84000 ways to reach enlightenment

We have the same teacher.. the Guatama Buddha - Shakyamuni.

It is said that the Buddha offered 84,000 teachings during the years after his awakening. He offered 84,000 ways for students to move toward enlightenment.

It wasn't that the Buddha created 84,000 lesson plans from which to learn, but rather, it is symbolic of the fact that the Buddha acknowledged there are as many ways to move toward happiness,
goodness, love and peace (enlightenment) as there are people trying to move in that direction.

All the teachings is from the same Buddha..

And even when it is not from the Buddha, you can also learn about other religions and practice them if you prefer or like. You will also reach enlightenment.. just that you will not reach it via the Buddhist way.

For example, a good friend who is a Muslim by birth asked if he can also take refuge and learn from the Buddha, his Dharma and the Sangha too. And of course he can, and he need not give up his practice for Buddhism at all. Buddhism does not need conversation, as practicing wisdom and compassion is in all religions too.

To me, it is not just two directional views, but 84000 views.

Karma does play a part on how you look at things. If you don't have the karma to see an enlightenment being, it does not mean that such beings does not exist. Just like if you haven't seen God, can you dare conclude that God does not exist?

The best teaching is to respect all the 84000 views and ways, rather than to jump at it and say it is wrong. Once you start to criticize, because of your own lack of karma to understand or your own lack of knowledge and wisdom or exposure, then you are like a frog in a well thinking that the whole world is just your well and not that there is a bigger world outside.

Once you think you know everything, your learning of wisdom have ended. And when you think you know nothing, your wisdom is developing.

Remember, a full cup can never hold anymore fresh incoming water.

--
May you be well, happy, peaceful.

With Gratitude,
ROBIN