Why Buddhism does not have commandments
Unlike the Abrahmic religions, Buddhism does not have commandments.
There are precepts, general guidelines for a good life, but no strict laws. This is reasonable.
The following Zen story perfectly encapsulates why:
“Once upon a time, two Buddhist monks came to a riverbank. They saw a lovely girl who was unable to cross the river. One of the monks shouted to her, “Come on, little girl.” Then he lifted her in his arms and carried her to the other side of the river.
The other monk said nothing, but was puzzled and unhappy. In the evening, he could no longer restrain himself. He asked his companion, “We monks should not go near females. Why did you do so?” His companion laughed and said, “I left the girl at the riverbank. Why are you still carrying her?”
Laws and rules, if followed blindly, are empty of meaning. It is up to us to breathe meaning into them. And to know when to break them.
