What to believe

Originally Posted by Undertoad

The Buddha promotes critical thinking:

regardless of this quotation, Buddhism is not a belief that hinges upon rationality or reason or empiricism at all. Notice in the last few lines how the basis of one's actions becomes dependent upon whether or not that action is good or not? This is no longer a basis on reason alone, but now it encompasses emotions and feelings of the good....which leads us back to our original problem of which the quote attempts but fails to find a solution: how should I act to maximize my potential and good?

[xoxoxoBruce]

...that agrees with reason AND is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all...

Two subjective decisions, eh?

[squirell nutkin]

Originally Posted by Crotalushorridus

leads us back to our original problem of which the quote attempts but fails to find a solution: how should I act to maximize my potential and good?

The problem with that question is that there is never a single answer that is right in every single case. In fact, depending on circumstances, two different cases may require entirely opposite solutions.

Read up on "The Five Ranks of Master Tozan" where this is discussed at length.