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Thai Theradavadan abbot predicts own death, sleeps in coffin
vinlyn
Colorado...for now Veteran
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/760000-abbots-case-to-be-discussed/
Glad there's no supernatural stuff in Buddhism!
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Comments
I can predict my own death.
I can categorically state, without any fear of contradiction, that it will happen, one day.
Now, where's that shroud....?
I noticed this ad at the top of the piece:
Ads by Google
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Those rotating ads...I hate them. When I opened it the ad was about a dating service to meet Thai women...which is pretty supernatural, too.
The monk started sleeping in a coffin? By this I assume the temple keeps a stack of coffins around and the man dragged one into his sleeping quarters. It's nice they finally took the man to a hospital for treatment.
Claims of people being able to predict their own death fall into the broad category of people who die either because they're old and decided it's time, or some life-long husband/wife died and they lost the will to live. Even this old skeptic acknowledges that the mind can be so powerful a controlling force on the body that under the right conditions we can shut our own body down.
I think those are supplied by the National 'Elf.
.
This os why seeking the truth isn't as helpful as just being open to the possibility of truth.
Seeking truth can drive you nuts.
Maybe it was the new Ikea coffin-bed.
http://www.cultnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/vampireincoffin.jpeg
Oh those quirky Thai Theravadins. What will they do next?
As usual, the supernatural element has more to do with cultural additions to Buddhism (Rhys Davids would call it "cultural corruption on Buddhism"), than with the Buddhist doctrine itself.
I have provided two links which deal with the Buddha's attitude towards the boasting of supernatural powers, pasting the points more relevant to the OP, and an interesting link dealing with the Thai attitude towards magic and superstition.
http://www.sacred-texts.com/bud/btg/btg43.htm
"And the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus and said: 'There is another great prohibition which I declare to you: An ordained disciple must not boast of any superhuman perfection. The disciple who with evil intent and from covetousness boasts of a superhuman perfection, be it celestial visions or miracles, is no longer a disciple of the Sakyamuni. I forbid you, O bhikkhus, to employ any spells or supplications, for they are useless, since the law of karma governs all things. He who attempts to perform miracles has not understood the doctrine of the Tathagata.' "
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhism/lifebuddha/2_26lbud.htm
"The first two supernormal powers, if displayed for their own sake in order to impress people, are no different from the performance of magicians. A monk who practices such worldly miracles is a source of shame, humiliation and disgust. Such actions may impress and win converts and followers, but they do not bring enlightenment to help them put an end to suffering.
The third kind of supernormal power, though, which may be called a 'miracle', helps people to get rid of suffering. This is the only supernormal power that is fit to be practiced.
The only miracles that should be performed are these: when you see a man full of passion, craving and greed and you teach him to free himself from passion, craving and greed; when you see that a man is a slave to hatred and anger and you use your powers to help him control his hatred and anger; when you come across a man who is ignorant and who cannot see the true nature of the world (everything in this world is impermanent, sorrowful and egoless) and you use your powers to help him overcome his ignorance. These are worthy 'miracles' you can perform."
http://www.newdawnmagazine.com/articles/monks-magic-buddhism-and-the-supernatural-in-thailand
I wouldn't be all that surprised if someone knew they were going to die shortly. I'd be surprised if it had anything to do specifically with "Buddhism", other than perhaps being mindful of the body.
Good point. Particularly if somebody had been practising like that for years and was very mindful indeed.
The other day you were glad you were a Theravedin/Secularist (whatever that means) so you must be having one hell of a week.
Actually, there's nothing supernatural about knowing you're about to die. Meditation practices such as Shamatha are meant to allow the practitioner to recognize the moment and to not cling to life in the face of it. You don't have to be a Buddhist to know that either, both my father (Methodist) and father-in-law (Lutheran) knew their ends were coming in a matter of days and were peacefully resigned.
Sleeping in a coffin is a bit wierd, maybe a touch crazy, but superstitious?
Makes me glad I'm a religious, Tibetan Buddhist. We deal with the death of our body in a much more pragmatic fashion.
That monk was geographically lucky to just get away with a canonical knuckle rap.
In North America, we are all well indoctrinated since being knee high to a TV, that to not stake anyone found sleeping in a coffin is just an open invitation to join the undead.
Besides..I am not sure that sleeping in a coffin is really much of a practical prep for cremation.
Perhaps the available urns were a tad too uncomfortable.