Dhammic Life

As Buddhists, perhaps we should be aware that Buddhism, like Islam, is NOT based on the idea of the respective founders i.e Sidharta Gautama & Muhammad.While what the Buddha expounded was Dhamma [TRUTH, which is not confined to any labels,which is UNIVERSAL, independent of the Buddha's existance]Muhammad claims to have reemphasize on the ORIGINAL MONOTHEISTIC IDEA [Tauheed],as taught by Abraham & the prophets.He claims the followers have strayed from the ORIGINAL COMMANDMENTS, and he is merely expounding it again. Now we can see two masters, not claiming to be divine, they are here just to 'remind' humanity of the ORIGINAL GOOD.

While what the Buddha taught was Dhamma [Truth,without any -isms attached to it], what Muhammad taught is merely Islam [submission to God - also without any -isms attached].

The Buddhist monastic practise [as in the Patimokha] is observed as long as one dons the robe. The mirror practise in Islam is observed during the Islamic pilgrimage[the Haj] when there is total abstinance of sexual activity.

There exist among us,those who take the 'Words from the Teacher' only, while not touching the commentories/hadiths at all for such works are believed to have come from a 'not that perfect' source. It is also due to the view that the 'Words from the Teacher'[as in Tipitaka/Quran] is THE PERFECT SAY, and is THE COMPLETE GUIDE to the practitioners. Having another supplementary text is akin to saying The Teacher [as in Buddha/Muhammad] is imperfect, passing down incomplete guide. This is one group.

Another view holds that the commentories/hadiths sheds 'more' light to certain teachings.Hence,they are considered as a supplementory to the existing 'Words from the teacher' scripture. In the Theravada tradition,we can compare the teaching of some forest monks like Ajahn Buddhadassa, who's a good example of 'Teacher's Word Only',making a careful distinction it and later works.Check out his work on the Paticca Samupada.In the Islamic tradition, there's this Quran Only group.