Reincarnation of Buddhas
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It's good to be curious... find out more and if it agrees with you, find a Buddhist teacher who can guide you to enlightenmentOriginally posted by askxyz:Again, apologised for the many questions. Suddenly curious about the re-incarnation of Buddhas thingy.
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Am I right to say that before Primordial Buddha, there can be no other Buddha? And if before Primordial Buddha, what was the spiritual world like? No Buddhas in the spiritual world?Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Yes, when there is Birth, there is End.
But as mentioned, Buddha Nature is Unborn nature. It is eternal. Primordial Buddha is known as the First Buddha because it is precisely because of Primordial Buddha that all other Buddha arised....
Any Buddhists here pls correct me if I am wrong. -
Buddhism will eventually fade away because impermanency is a natural law. Eventually the Sangha (monastic community) would become corrupt, the true Dharma (teachings) will disappear... so how can Buddhism survive?Originally posted by askxyz:I don't understand why Buddhism will eventually fade away. Why is that so?
Is Buddha Sassana currently still on Earth? I have a quick search on the net but can't find his photo. Can post his photo?
Also post Maitreya Buddha photo pls.
Oh ya, you said that "Our current Buddha Sassana is prophecised ...", but where did the prophecies come from? And to who?
Maybe you mistaken. Buddha Sassana is not a Buddha. The word "Sasana" is a Pali term which means "Desana", the Teaching of the Buddha. It means the Buddhist teachings are still currently on Earth, precisely because of this, even today there are people who attain enlightenment. It is still possible... so all of us are very fortunate to be living in the age of Buddha Sassana and must make use of this opportunity to practise the dharma. -
Then what is Maitreya Buddha ?Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Buddhism will eventually fade away because impermanency is a natural law. Eventually the Sangha (monastic community) would become corrupt, the true Dharma (teachings) will disappear... so how can Buddhism survive?
Maybe you mistaken. Buddha Sassana is not a Buddha. The word "Sasana" is a Pali term which means "Desana", the Teaching of the Buddha. It means the Buddhist teachings are still currently on Earth, precisely because of this, even today there are people who attain enlightenment. It is still possible... so all of us are very fortunate to be living in the Buddha Sassana and must make use of this opportunity to practise the dharma. -
Maitreya Buddha is a real person/a real BuddhaOriginally posted by askxyz:Then what is Maitreya Buddha ? Maitreya means 'loving kindness'. Currently he has not attained Buddhahood yet, he is still a Bodhisattva (generally a person who is practicing to attain Buddhahood) and resides in Tusita Heaven as the teacher of the Devas (celestial beings). When the time and conditions are ripe, the enlightened celestial followers will reborn with Maitreya Buddha on Planet Earth to spread the Dharma. -
There is no 'before Primordial Buddha' or in fact 'after Primordial Buddha' because the Primordial Buddha is eternal with no beginning and no end!Originally posted by askxyz:Am I right to say that before Primordial Buddha, there can be no other Buddha? And if before Primordial Buddha, what was the spiritual world like? No Buddhas in the spiritual world?
When we attain awakening, we will realise and see for ourselves our own Buddha Nature, and that is seeing the Primordial Buddha. And what is this Buddha Nature all about? 'Buddha' means Awakening/Awareness. Therefore awakening means awakening to our Pure Awareness. We will attain liberation and freedom from all vexations, afflictions, and sufferings. -
I confused again. A person residing in Tusita Heaven? How can that be possible? Where is Tusita Heaven?Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Maitreya Buddha is a real person/a real Buddha Maitreya means 'loving kindness'. Currently he has not attained Buddhahood yet, he is still a Bodhisattva (generally a person who is practicing to attain Buddhahood) and resides in Tusita Heaven as the teacher of the Devas (celestial beings). When the time and conditions are ripe, the enlightened celestial followers will reborn with Maitreya Buddha on Planet Earth to spread the Dharma.
I think you miss a question I asked just now:Oh ya, you said that "Our current Buddha Sassana is prophecised ...", but where did the prophecies come from? And to who?
Just curious how Buddhism prophecies thingy. -
Maitreya Bodhisattva appears as a celestial being with the 32 major marks and 80 minor marks in the Tusita Heaven. It is possible.. why not? Buddha has the power to appear in all manifestations to save sentient beings. I don't know where Tusita Heaven is, because I have not been there yet. It is definitely very far away from our solar system.Originally posted by askxyz:I confused again. A person residing in Tusita Heaven? How can that be possible? Where is Tusita Heaven?
I think you miss a question I asked just now: but where did the prophecies come from? And to who?
Just curious how Buddhism prophecies thingy.
