Who is better: worshipping Buddha or living accordingly to Dhamma

Who is better, the one who always worships Buddha or the one who lives according to Buddha¡¦s teaching?



Vakkali, it will be of no use to you by always keeping close to me, looking at my face. You should practise concentration meditation. For indeed, only the one who sees the Dhamma sees me. One who does not see the Dhamma does not see me.



When it was made to know the disciples that Buddha would realised in four months time, most of the puthujjana bhikkhus (i.e who had not attained any of megga) felt extremely depressed and didn't know what to do. They just stayed close to the Buddha, hardly even leaving his presence. But there was a bhikkhu named Dhammarama who kept to himself and didn't go near the Buddha. His intention was to strive most ardently to attain arahatship before the passing away of Buddha. Other bhikkhus misunderstood his behaviour and said to Buddha, 'This bhikkhu does not seem to have affection or regard or reverence for you. He has been staying by himself while all the other bhikkhus are staying close to Buddha.' Dhammarama then respectfully explained to Buddha why he had not come to see the Buddha and also reported that he had been striving utmost in insight meditation practise.

The Buddha was very pleased and said, 'My son Dhammarama, you have done very well. A bhikkhu who loves and respects me should act like you. Those who made offering of flowers, scents and incense to me are not really paying homage. Only those who practise the Dhamma are the ones who truely pay homage to me.'



Driven only by fear, do men go for refuge to many places -- to hills, woods, groves, trees and shrines. Such, indeed, is no safe refuge; such is not the refuge supreme. Not by resorting to such a refuge is one released from all suffering.



Be a lamp onto yourself. Be a refuge to yourself. Don¡¦t take yourself to external refuge. Hold fast to the truth as a lamp. Hold fast as a refuge to the truth. Work at your own salvation with diligence.



Ananda, why does the order of Sangha expect this of me? I have taught the Dhamma completely. I have 'no teacher's fist' (in which certain truths are held back). You should live as islands unto yourselves, being your own refuge, seeking no other refuge. Those monks who in my time and afterwards, live thus, seeking an island and refuge in themselvesand in the Dhamma and nowhere else, Those zealous ones are truly my monks and will overcome the darkness (of rebirth).



Ananda, it might be that some of you think 'The master in instruction has vanished, now we have no master.' It should not be seen like this. What I have taught and explained to you as Dhamma and disciplines (Vinaya) will, after I pass away, be your master.

(Source ¡V Tripitika)