This quote by Ajahn Chah surprises me because it clearly challenges most other religions such as Christianity which says that Jesus is God. It is an overt 'slap in the face' to Christians and pretty much destroys their whole premise of faith at it's very core and foundations. Buddhism always taught tolerance and acceptance of other religions, so this quote is rather bold and even controversial to many other God believing religions. I agree with his focus on personal responsibility for our lives, but has he or could he have offended alot of other non-buddhists with such a clear and logical statement on faith? I would suppose that many Christian theologians, Jewish rabbis and Islamic fundamentalists would be up in arms against this strong Buddhist assertion. The Christian message for instance clearly teaches to rely on God's will and not one's own. So therefore this statement posits that nearly all other religions are wrong and Buddhism is the correct, right way. At least this is how I plainly see it. Perhaps Buddhists must tolerate other religions in order to have peace, although knowing in our hearts that most Christians, Jews, and Muslims are gravely delusional and misguided. Yet I understand the primary focus of our practice is always within, and not so without.