Buddha gave the prophecies on not one but a few occasions... one occasion was Ananda's dream interpreted and the other occasion was also from the request of Ananda. See http://buddhism.sgforums.com/?action=thread_display&thread_id=170077&page=1 -
How did they go to Tusita Heaven? Spirited away? Or they take an invisible soul plane there?Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Maitreya Bodhisattva appears as a celestial being with the 32 major marks and 80 minor marks in the Tusita Heaven. It is possible.. why not? Buddha has the power to appear in all manifestations to save sentient beings. I don't know where Tusita Heaven is, because I have not been there yet. It is definitely very far away from our solar system.
Ok, I think my questions are about there liao. If got further questions will come in again.
Hope no more question after these.
Good night. -
Paisey, another question.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Buddha gave the prophecies on not one but a few occasions... one occasion was Ananda's dream interpreted and the other occasion was also from the request of Ananda. See http://buddhism.sgforums.com/?action=thread_display&thread_id=170077&page=1
How can we trust if the dream is truely from Buddha? Anybody can dream that Buddha tells him or her this and that mah. -
By their supernatural powers... they can travel to any places and also take birth as celestial beings..Originally posted by askxyz:How did they go to Tusita Heaven? Spirited away? Or they take an invisible soul plane there?
Ok, I think my questions are about there liao. If got further questions will come in again.
Hope no more question after these.
Good night.
Gd night Nice chat. -
Nope, Ananda did not dream of the Buddhas. But he dreamt of 7 things and asked for dream interpretation from the Buddha.Originally posted by askxyz:Paisey, another question.
How can we trust if the dream is truely from Buddha? Anybody can dream that Buddha tells him or her this and that mah.http://taipei.tzuchi.org.tw/tzquart/96winter/qw96-3.htm
The Dreams
Ananda had strange dreams one night, so the following day he told the Buddha, "Oh Enlightened One, I had strange dreams last night, and I hope that the Buddha can clarify them for me.
"I first dreamed that all the rivers and oceans were burned up by great fire.
"In my second dream, the sun had descended and the world was in total darkness. My head was supporting Mount Sumeru4, but I didn't feel its weight.
"In the third dream, I saw the sangha putting on Buddhist robes, but not following the Buddha's teachings.
"In the fourth dream, the monastic order did not wear Buddhist robes, and they faltered among the thorns and difficulties of the world.
"In the fifth dream, there were a lot of wild pigs rooting at the base of a huge, lush candana tree.5
"In the sixth dream, young elephants trampled green grass and polluted the river while ignoring warnings from the large elephants. The large elephants could only go away to a place with clear water and green grass. The young elephants later starved to death because there was no grass to eat and they could not drink the water from the river.
"In the seventh dream, a lion died, but other carnivorous animals did not dare to approach to eat the flesh. Instead, worms came out of the lion's body and ate its flesh.
"Why would I have these strange dreams?"
Then the Buddha replied with concern in his eyes. "Ananda, let me explain them to you. In the first dream, you saw the fire burning up the rivers and the oceans. This indicates that in the future, monks and nuns will betray my teachings and start disagreements within the sangha.
"In the second dream, your head supported Mount Sumeru. This means that in ninety days I will pass away. All the monks, heavenly beings and human beings will need your help to remember and pass down my teachings.
"In the third dream, you saw monks and nuns putting on the robes but not following my teachings. This means that after I pass away, the sangha will give lectures on my teachings to large gatherings of people, but the sangha itself will not follow my teachings.
"You saw monks not wearing the robes, lingering among the thorns. This shows that in the future there will be monks not wearing the robes but commoners' clothes. They will abandon the precepts and adopt commoners' lives, and they will also have wives and children.
"You saw wild pigs rooting at the candana tree. The sangha in the future will not promote my teachings, but will only look after their own livelihood by selling statues of buddhas and holding various services for commoners.
"Sixth, you saw young elephants not listening to the adult elephants and later dying from starvation. This means that in the future, new monks and nuns will not listen to the teachings of the elder monks, and they will fall into purgatory after death.
"Seventh, you saw worms eating the lion's flesh. It indicates that no other religions will destroy my teaching, but the monastic order itself will be destroyed from within.
"Ananda, what you dreamt last night is the future of Buddhism," the Buddha said sadly. -
Waiting for the last question before I log off.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:By their supernatural powers... they can travel to any places and also take birth as celestial beings..
Gd night Nice chat.
Yup, nice chat. -
Sorry... which one?Originally posted by askxyz:Waiting for the last question before I log off.
Yup, nice chat. -
Buddha talking (& interpreting) to Ananda in his dreams?Originally posted by An Eternal Now:
Actually I mean "How can we trust if the dream is truely from Buddha?"
Or in other words, how can we know Buddha truely told anyone about the future things? -
You have actually answered but still got some questions after that. my goodness...Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Sorry... which one? -
The dream was not from Buddha, the dream was Ananda's. However this dream had prophetic meaning and was 'deciphered' by the Buddha.Originally posted by askxyz:Buddha talking to Ananda in his dreams?
Actually I mean "How can we trust if the dream is truely from Buddha?"
Or in other words, how can we know Buddha truely told anyone about the future things?
