Pali & Sanskrit
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During the era of the Buddha, was the language used pali or sankrit or other indian languages prevalent at that time? There are about 300 languages used during that era wasn't it.
Pali is the main language for Theravdin tradition and Sanskrit is for Mahayanist tradition.
Anyone can clarify these? -
Pali was a spoken language. just like teochew, hokkien
Sanskrit was the only language written.
Am I right?
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Buddha probably spoke in all kinds of languages because he had followers from all the castes.
He even spoke to the Devas in Deva language, Brahmas in Brahma language.
(devas and brahmas are celestial beings) -
How about aliens?Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Buddha probably spoke in all kinds of languages because he had followers from all the castes.
He even spoke to the Devas in Deva language, Brahmas in Brahma language.
(devas and brahmas are celestial beings)
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Ya probably he will speak to them in alien language too. Since Buddha is omniscient and could know everything by just reflecting in samadhi.Originally posted by maggot:How about aliens? -
Well there is still sign languageOriginally posted by maggot:How about aliens? 
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Reminded me of a good (true) story:Originally posted by LinYu:Well there is still sign language v
http://buddhism.sgforums.com/?action=thread_display&thread_id=142598
It wasn't easy being the Sixth Patriarch. Many wished to kill him and his disciples as well. For this reason, after the Great master obtained the Dharma, he went into hiding, dwelling among hunters for sixteen years. Even after establishing his Dharma platform at Nan Hua Temple, followers of other religions tried to kill him, and so the Great Master hid inside a big rock. He sat there in meditation, and although they set the mountain on fire, he was untouched by the flames. The rock can still be seen at Nan Hua Temple.
Hui-neng is counted as the Sixth Patriarch from the First Patriarch, Bodhidharma, who was the Twenty-eighth Indian Patriarch. "Bodhi" means Enlightenment and "Dharma" means law. When Bodhidharma set sail from India, fulfilling the prediction of Shakyamuni Buddha that Mahayana teaching would be transmitted to China during the time of the Twenty-eighth Patriarch, the Buddhadharma already existed in China, yet it was if it was not there at all. Although there were men who studied, there were few who lectured or recited the sutras and repentance ceremonies were seldom practiced. Cultivation was superficial. Scholars debated and argued, but none of them truly understood.
The principles in the Sutras must be cultivated, but at that time in China they were not cultivated because everyone feared suffering. Now, in America, it is just the same. People sit in meditation. However as soon as their legs begin to ache, they wince and fidget and then gently unbend them. People are just people and nobody likes to have aching legs.
While still in India, Patriarch Bodhidharma sent two of his disciples, Fo T'o and Yeh She, to China to transmit the Sudden Enlightenment Dharma door. But no one, not even Chinese Bhikshus would speak to them. So they went to Lu Mountain where they met the Great Master Yuan Kung, who lectured on mindfulness of the Buddha.
Master Yuan asked, "What Dharma do you transmit that causes people to pay you so little respect?"
Fo T'o and Yen She could not speak Chinese, so they used sign language instead. Raising their arms in the air, they said, "Watch! The hand makes a fist and the fist makes a hand. Is this not quick?"
Master Yuan replied, "Quick indeed."
"Bodhi (Enlightenment) and affliction," they said, "are just that quick." At that moment, Dharma Master Yuan became Enlightened, realizing that originally Bodhi and affliction are not different, for Bodhi is affliction and affliction is Bodhi. he made offerings to Fo T'o and Yeh She, and shortly thereafter, the two Indian Bhikshus died on the same day, in the same place. Their graves may still be seen at Lu Mountain. -
Mental projectionOriginally posted by LinYu:Well there is still sign language v
This is the communication commonly used for higher beings -
nice story Eternal
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Actually there is one particular heaven that no words is spoken, people communicate through light, thus the name Light-Sound Heaven. it is in the 2nd jhana plane, and is the origin of humans. (see the earth ppl: genesis in buddhism)Originally posted by maggot:Mental projection
This is the communication commonly used for higher beings