Bible Quote by Quentin S. Crisp
“Some Buddhists, however, never seem to get past the void, and I suppose I view this as a kind of Buddhist 'Old Testament' that I don't especially like.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Podcast episode with Quentin S. Crisp, 2020
The speaker criticizes a subset of Buddhists for clinging to a rigid, scripture‑like interpretation that feels outdated and unappealing.
In simple terms: Some Buddhists cling to a stale, scripture‑like view that the author dislikes.
Key Takeaway
Question rigid interpretations and seek lived experience.
Themes
religion
interpretation
tradition
skepticism
Mood
critical
contemplative
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal meditation practice
- interfaith dialogue
- academic study of Buddhism
- spiritual counseling
Key Concepts
Buddhist doctrine
cultural adaptation
spiritual authenticity
Questions to Reflect On
- How does textual tradition shape personal practice?
- Can a “old testament” metaphor help or hinder understanding?
A Different Perspective
Such critiques may overlook the diversity within Buddhism and the value of textual study for many.
![“If Moses is our lawgiver [Old Testament prophet given laws by God] at this time let us obey him, not in part only, but wholly, and put every Sabbath breaker, blasphemer, and adulterer to death.” quote by Gerald Heaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/328/gerald-heaney-75147_bible_if-moses-is-our-lawgiver-old-testament-p_157103.jpg)
![“If we do want to do that [ colonise space to survive, ], then vacuous materialism is not going to be enough for us.” quote by Quentin S. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8c5/quentin-s-crisp-4149_enough_if-we-do-want-to-do-that-colonise-space_40648.jpg)
![“This is the strange thing about existing in time. As [Philip] Larkin puts it, "truly, though our element is time, we are not used to the strange perspectives open at each moment of our lives" - something like that.” quote by Quentin S. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/351/quentin-s-crisp-4149_elements_this-is-the-strange-thing-about-existing_83503.jpg)
![“[william] Burroughs, incidentally, took up the slogan that we are "Here to go", which contradicts the tendency in Eastern mysticism to advocate staying where you are because there's nowhere to go anyway. I feel conflicted on this one.” quote by Quentin S. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/aa0/quentin-s-crisp-4149_burroughs_william-burroughs-incidentally-took-up-t_122911.jpg)
![“I also remember a line from a song by Smog [Bill Callahan], which seems to describe the experience of a town-dweller moving to the country: "I was raised in a pit of snakes/Blink your eyes - I was raised on cake."” quote by Quentin S. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/950/quentin-s-crisp-4149_bills_i-also-remember-a-line-from-a-song-by-sm_299534.jpg)
