Against priesthood

Buddha was against the institution of priesthood. He told that everyone had to work for his or her liberation. Going to temples, rivers, trees and priests does not help in acquiring religious merit or peace. According to Buddhist literature Ananda, the closest associate of Buddha, himself did not attain liberation though he was always close to Buddha and understood and expressed all that Buddha said, until after Buddha’s death he himself took to path of concentration. At the time of his death Buddha did not appoint any successor and told all those present at the time of his death that on any issue, when in doubt, they should use their own mind and their own experiences.

Buddha did not claim any divinity for himself. He did not claim to be the giver of salvation. He said that he was only to show the way. “He claimed that he was no more than the natural son of Suddhodana and Mahamaya.” (Ambedkar,d). One has to follow the path himself to reach the divinity. Buddha did not reserve a special place in his religion. Whenever he was requested to appoint a successor he would say that the Dhamma must be its own successor. For Buddha "Principle” must live by itself, and not by the authority of man”. If principle needs the authority of man, it is no principle.”