An anthropologist once questioned an Eskimo shaman about his tribe's belief system.
After putting up with the anthropologist's questions for a while, the shaman finally told him,
"Look. We don't believe. We fear."
('Beyond Coping' - A study guide on Aging, Illness, Death, and Separation prepared by Thanissaro Bhikkhu)
In Buddhism, The Buddha is never afraid to dwell on topics like aging, suffering, illness, disease, death and separation,
Simply because His Teachings brings about a total release from them.
As a matter of fact, He frequently taught that these are useful objects / subjects for contemplation.
That is why, apart from the 10 reasons which I list down in 'Why Buddhism' (http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2009/08/why-buddhism-buddhas-teachings.html),
Another obvious reason why I like about Buddhism/Buddha's Teachings is the Fear Factor.
Many of the religions/faiths etc with, and which emphasize on the belief in a supreme Being/Creator/God, fear the wrath of such a being.
For Buddhism/Buddha's Teachings,
The Buddha says,
"Have no fear";
"Fear not";
"Be fearless";
"Wheresoever fear arises, it arises in the minds of the fool, NOT in that of the Wise man."
and
"From craving springs grief,
From craving springs fear.
For him who is wholly free from craving,
There's no grief,
Much less fear."
"I see that though the notion of God contains sublime moral strands, it also has certain implications that are extremely dangerous to humans as well as to the other beings on this planet.
One major threat to humanity is the blindfold called 'authority' imposed on humans by the concept of God.
All theistic religions consider authority as ultimate and sacred.
It was this danger that the Buddha was pointing at in The Kalama Sutta.
At the moment, human individuality and freedom are seriously threatened by various forms of authorities.
Various 'authorities' have been trying to make 'you' a follower.
On top of all our 'traditional' authorities, a new form of authority has emerged in the name of 'science'.
And lately, the mushrooming new religions and the menace of the Gurus have become live threats to the individual's human freedom and dignity."
- Dr G Dharmasiri
"Shame and fear is there only when one commits evil, does wrong things.
For him who is wholly restrained,
Totally morally upright, and completely self-subdued,
There's no shame;
Much less fear."
"The only thing we should all be afraid of in this world,
Is NOT in death;
Nor in God/Gods, or a Supreme Creator;
BUT in doing wrong/evil."
"Do not follow a life of evil;
Do not live heedlessly;
Do not have false views;
Do not value worldly things.
( In this way, one can be free of suffering.)"
- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 167
"A man should live righteously and NOT wrongly.
Such a man is happy in this world and in the next."
- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 169
"Beings who see fear in what is not to be feared,
And see no fear in the fearsome,
Embrace false views and go to a woeful state."
- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 317
"In one whose fetters are ended,
ALL fears are overcome."
- Venerable Adhimutta, Theragatha XVI.1
"The craving of the person addicted to careless living
Grows like a creeper.
He jumps from life to life
Like a monkey in the forest looking for fruit."
- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 334
"The evil done by oneself,
Arising in oneself,
Destroys the foolish one,
Just as a diamond grinds a hard gem."
- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 161
