My point is that the outstanding degree to which Buddhist monks express their reverence for The Buddha does not reflect my respect for him. If I were to ordain, and had to also express reverence to The Buddha to such a degree, I would feel deceitful.Vardali wrote:It's fine to pay respect but that doesn't have to include "worship" (which I understand as blind idolation) nor bowing (which appears to me a cultural/traditional form for expressing respect rather than a necessity in itself). Respect for the Buddha's achievement and his wisdom can well be expressed in speech, general behaviour etc.cooran wrote: It is simply paying respect to those worthy of respect.
If Viscid was coming from that angle, I would actually agree with him in that the Buddha does not warrant any (special) idolation/worship.
I respect Neil Armstrong for being the first man on the moon. I do not revere him. If I were to attempt a moon landing, I'd see what he did right and do the same. I wouldn't recant his name, I wouldn't bow to his image, but I would still have a great deal of respect and admiration for his accomplishment.