four face buddha not buddha right?
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which indian god is it?
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The Maha Brahma - the one who claimed to be Creator
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the chinese newspaper wrote Po Luo Men Jiao....and provide the name......what is Po Luo Men Jiao? Brahminism?Originally posted by An Eternal Now:The Maha Brahma - the one who claimed to be Creator -
Yes, its BrahmanismOriginally posted by laoda99:the chinese newspaper wrote Po Luo Men Jiao....and provide the name......what is Po Luo Men Jiao? Brahminism?
The Brahma is also worshipped in Hinduism nowadays. In Buddha's times there was no such thing as Hinduism, Hinduism sprung up a thousand years later after muslims invaded India and called the religion 'Hinduism'. -
Are you referring to four face buddha in Bangkok?
If yes, is it true, if you ask for something and when your wishes comes true, you must return to thanks the buddha?
Example like Nicholas Tse who was charged previously. He and his mum went to pray to the four face buddha in Bangkok and eventually I think he got away with a light sentence and they returned to thanks the buddha. -
wat's the religion b4 buddhism in india? Jainism?Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Yes, its Brahmanism
The Brahma is also worshipped in Hinduism nowadays. In Buddha's times there was no such thing as Hinduism, Hinduism sprung up a thousand years later after muslims invaded India and called the religion 'Hinduism'. -
In Buddha's period there are more than 60+ different spiritual traditions. Brahmanism is probably most followed. Jainism arose the same time as Buddhism although the two leaders never met.Originally posted by laoda99:wat's the religion b4 buddhism in india? Jainism? -
i also dunno.....anyone pray to it and get what u want?Originally posted by babymac13:Are you referring to four face buddha in Bangkok?
If yes, is it true, if you ask for something and when your wishes comes true, you must return to thanks the buddha?
Example like Nicholas Tse who was charged previously. He and his mum went to pray to the four face buddha in Bangkok and eventually I think he got away with a light sentence and they returned to thanks the buddha. -
That's what I heard.Originally posted by laoda99:i also dunno.....anyone pray to it and get what u want?
If you don't return for offerings, possible that your wish will turn against you.
Another thing I heard four face buddha is quite powerful. -
Four Face Brahma is not a Buddha, but is a very powerful worldly being (a Buddha has transcended samsara and is no longer a sentient being). In fact the most powerful in our universe. Nevertheless he is still a worldly being and has not transcended Samsara. He is a dharma protector and also the one who requested that the Buddha teach the dharma to the world.Originally posted by babymac13:That's what I heard.
If you don't return for offerings, possible that your wish will turn against you.
Another thing I heard four face buddha is quite powerful. -
so he is the one buddha questioned?Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Four Face Brahma is not a Buddha, but is a very powerful worldly being. In fact the most powerful in our universe. Nevertheless he is still a worldly being and has not transcended Samsara.
how powerful is the four face buddha? any scripture says?
if he is a worldly being, can he age and die? -
Yes he is the one Buddha questioned.Originally posted by laoda99:so he is the one buddha questioned?
how powerful is the four face buddha? any scripture says?
if he is a worldly being, can he age and die?
Brahma (lets not call it four face buddha now - confusing) is very powerful and can perform a lot of miracles. But he is still subject to ageing and death, although the Brahma himself wasn't aware until the Buddha told him. A Brahma's lifespan is in terms of billions of years. Also the Maha Brahma is not aware that there are in fact higher and even more subtle Brahma planes above his.
Other than Maha Brahma there are many interesting details on Buddhism and gods/brahmas: Teacher of the Devas
Contents
* I. Introduction
* II. The Buddha Teaches Deities
* III. Devas and Brahmas Honor the Buddha
* IV. The Role of Devas in the Buddha's Career
* V. Liberation for Humans, Devas, and Brahmas
* Notes
* Abbreviations
* Bibliography -
Thanks for that reply.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Four Face Brahma is not a Buddha, but is a very powerful worldly being (a Buddha has transcended samsara and is no longer a sentient being). In fact the most powerful in our universe. Nevertheless he is still a worldly being and has not transcended Samsara. He is a dharma protector and also the one who requested that the Buddha teach the dharma to the world.
Any history of Brahma like when he exist? -
Brahma is worshipped outside Buddhism, but the Brahma himself has taken refuge in the triple gems, meaning he became a follower of the Buddha.Originally posted by babymac13:Thanks for that reply.
But he fall under the buddhism right? -
hmmm....is it worship or honor??? Anyway, Buddha greater than the goddesses?
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A goddess honors the Buddha
Once a devata, a goddess named Kokanada, visited the Blessed One at Vesali and recited verses in his praise:
"I worship the Buddha, the best of beings,
Dwelling in the woods at Vesali
Kokanada I am —
Kokanada the daughter of Pajjunna.
