Discipline of Action, Knowledge, and Renunciation of Action

I think I am beginning to understand why the divisions in this book are called "teachings" and not just chapters. They teach. A lot.

This really seems to be like the author of the book giving his point of view on what is morally correct, from the point of view of Krishna and Arjuna.

This time, Krishna did all the talking, explaining how it is very important to follow him as a leader, and how being disciplined in action and knowledge can help you understand the world. Again, this time I found many quotes that can be directly linked to modern Buddhism and what I believe in. I think I agree with most of the things that Krishna says, except that Arjuna should fight because only the body will die. That should be no reason to kill.

For example this quote:

"I have passed through many births
and so have you;
I know them all,
but you do not, Arjuna." (p. 51)

This could mean that Arjuna is illuminated in Buddhism, because it is said that when you can remember your past lives in reincarnation, you are illuminated.

Also, where it says:

"The wise say a man is learned
when his plans lack constructs of desire,
when his actions are burned
by the fire of knowledge." (p. 53)

That is also something that Buddhists say, that is that you are not ignorant anymore when your actions are driven by knowledge, and not desire; when you can decide what to do or not to do without caring about your desire or your momentary needs.

And another interesting and Buddhist-like quote would be:

"When ignorance is destroyed
by knowledge of the self,
then, like the sun, knowledge
illumines ultimate reality." (p. 61)

This is also something I believe in, which is that as long as ignorance prevails, humans won't be able to illuminate, or fully understand the world around us. Only knowledge can help us defeat ignorance, and I would say that is made possible through meditating. Other religions would have different points of view, but I thought it was interesting how it was so connected with what I currently believe.

The rest of the chapters go on about other moral teachings, and what is or isn't right.