When Buddha first spoke to others the knowledge gained through his enlightenment, the first principle he gave was: “There is suffering.” This is the fundamental fact of relative existence. What did Buddha then say about ending suffering?
In the East the criterion is very different than in the West. If a thing spiritually harms the individual then it is wrong; if something spiritually benefits the individual then it is right.
It is not just our mistaken perceptions that prevent our escape from bondage. Rather, they give rise to another ingredient in the stew of our samsaric misery: wrong intention. Our whole purpose is wrong. What should it be?
It is useless to be a spiritual busybody, a good preacher, teacher, author and debater when there is no inner realization. Learn the traits of spiritual busybodies here.
There are a lot of jokes about people who cannot see correctly–the Mr. Magoo films and television programs are a prime example. But in real life it is no joke, and in the more real life of the spirit it is even less so.
“The man who has freed himself of stains and has found peace of mind in an upright life, possessing self-restraint and integrity, he is indeed worthy of the dyed robe” –Buddha