Earlier I had only heard that the Dhamma
Has been realized by the One with Vision;
But now I know it as a witness
While the Sage, the Sublime One teaches.
Those ignorant folk who go about
Criticizing the noble Dhamma
Go to the terrible Roruva hell
And experience suffering for a long time.
But those who in the noble Dhamma
Are endowed with acceptance and inner peace,
When they discard the human body,
Will fill up the heavenly hosts of devas." (KS I,40-41; SN 11:39) -
Here is the Hindu understanding of the Maha Brahma, Creator God: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahma_(god)Originally posted by babymac13:Thanks for that reply.
Any history of Brahma like when he exist?
But Buddhism does not share the belief that Maha Brahma is Creator God, and if you would like to know more about that I can tell you. -
Thanks for the links.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Brahma is worshipped outside Buddhism, but the Brahma himself has taken refuge in the triple gems, meaning he became a follower of the Buddha.
That explains my queries.
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Pls see my updated post.Originally posted by babymac13:That's sound little confusing to me.
So does he fall under any religion? For example, the people who only worship him.
So to say, different religions have different understandings of the Maha Brahma. -
means a lot of religions worship maha brahma?Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Pls see my updated post.
So to say, different religions have different understandings of the Maha Brahma. -
Only Hinduism, currently.Originally posted by laoda99:means a lot of religions worship maha brahma?
Maha Brahma does has a place in Buddhism, but he is merely seen as a dharma protector. We do not worship Maha Brahma. -
wat is a dharma protector? luohan?Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Only Hinduism, currently.
Maha Brahma does has a place in Buddhism, but he is merely seen as a dharma protector. We do not worship Maha Brahma. -
According to wikipedia, there is no information that said Brahma was linked to buddhism rather he was a hindu god creator. Maybe you can explain little more on this.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Here is the Hindu understanding of the Maha Brahma, Creator God: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahma_(god)
Thanks. -
Brahma is in Buddhism, but Buddhism's understanding of Brahma is different from Hindu understanding.Originally posted by babymac13:According to wikipedia, there is no information that said Brahma was linked to buddhism rather he was a hindu god creator. Maybe you can explain little more on this.
Thanks.
Take the Maha Brahma (a.k.a four face buddha) for example, which I am going to post in the next post. The Brahmanist/Hindu understanding of Brahma is that he is the creator of the universe. In Buddhism, the Brahma met Buddha and he became disillusioned that he was the Creator. But of course the hindus still consider Brahma as the creator of the universe.
The first line in the wikipedia article says: This article concerns the Hindu creator god, Brahma. For the Buddhist deities, see Brahma (Buddhism). For similar terms with different meanings, see Brahman (disambiguation). -
Originally posted by An Eternal Now:
Slightly edited from the first topic in our forum regarding Creationism: How the Brahma believed He was God?
In Buddha's days there were many many different teachings, one popular one was Brahmanism. In fact the Brahma was still worshipped nowadays. Brahma was known to be "The Supreme One, the All-mighty, the All-seeing, the Ruler, the Lord of all, the Maker, the Creator, the Chief of All".
In Buddhism, the Mahabrahma resides in the 1st Jhana plane, the first plane among the 8 jhanic planes. There were higher realms above where he lives that he was unaware of, and above it all, beyond the 8 Jhanic planes and all Samsaric planes, is Nirvana. Nevertheless all the devas below the 1st Jhana planes considered him as the Creator God. Buddha did not subscribe to the belief of such a notion that the Universe and its Inhabitants were the Creation of the Mahabrahma. He met with the Brahma, asked him questions which he could not answer. Eventually he has taken refuge in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.
The Buddha was also known to have said this,
If the creator of the world entire
They call God, of every being be the Lord
Why does he order such misfortune
If the creator of the world entire
They call God, of every being be the Lord
Why prevail deceit, lies and ignorance
And he such inequity and injustice create?
If the creator of the world entire
They call God, of every being be the Lord
Then an evil master is he, (O Aritta)
Knowing what's right did let wrong prevail!
When the previous universe was destroyed and this universe was formed, the Mahabrahma was first to be reborn. Other subsequent brahmas/devas were to be reborn.
'On this, brethren, the one who was first reborn thinks thus to himself: " I am Brahmà , the Great Brahmà , the Supreme One, the Mighty, the All-seeing, the Ruler, the Lord of all, the Maker, the Creator, the Chief of all, appointing to each his place, the Ancient of days the Father of all that are and are to be. 'These other beings are of my creation. And why is that so? A while ago I thought, 'Would that they might come!' And on my mental aspiration, behold the beings came." DN 1 2:5
In reality, the universe works by the law of Karma and he has no control over the system of karma.
