The old masters said if you met another Buddha on the…
““The old masters said if you met another Buddha on the road, you should kill him. All reality is an illusion: if you think you've found the incarnation of enlightenment, destroy that illusion on the spot. But the real world is real. Therefore, if you meet a bandit on the road, you should kill him. Anyone who seeks to make a bad world worse is a monster and an alien.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
True enlightenment requires destroying false idols, but practical morality demands confronting tangible threats and protecting society.
In simple terms: Kill false idols, but also stop real dangers.
Key Takeaway
Distinguish spiritual insight from real‑world action.
Themes
enlightenment
morality
violence
illusion
protection
Mood
provocative
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- confronting harmful ideologies
- self‑defense
- protecting community
- rejecting harmful deception
Key Concepts
Buddhist paradox
ethical pragmatism
dualism
Questions to Reflect On
- When is force justified?
- How to discern illusion from reality?
A Different Perspective
Violence can be misused; ethical lines blur.