"Why would I have these strange dreams?"
Then the Buddha replied with concern in his eyes. "Ananda, let me explain them to you.... (continued)
This account was written in the scriptures. -
Then ask lor..Originally posted by askxyz:You have actually answered but still got some questions after that. my goodness... -
i.c...Originally posted by An Eternal Now:The dream was not from Buddha, the dream was Ananda's. However this dream had prophetic meaning and was 'deciphered' by the Buddha.
"Why would I have these strange dreams?"
Then the Buddha replied with concern in his eyes. "Ananda, let me explain them to you.... (continued)
This account was written in the scriptures.
The interpretation by Buddha occured where? Actually who is the Buddha you are refering to? So many Buddhas......... -
The interpretation by Buddha occured somewhere in India... not too sure which town they were at. Buddha and his disciples walked throughout India to spread the dharma.Originally posted by askxyz:i.c...
The interpretation by Buddha occured where? Actually who is the Buddha you are refering to? So many Buddhas.........
Usually when I say 'Buddha said this.. or did this..' If I never mention the name it means Shakyamuni Buddha, since he was the historical Buddha that appeared in India 2500 years ago. -
As long as a person has attained enlightenment now, he can be considered a Buddha before his death?Originally posted by An Eternal Now:The interpretation by Buddha occured somewhere in India... not too sure which town they were at. Buddha and his disciples walked throughout India to spread the dharma.
Usually when I say 'Buddha said this.. or did this..' If I never mention the name it means Shakyamuni Buddha, since he was the historical Buddha that appeared in India 2500 years ago. -
Usually 'enlightened beings' that we meet nowadays are bodhisattvas or arhants, since it will be a long time before the next Buddha arrives on Earth. Enlightened meaning having at least had a glimpse of the nature of reality/emptiness and recognised that... but they still have to practise to attain complete and perfect Buddhahood. The Buddha is still the "highest", and the Bodhisattva is on his path towards Buddhahood.Originally posted by askxyz:As long as a person has attained enlightenment now, he can be considered a Buddha before his death?http://www.jenchen.org.sg/5vehicles.htm
The Five Vehicles of Buddhism are:
Humanity Vehicle Buddhism, or translated phonetically from Mandarin, Jen Chen Buddhism: Themain objectives of Jen Chen Buddhism are to purify the human mind and to promote a blissful culture for humanity, so that we may realize a happy and blissful family, and pure land in this world.
Deva Vehicle Buddhism: The doctrines expounded to the Devas or celestial beings.
Small Vehicle Buddhism, Sravaka, or Hinayana Buddhism: The doctrines for those who cultivate for the sake of personal liberation and aspiration for personal salvation. The highest level of attainment forcultivators of Hinayana Buddhism is the Arahat.
Middle Vehicle Buddhism or Pratyeka-Buddha Buddhism: This is slightly more advanced than the Small Vehicle Buddhism. Like those of the Small Vehicle Buddhism, practitioners of the Middle Vehicle Buddhism are not concerned about the salvation of other sentient beings.
Greater Vehicle Buddhism, Bodhisattva Vehicle Buddhism or Mahayana Buddhism: While the Small Vehicle is like a motorcycle or a bicycle which carries one or two persons at a time, the Greater Vehicle is likened to a train or a ship which can ferry many passengers on a single trip. Thus, the doctrines of the Greater Vehicle are for personal salvation as well as for the salvation of other sentient beings. Practitioners of the Greater Vehicle Buddhism aspire to ferrying both self and others to the shore of enlightenment. Amongst the well known Bodhisattvas of the Greater Vehicle Buddhism are Avalokitesvara or Kuan-Yin, Mahasthama, Manjusri, Ksitigarbha and last but not least, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva. -
So when Siddartha Gautama was still a human, he had become a Buddha? If not, why you called him Buddha when he was in India interpreting the dreams.
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Yes, that is true. Human realm is the most suitable realm to attain Buddhahood. All Buddhas attain Buddhahood in human realm, not in the other 5 realms. It also shows that every single one of us is able to attain Buddhahood. Celestial realms are too enjoyable/pleasurable, hell/lower realms have too much sufferings, human realm is just nice.Originally posted by askxyz:So when Siddartha Gautama was still a human, he had become a Buddha? However having attained awakening, the Buddha transcends all realms. He remains in this world for the purpose of saving sentient beings.
85. In the same manner, Sâriputra, I, the great Seer, am the protector and father of all beings, and all creatures who, childlike, are captivated by the pleasures of the triple world, are my sons.
86. This triple world is as dreadful as that house, overwhelmed with a number of evils, entirely inflamed on every side by a hundred different sorts of birth, old age, and disease.
87. But I, who am detached from the triple world and serene, am living in absolute retirement in a wood. This triple world is my domain, and those who in it are suffering from burning heat are my sons. -
OK, I gtg now. Gd night. You can continue to post or enquire... the other moderators can reply you tmr..