Coëmgenu wrote:This is like my pastor telling me to "just read" the Bible.
Exactly. I would advise you to read the Bible (which is very straightforward) rather than read commentaries on the Bible. When Jesus said: "Love neighbour as thyself", "do not murder, do not steal, do not commit adultery, do not lie, do not judge, do not condemn, forgive, give, love others as I have loved you" what more do you need to know?
Similarly, the Buddha taught the laws of dhamma are fixed in their nature (sadhatu or sabhava) independent of cognition. Things are conditioned, impermanent, unsatisfactory & not-self, even if you believe (otherwise) they are created by god, permanent, pleasurable & self.
Why would a commentator know better than the Buddha? A foundation of faith is the Dhamma was well-spoken by the Buddha.
Bhikkhus, the Dhamma well proclaimed by me thus is clear, open, evident, and free of patchwork. MN 22