Question asked by Terry
Dear Rinpoche, is believing in Buddhism (reincarnation, karma, enlightenment, etc.) like believing in Bigfoot or UFO’s? Sometimes it seems like there’s no way to really know the truth. I mean, philosophically, any of this stuff can be argued either way. Some people claim to be authorities, but they disagree about practically everything. If we try to figure out the answers for ourselves, we might search forever without getting anywhere. But you got somewhere, Rinpoche. How did you decide what to believe, and who to trust?
Dear Terry,
What deep questions:
1. Re UFO’s, bigfoot, etc…i just listen to the simple ppl who are eye witnesses who do not want anything and they just share what they saw. What is there not to believe?
2. In regards to Dharma, it is so hard to explain. I just believed since I was very young. No one had to convince me nor cajole me. It came from deep within and from another part of my mind I can’t explain. It will be different for anyone. The process of belief is so different for everyone. It is hard to pinpoint one single formula and method. I am sorry for that. You have to find your way, but a good start is consistency in your dharma studies…TR