Reply #29: Not really dogma, as in written down..........

[socialist_n_TN]

strictures that MUST be believed in order to BE a Buddhist. They don't call Jews, Christians, and Muslims Peoples of the BOOK for nothing. Those written down strictures are what most people (OK, me anyway :)) consider dogma.

Buddhists believe that the UNIVERSE is set up with certain immutable spiritual laws. If you follow those laws, you're on the path to enlightenment and happiness/contentment in this life. If not, you're not. Compassion is one of those immutable laws. But there's a lot of flexibility even in compassion. Sometimes mindfully killing somebody can be the most compassionate thing you could do for THEM. But it might be wrong for YOU. In Buddhism, it's all tied in together, but it's all done mindfully. Each individual makes his own way mindfully, not dogmatically (by the Book).