Buddhism Quote by Marcelo Ramos Motta
““Zen Buddhism, for example, as practiced by Suzuki, the excellent Japanese mystic, has nothing to do with the superstitious and predjudiced Buddhism that infested Asia for centuries. Sufism, as boasted by the subtle Gurdjeff, totally differs from the Islamism that shouts death to the “infidels.” The doctrine of Vivekananda, inspired by his master Ramakrishna, is nothing like the Hinduism that suffocated India for centures of superstious and stupid passivity; the noble mysticism of Martin Buber, the Jewish philosopher, is nothing like the bloody cultural narrowness and tribal elitism of the mosaic orthodoxy.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Comparative Mysticism, 1995
The quote contrasts authentic mysticism with distorted, institutionalized versions of religions, emphasizing that true spiritual insight differs from dogmatic or violent interpretations.
In simple terms: True mysticism differs from corrupted religious forms.
Key Takeaway
Seek authentic spiritual teachings.
Themes
religion
authenticity
misinterpretation
spirituality
culture
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal study
- interfaith dialogue
- academic research
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
mysticism
dogma
cultural distortion
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines authentic mysticism?
- How can we recognize distortion in religious practice?
A Different Perspective
Authentic mysticism can be hard to find amid dominant traditions.
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