Towards the Truth

Outlines of Buddhism
Notes of the first address by Bhikkhu Dhammapāla
The most astounding statement ever made by a religious teacher,
and the most comprehensive statement of his teaching at the same
time, was made by Gotama the Buddha, when he said: “Whether a
Tathāgata arises in this world or not, still all component things are
transient, dissatisfactory and soulless.”
Not only are here summed up what we call the three characteristic
marks of which we shall speak in turn, but also is indicated a
basic difference which makes Buddhism stand, all by itself, opposed
to all other religions, namely a teaching independent of its teacher:
“Whether a Tathāgata arises or not ...” the three characteristics
remain the same. This places Buddhism and the approach to Buddhism
on a level which otherwise seems reserved for experimental
science. Here we have a religion which is not based on faith, not
on authority, not on dogma, not on revelation, but on facts, the
brutal facts of naked truth, as we see them in our daily lives. We
are not asked to believe them, but we are asked to open our eyes
and see them, because they are “visible to anyone who is intelligent”
(paccattaṁ veditabbo viññūhi).
In this religion then we are not requested to accept on the authority
of somebody else something which we cannot substantiate
for ourselves. In other words: Buddhism is a religion without faith.
This does not mean that a Buddhist accepts as real only that which
7