Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 9.49
Argument and Logic Cannot Establish Their Path
“The scriptures of the Buddhist cult are chiefly based on argument and logic, and they contain nine chief principles. Because Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu defeated the Buddhists in their argument, they could not establish their cult.”
What the purport teaches
- The Buddhist scriptures are described as chiefly based on argument and logic, with nine chief principles. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu defeated their arguments, so they could not establish their path.
- Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura names Hīnāyāna and Mahāyāna as two ways of understanding Buddhist philosophy. The principles listed include an eternal creation without a creator, a false cosmic manifestation, “I am” as truth, and repeated birth and death.
- The remaining principles present Lord Buddha as the only source of truth, nirvāṇa or annihilation as the ultimate goal, and Buddha’s philosophy as the only path. They also describe the Vedas as human compositions and advise pious activities and mercy to others.
Try this today
Review the nine principles in the purport and identify which one states the ultimate goal.
Ask yourself
What does this passage prompt you to consider about relying chiefly on argument and logic?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport; the practice and question are plain words for trying the verse today.