We can reject everything
else: religion, ideology, all received wisdom. But we cannot escape the
necessity of love and compassion.... This, then, is my true religion, my
simple faith. In this sense, there is no need for temple or church, for
mosque or synagogue, no need for complicated philosophy, doctrine or dogma.
Our own heart, our own mind, is the temple. The doctrine is compassion. Love
for others and respect for their rights and dignity, no matter who or what
they are: ultimately these are all we need. So long as we practice these in
our daily lives, then no matter if we are learned or unlearned, whether we
believe in Buddha or God, or follow some other religion or none at all, as
long as we have compassion for others and conduct ourselves with restraint
out of a sense of responsibility, there is no doubt we will be
happy.
