Master Jing Kong - What Is Superstition? 什麼是迷信

(English subtitles) Master Jing Kong (淨空法師, 1927-2022) talk Dharma.
Spanish caption is available too.
Subtitles:
I want to ask what superstition is. Why is there superstition?
The so-called superstition is that you believe it, but you didn't figure out the facts before you believe it. For example, if you believe in Buddhism, you don't know what Buddha is or what Buddhism is. You worship and take refuge. This is called superstition. The other one is unbelief. I don't believe it. I don't know what Buddhism is doing. That unbelief is also superstition because he didn't figure out. It's not that belief is superstition. Unbelief can be also superstition.
1:00
Then you ask, why does superstition arise? First, he has no wisdom. Second, he fails to clarify the truth, and superstition will arise. So belief and unbelief are both superstition. This probably has something to do with the personality of the person.
From my childhood, whatever I did, if I haven't figure out, I will doubt it. This is the right attitude to seek the truth. If you haven't figure it out, you shouldn't make assertions, which are prone to errors. You must clarify the facts before you believe it.
2:00
This is the attitude I always have on religion. If you look at the superficial form of common Buddhists, the devotees enshrine all kinds of gods. The public generally regard Buddhism as a low-level religion and polytheism. Besides, it's very difficult to understand. So, people are farther away from it.
On the contrary, for Islam, they have imans, preaching in the mosques.
For Christianity and Catholicism, they have priests and pastors, preaching in the churches. When I was a teenager, I listened to their sermons, and it made sense.
3:00
the pastor wanted me to be baptized. But I didn't agree. He said, “Why are you not baptized? You've listened to it for quite a while, listened for a few months. Why are you not baptized?”
I said, “I have doubts about God creating the universe and all things. Since God can make so many people, why does he make so many wicked people to slander God? I can't figure this out. If the wicked man he built still slanders God, and God is not happy. You say that God is omnipotent. That doesn't make sense. At that time, I remember I issued nearly 70 questions. The pastor couldn't answer me. He said I was the devil. So forget it. Then I never go to Christianity again.
4:00
Before I figure it out, I definitely will not believe it. I like to listen, I like to learn. But if I didn't figure it out, it's impossible for me to officially become your believer.
I was in Taiwan, at that time, I quit my job. After studying Buddhism, I gradually understood. I read a lot of scriptures. The more I read, the more interested I became. Later, I left home for practicing. I have a great influence. My friends, colleagues, and some executives all have a favorable impression of Buddhism. What's the reason? My lay surname is Xu. He said that Xu is extremely stubborn. If this person believes it, it must be reasonable.
5:00
If there is no reason, he definitely will not believe it. This has a great impact on many people. So I'm very cautious in doing things. Not sloppy, not emotional, and that naturally affect people. So the reason why superstition arise. One is lack of wisdom. The other is not clear about the truth.