Quote by C.S. Lewis
Miracles are (in late documents, I believe) recorded of the Buddha. But what could be more absurd than that he who came to teach us that Nature is an illusion from which we must escape should occupy himself in producing effects on the Natural level-that he who comes to wake us from the nightmare should add to the nightmare? The more we respect his teaching the less we could accept his miracles.
Summary
This quote suggests a contradiction between the concept of miracles attributed to the Buddha and his teachings. The speaker finds it absurd that the Buddha, who preached that Nature is an illusion from which humans must transcend, would engage in producing effects on the natural level. They argue that the purpose of the Buddha's teachings is to awaken people from the illusion of the world, and therefore, accepting his miracles would contradict and undermine his teachings. The more value one places on the Buddha's teachings, the less inclined they would be to believe in his miracles.
Topics
Buddhism
By C.S. Lewis
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