Self-Emancipation: Buddha's Philosophy on Self-Reliance

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‘One is one’s own refuge, who else could be the refuge?’ said Buddha. This section in the article of Buddhist Attitude of Mind explains Buddhas stand point about what does taking refuge really mean, and where and in whom people have to find their shelter. Based on this section, Buddha admonished his disciples to ‘be and find refuge only in themselves’, and never to seek refuge in or help from anybody else. He encouraged and stimulated each person to develop himself and work out his own emancipation. According to Buddha, only a person has the power to liberate himself from all bondage through his personal effort and intelligence. The Buddha says: ‘You should do your work, for the Tathagatas only teach the way.’ The Buddha is called a ‘saviour’, …show more content…

Both Buddha and Gyatso have a common conception that there are many ways of taking refuge. Gyatso gives several examples, such as: taking refuge in our parents, in peer group, and in individuals. For instance, I am still taking refuge in my parents. I am totally relied on my mom. Maybe, because first of all she is my mom, and second I am finding in her that support that I cannot find in somebody else. I do not know how to call this connection… My mom is my greatest supporter, biggest fan, and my best friend. However, I know that one day I will not have that kind of support anymore. Gyatso says that as people grew older, they found that their parents cannot longer remove their sense of loneliness, and that they are seem to be agents of our suffering. I am not agree with this point because not all grown people have misunderstandings with their parents. On the contrary, some of grown children even more concerned about their moms and dads. They show more love, care, and respectfulness now, than they did it when they were young. Also, it is not true that our parents are causes of all sufferings, misfortunes, and problems. In my opinion, we make ourselves to suffer, sophisticate and complicate our lives. Gyatso says that when people get older they start having a

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