Scriptures vs. Conscience

世間宗派汗牛充棟然余未嘗皈依其一 非以無神自處乃以身之所歷心之所觀足資憑信 不欲受他人經籍傳述轉寫神佛之形象而自棄真知耳 佛典浩瀚傳譯歷劫 往往因時制宜加以增益 是以經中或見嚴辭怖語非佛陀本願 乃後世弟子為警凡夫權巧施設耳 佛陀真旨至簡至慈惟在二事一曰止惡不作一曰與樂安寧 若有文辭教人再令受害眾生重遭苦報則決非佛陀本懷 佛門亦自分權實 權教者權巧方便暫攝愚迷 實教者直顯真理 如「一切眾生皆具佛性」故經文若與慈悲相違則當信己良知不可執著於字句 夫慈悲者佛法之體 良知者即佛心之光 若能隨真慈悲而行 雖文句有未圓已是隨順如來正意矣

良知為吾宗

經典可啟導儀式亦可感人 然皆不逾清明良知之聲 自古諸教興起本為禁暴止惡安慰哀痛導引迷途 然久而傳習 文辭化為條規條規凝為教條教條往往背離慈悲 余之良知不繫廟宇不受成法 見無辜受苦則心聲長鳴 觀不義加害則正念震響 凡教典或為殘害開脫者 良知必拒 凡經卷有所未言者 良知自語 眾生皆求安寧 群命皆當有尊 循良知非斥古聖之慧乃擇其精要而存之 凡真覺者凡聖師皆欲啟此內在之羅盤 良知者活經也 無文而不可滅 普遍而貼切 余遂曰「良知即吾宗」不以怖懼為縛而以慈悲為繩 不以盲從為命而以責任為道 守此良知則近於佛之微笑基督之懷抱道家之和諧 近於宗教本懷之心矣

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There are countless religions across the world, yet I have joined none. This is not because I am an atheist, but because I have chosen to rely on my own lived experiences and observations, rather than accept secondhand portrayals of God handed down through books and intermediaries.

For example, it is important to recognize that not everything recorded in Buddhist scriptures necessarily conveys the Buddha’s original intent. Over centuries, texts were translated, expanded, and adapted to different cultures and audiences. As a result, some passages emphasize fear or punishment, not because the Buddha wished to inflict further suffering, but because later transmitters sought to warn and restrain ordinary people.

The Buddha’s true teaching is far simpler and more compassionate. At its core, it rests on two principles: to cease doing harm and to bring about peace and happiness. Any passage that contradicts this spirit, by suggesting that beings already victimized must suffer yet again, cannot reflect the heart of the Buddha’s message.

Buddhist tradition itself acknowledges the difference between “expedient” teachings (spoken as a temporary measure to guide the fearful) and “ultimate” teachings (which reveal the truth directly, such as the universal Buddha-nature of all beings). When a scripture appears to conflict with our deepest sense of compassion, it is wisdom, not heresy, to trust the voice of conscience.

For compassion is not outside of Buddhism; it is its very essence. To follow one’s genuine compassion is already to follow the living intention of the Buddha, even if the words of certain texts fall short.

Conscience is My Religion

Scriptures may guide, rituals may inspire, but neither can stand above the voice of a clear conscience. Across traditions and centuries, religions have risen with noble intent: to restrain cruelty, to console the grieving, to guide the lost. Yet in their transmission, words harden into rules, rules ossify into dogma, and dogma often drifts away from compassion.

My conscience does not dwell in temples nor submit to rigid codes. It speaks when I see an innocent creature suffer; it resounds when I feel injustice wound the vulnerable. Where doctrine would excuse the torment of the weak, conscience refuses. Where scriptures are silent, conscience reminds me: all beings yearn for peace, all lives deserve dignity.

To follow conscience is not to reject wisdom from the past, but to discern its essence. Every true sage, every enlightened teacher, sought only to awaken this inner compass. Conscience is the living scripture, unwritten yet undeniable, both universal and intimate.

Thus I say: Conscience is my religion. It binds me not by fear but by compassion; it commands not blind obedience but living responsibility. And in honouring conscience, I believe I am closer to the Buddha’s smile, the Christ’s embrace, the harmony of the Way — closer to the heart of what religion was always meant to be.