is to control yoursel…

    Tenzin Gyatso (Dalai Lama)Tenzin Gyatso (Dalai Lama) quote #63
  2. Si hubiera estado presente en la Creacion, habria dado algunas indicaciones utiles.

    Alfonso X of CastileAlfonso X of Castile quote #1
  3. [T]he Jewish people were driven by their drunkenness and plumpness to the ultimate evil; they kicked about, they failed to accept the yoke of Christ, nor did t…

    John ChrysostomJohn Chrysostom quote #1