Something I remember reading about when I was a teen, so many years ago - and it applies now

[The Straight Story]

Back when I was younger I was reading a lot of books on Tibetan Buddhism (among other things) and came across something which still stands out to me today.

Forgive me for paraphrasing it all, but the lesson is the same:

A young man was traveling with his master and they came to a lake, the lake of many (spirit) flags (there is a lake there like this actually, beautiful place). The young man inquired about it all - how is it these people believe in the spirit of the lakes, when such, according to our teachings, do not exist? The student further wondered why his master and others paid homage to said spirits when they traveled there to trade.

"How is it you say they do not exist?" he asked his student.

"Well, our teachings do not mention such spirits, and it does not fit with the teachings of the Buddha." he replied.

The master smiled and replied to his young student "Indeed they do exist, for they exert an influence on the people of the lake. If you wish to trade with the people here you must respect them and their beliefs, because what they believe is an integral part of their life. To you and I such ideals seem strange, but to them it is a part of their life - thus the spirits are real. If you do not know and respect the cultures of others you will not get far in dealing with them. For they may well see our beliefs as silly and wrong yet they are willing to respect us and trade with us, should we not do the same?"

Somewhere in all of that there is a message we would all do well to heed.