The laity are very important in Buddhism, for they are the supporting members
of the Buddhist community. They build the temples and monasteries and give
offerings of food, robes, bedding, and medicine to the monks and nuns. This
enables the Sangha to carry on the Buddha's work. In this way the Sangha and
laity benefit each other and together keep the Dharma alive.
In Buddhism, it is also important to support the poor and needy. Giving to
support religious people, however, is considered a very meritorious deed. The
Buddha not only encouraged giving to Buddhists, but to any spiritual person who
is sincere.
The Buddha taught his disciples to be tolerant of other religions. For
example, when one lights a candle from the flame of another candle, the flame of
the first candle does not lose its light. Instead, the two lights glow more
brightly together. It is the same with the great religions of the world.
Whether one is a member of the Sangha or a lay person, the ideal is to
practice Buddhism for the sake of all.
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