Reincarnation of Buddhas
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Maitreya means 'loving kindness' , Sassana means what? Compassion?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 age of Buddha Sassana and must make use of this opportunity to practise the dharma. -
Ok, gd nite.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:OK, I gtg now. Gd night. You can continue to post or enquire... the other moderators can reply you tmr..
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Regarding the ananda dreams, it is quite sad to know that buddhism in the future has such tendency.
That's why if one day we are enlightened, we should vow to come back to the earth in our next life instead of going to heaven. If all enlightened people left the earth, who is going to guide the people here.
And one of thing in ananda dream which accordingly to buddha's translation is that the sangha in future will not wear sangha robes and will even have wife/children. Sounds like doing so is not in parallel with buddha teaching. But now we can see that some monks in some countries are allowed to marry and yet doesn't affect their spiritual cultivation. I guess you know where I am refering to. No offense to the monks.
As for the who is the first buddha in the entire universe. All along, I thought there are 7 buddhas and sakyamuni buddha is the seventh one.
Some sources said that Guan Yin Bodhisatva has attained buddhahood before, but he later on became bodhisatva back so he is able to spread dharma and save sentient beings. But, if he has attained buddhahood already, how can he so called "demote" himself to bodhisatva. Isn't it as a buddha he is able to save people even more efficiently?
Pls enlighten me on the above.
btw, if you afraid that the word tushita will be filtered by the system, here is the way. To be known by responsible people like us -
Maybe you missed this part in the previous post:Originally posted by askxyz:Maitreya means 'loving kindness' , Sassana means what? Compassion?
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. -
Originally posted by justdoit77:
Yes, in Japan, they can do that. The removal of the Vinaya has to do with Japanese Buddhism history...
[b]Regarding the ananda dreams, it is quite sad to know that buddhism in the future has such tendency.
That's why if one day we are enlightened, we should vow to come back to the earth in our next life instead of going to heaven. If all enlightened people left the earth, who is going to guide the people here.
And one of thing in ananda dream which accordingly to buddha's translation is that the sangha in future will not wear sangha robes and will even have wife/children. Sounds like doing so is not in parallel with buddha teaching. But now we can see that some monks in some countries are allowed to marry and yet doesn't affect their spiritual cultivation. I guess you know where I am refering to. No offense to the monks.As for the who is the first buddha in the entire universe. All along, I thought there are 7 buddhas and sakyamuni buddha is the seventh one.
Shakyamuni Buddha is the 7th Buddha of this world cycle. But before that, there are uncountable previous Buddhas.Some sources said that Guan Yin Bodhisatva has attained buddhahood before, but he later on became bodhisatva back so he is able to spread dharma and save sentient beings. But, if he has attained buddhahood already, how can he so called "demote" himself to bodhisatva. Isn't it as a buddha he is able to save people even more efficiently?
He demoted himself so that he can be an example to aspirants of the Bodhisattva/Mahayana Path. All the Maha Bodhisattvas exhibit different qualities and characters that Mahayana practitioners must learn. For example the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva (Guan Yin) represents Great Compassion. Manjusri represents Wisdom. Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva represent Great Vows. And so on
Pls enlighten me on the above.btw, if you afraid that the word tushita will be filtered by the system, here is the way. To be known by responsible people like us
Ok, thanks -
But what is the teaching of Buddha about now?Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Maybe you missed this part in the previous post:
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. -
What do you mean by "now"? The teachings of Buddha has not changed since he was borned in India 2500 years back.Originally posted by askxyz:But what is the teaching of Buddha about now?
And as to "what is his teaching about", I would suggest you start off by reading this: http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/basic-guide.htm -
You said "It means the Buddhist teachings are still currently on Earth....". So I use now because you use currently mah.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:What do you mean by "now"? The teachings of Buddha has not changed since he was borned in India 2500 years back.
And as to "what is his teaching about", I would suggest you start off by reading this: http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/basic-guide.htm
Because you said Maitreya Buddha needs to come one day mah, and it will be teaching about 'loving kindness', if I am not wrong. So I guess in Sassana Buddha period, the teaching will be about compassion lo. -
Orh.. no lah, Maitreya Buddha is named loving kindness, but his teachings will be roughly the same as Shakyamuni Buddha's. Shakyamuni Buddha has also taught about Loving Kindness.Originally posted by askxyz:You said "It means the Buddhist teachings are still currently on Earth....". So I use now because you use currently mah.
Because you said Maitreya Buddha needs to come one day mah, and it will be teaching about 'loving kindness', if I am not wrong. So I guess in Sassana Buddha period, the teaching will be about compassion lo. I've heard one difference is that Maitreya Buddha will not be teaching the Vajrayana/Tantric form of teaching. I myself do not practise this form of teaching.
Anyway, all Buddhas teaches basically three things: Avoid evil, do good, purify the mind. The purpose for teaching this is to lead all sentient beings to liberation and enlightenment. -
Why must there be a change? Because the current teaching will become corrupt as you said yesterday?Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Orh.. no lah, Maitreya Buddha is named loving kindness, but his teachings will be roughly the same as Shakyamuni Buddha's. Shakyamuni Buddha has also taught about Loving Kindness. I've heard one difference is that Maitreya Buddha will not be teaching the Vajrayana/Tantric form of teaching. I myself do not practise this form of teaching.
Anyway, all Buddhas teaches basically three things: Avoid evil, do good, purify the mind. The purpose for teaching this is to lead all sentient beings to liberation and enlightenment.
What is the Vajrayana/Tantric form of teaching? -
There is generally not much change. All Buddhas teaches one to attain enlightenment and liberation. Maitreya Buddha will also teach the 4 noble truths and the 8 fold path to enlightenment.Originally posted by askxyz:Why must there be a change? Because the current teaching will become corrupt as you said yesterday?
What is the Vajrayana/Tantric form of teaching?
Vajrayana Buddhism is the esoteric form of Buddhism. Maitreya Buddha sees that it is unsuitable to teach the Vajrayana teachings to sentient beings at that time.