<p>I believe this is something that all truth-seekers go through. Relating to Buddhism, this is succintly answered by Ven. Henepola Gunaratana</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Buddhism as a whole is quite different from the theological religions with which Westerners are most familiar. It is a direct entrance to a spiritual or divine realm without addressing deities or other 'agents'. Its flavor is intensely clinical, much more akin to what we would call psychology than to what we would usually call religion. It is an ever-ongoing investigation of reality, a microscopic examination of the very process of perception. Its intention is to pick apart the screen of lies and delusions through which we normally view the world, and thus to reveal the face of ultimate reality. Vipassana meditation is an ancient and elegant technique for doing just that.</p>
<p>Ven. Henepola Gunaratana, <a href="https://www.vipassana.com/meditation/mindfulness_in_plain_english.php" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Mindfulness in Plain English</a></p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-17T00:32:54.800Z
2020-01-17T00:32:54.800Z
2020-06-17T09:56:10.877Z
user279311
<p><strong>Is Buddhism a kind of truth seeking mental device?</strong></p>

<p>I think it's like <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory" rel="nofollow noreferrer">a Theory</a> or a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_of_knowledge" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Body of knowledge</a> -- but, not "just a theory" (i.e. not "just a hypothesis") -- and it's a practice.</p>

<p>Or several (theories and pratices).</p>

<p>And if you were to ask, "is a theory a kind of truth-seeking mental device" then I think I'd agree that the answer to that is more "yes" than "no".</p>

<p><strong>I was free to think what was good spiritually and no one can tell me otherwise.</strong></p>

<p>I guess that Buddhist doctrine on that subject is the Kalama sutta (or "Kesamutti Sutta") -- here <a href="https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an03/an03.065.than.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">translated</a> and/or here <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kesamutti_Sutta" rel="nofollow noreferrer">summarized on Wikipedia</a>.</p>

<p>In it the Buddha advises them to "know for themselves" whether and which qualities are skilful -- and, are blameless and "praised by the wise".</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-17T02:14:45.030Z
2020-01-17T02:14:45.030Z
ChrisW
<p>It has been my experience that Buddhism has set me from blind obedience when it comes to religious rules. I was free to think what was good spiritually and no one can tell me otherwise.</p>

<p>Is this what sages go through?</p>

<personal-practice><the-buddha><philosophy>
Is Buddhism a kind of truth seeking mental device?
# Is Buddhism a kind of truth seeking mental device?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-01-16)

It has been my experience that Buddhism has set me from blind obedience when it comes to religious rules. I was free to think what was good spiritually and no one can tell me otherwise.

Is this what sages go through?

**Tags:** personal-practice, the-buddha, philosophy


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2020-01-17. Score: 1

I believe this is something that all truth-seekers go through. Relating to Buddhism, this is succintly answered by Ven. Henepola Gunaratana

> Buddhism as a whole is quite different from the theological religions with which Westerners are most familiar. It is a direct entrance to a spiritual or divine realm without addressing deities or other 'agents'. Its flavor is intensely clinical, much more akin to what we would call psychology than to what we would usually call religion. It is an ever-ongoing investigation of reality, a microscopic examination of the very process of perception. Its intention is to pick apart the screen of lies and delusions through which we normally view the world, and thus to reveal the face of ultimate reality. Vipassana meditation is an ancient and elegant technique for doing just that.
>
> Ven. Henepola Gunaratana, [Mindfulness in Plain English](https://www.vipassana.com/meditation/mindfulness_in_plain_english.php)


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### Answer by username_2 on 2020-01-17. Score: 0

**Is Buddhism a kind of truth seeking mental device?**

I think it's like [a Theory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory) or a [Body of knowledge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_of_knowledge) -- but, not "just a theory" (i.e. not "just a hypothesis") -- and it's a practice.

Or several (theories and pratices).

And if you were to ask, "is a theory a kind of truth-seeking mental device" then I think I'd agree that the answer to that is more "yes" than "no".

**I was free to think what was good spiritually and no one can tell me otherwise.**

I guess that Buddhist doctrine on that subject is the Kalama sutta (or "Kesamutti Sutta") -- here [translated](https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an03/an03.065.than.html) and/or here [summarized on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kesamutti_Sutta).

In it the Buddha advises them to "know for themselves" whether and which qualities are skilful -- and, are blameless and "praised by the wise".


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