: He taught that even his own teachings are like a raft used to cross a turbulent river. Once you reach the other shore, you must let the raft go; you do not carry it on your back forever.
The Buddhist philosophical tradition is vast, internally diverse, and comprises texts written in a variety of canonical languages. Amazon.com
Sumedha's story illustrates , a central pillar of this philosophy: Buddhist Philosophy - Essential Readings - Khamkoo
: The fisherman asked what he would gain by losing his prize. The Buddha replied that by releasing the fish, he would "free himself from greed and attachment," a reward far greater than any gold.
Ages ago, long before he was known as the Buddha, a young hermit named lay in the mud to serve as a living bridge for a passing Buddha. In that moment of profound humility, he did not merely wish for his own peace; he made a mighty resolve . While he could have crossed the "ocean of existence" alone into Nirvana, he chose instead to endure countless lifetimes of trial so he might eventually become a Buddha and redeem all of humanity. : He taught that even his own teachings
: The path to enlightenment is not forced; it is a choice born from individual meditation on the nature of suffering.
To illustrate the danger of attachment, the Buddha often told stories like that of the . When a fisherman caught a beautiful fish to sell for a high price, the Buddha asked him to release it. Amazon
The philosophy concludes that the "Pure Land" is not a far-off place, but a state of mind. When the heart becomes pure, the world reveals itself as pure here and now.