The Venerable Ledi Sayadaw, a highly renowned Myanmar scholar-monk of the first part of this century, gave a careful analysis of the powers of Maha Brahma in his Niyama Dipani (MB pp. 138-39). He states that although Maha Brahma can perform all sorts of transformations, he cannot actually create independent creatures, change the kammic law of cause and effect, or keep anyone from growing old or dying. Brahma can use his special powers to transport a man to the brahma plane for a short visit, but he cannot ensure that someone will be reborn there.
from http://www.jenchen.org.sg/vol5no3f.htm:
When he came to know about Sakyamuni Buddha in the human world who speaks of the universal truth, he was curious and arrived at the human world with the intention to debate with the Buddha. The Buddha, with his ability to know another's mind, knew his intention and asked, "You claim to be the creator of the human race and all things in the universe, is this a fact?"
The king replied, "Yes, it is."
Buddha continued to question him, "Since you created life, why did you also create death? Is death created by you too?"
The king paused for while, and thinking that everyone loves life and nobody welcomes death, he replied, "I did not create death."
Buddha asked him again, "All human beings experience sickness, did you create sickness also?" The king knew that nobody likes to be ill, and he replied, "I did not create illness."
Buddha asked many questions in succession, but the king denied that he created them. Eventually, he admitted that he did not create the universe and all things in it, and certainly not the human race. The king of heavens was full of regrets and he felt ashamed. Finally, he accepted Buddha as his teacher and invited Him to spread the Dharma in the heavens.
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http://www.mahindarama.com/e-library/whybuddhism2.html
"To those who talked about the first cause of this world, the Buddha responded by saying that it is impossible to find a first cause since everything is changing, interdependent and conditioned by other things. Something that acts as the cause in the present may become the effect in the future. Later that same effect may again become the cause. Such phenomenon continues ad infinitum. It is called the universal law of Anicca or impermanency.”
However, Buddhism is largely Agnostic rather than Atheist. We believe that pondering over such things brings no benefits at all to our spiritual practice, enlightenment, and liberation from samsara.
Kinds of speech to be avoided by contemplatives
"Whereas some priests and contemplatives, living off food given in faith, are addicted to talking about lowly topics such as these -- talking about kings, robbers, ministers of state; armies, alarms, and battles; food and drink; clothing, furniture, garlands, and scents; relatives; vehicles; villages, towns, cities, the countryside; women and heroes; the gossip of the street and the well; tales of the dead; tales of diversity [philosophical discussions of the past and future], the creation of the world and of the sea, and talk of whether things exist or not -- he abstains from talking about lowly topics such as these. This, too, is part of his virtue.
"Whereas some priests and contemplatives, living off food given in faith, are addicted to debates such as these -- 'You understand this doctrine and discipline? I'm the one who understands this doctrine and discipline. How could you understand this doctrine and discipline? You're practicing wrongly. I'm practicing rightly. I'm being consistent. You're not. What should be said first you said last. What should be said last you said first. What you took so long to think out has been refuted. Your doctrine has been overthrown. You're defeated. Go and try to salvage your doctrine; extricate yourself if you can!' -- he abstains from debates such as these. This, too, is part of his virtue."
-- DN 2
Ten wholesome topics of conversation
"There are these ten topics of [proper] conversation. Which ten? Talk on modesty, on contentment, on seclusion, on non-entanglement, on arousing persistence, on virtue, on concentration, on discernment, on release, and on the knowledge & vision of release. These are the ten topics of conversation. If you were to engage repeatedly in these ten topics of conversation, you would outshine even the sun & moon, so mighty, so powerful -- to say nothing of the wanderers of other sects."
-- AN X.69
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"Malunkhyaputta Sutta stresses that whether the universe was created or uncreated, finite or infinite, is irrelevant to our main spiritual concerns: the cause and cessation of suffering:
"Therefore Malunkhyaputta, bear the undeclared as undeclared. Malunkhyaputta, what are the not declared? The world is eternal, is not declared by me. The world is not eternal, is not declared by me. They are not essential for the principles of the holy life, they do not lead to turning away, to detachment, to cessation, to appeasement, to realisation, to enlightenment and to extinction. Malunkhyaputta, what are the declared by me? This, is unpleasant, is declared. This, is its arising, is declared. This, is its cessation is declared. This is the path to its cessation, is declared. Malunkhyaputta, why are these declared by me? These are the essentials for the principles of the holy life; they lead to turning away, to detachment, to cessation, to appeasement, to realisation, to enlightenment and to extinction. Malunkhyaputta, I declare them." MN 64" -
tis provide the best opportunity to clear everyone doubts as the 'four face buddha' is often being misunderstood as a buddha
