"Furthermore, it must be mentioned that there are not petitional or intercessory prayers in Buddhism. However much we may pray to the Buddha we cannot be saved. The Buddha does not grant favors to those who pray to Him. Instead of petitional prayers there is meditation that leads to self-control, purification and enlightenment. Meditation is neither a silent reverie nor keeping the mind blank. It is an active striving. It serves as a tonic both to the heart and the mind. The Buddha not only speaks of the futility of offering prayers but also disparages a slave mentality. A Buddhist should not pray to be saved, but should rely on himself and win his freedom."
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Ch. 3 : Is It A Religion?
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Narada_Maha_Thera
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Narada Maha Thera
1898 – 1983
Narada Mahathera [Sinhalese: නාරද මහා ස්ථවිරයන් වහන්සේ], born Sumanapala Perera (14 July 1898 – 2 October 1983) was a Theravadan Buddhist monk.
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