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Do Buddhists believe in miracles?
footiam
Veteran
Do you probably think that stones can be turned into bread and the dead can rise, not as ghosts of course, but as humans or perhaps an image of Buddha can be formed magically on a shroud?
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If one were to play with the causes and conditions then anything is possible.
Say like the series of tubes we call the internet.
Miracles are everywhere. Walk around. Basically anything you see is a miracle.
And if you don't see it as such, question that.
I just finished reading "Buddha" by Deepak Chopra, which I really enjoyed. It is, of course, a story telling account of Buddha's life but Deepak has a good understanding of such topics and the parts where he talks about various "miracles" of Buddha is explained pretty well and I really enjoyed how he explained it.
http://www.einterface.net/gamini/buddhist.html
I love the miracle of Kyaik Tiyo in Burma; the Golden Rock.
I was attending the spring teachings of HHDL in 1998 and when a flock of birds flew overhead and then right over the main throne room where HHDL was at the time, they stopped and did 3 circumambulations before heading off in the same direction they were traveling in before.
I guess the skeptical argument is that birds will randomly stop over a religious gathering and circle three times every now and again. If I hadn't been there and seen it with my own eyes and see everyone else react in astonishment I don't know that I'd believe it myself.
I believe that a miracle is just a sign that life is much wider than we presently know of.
As a Buddhist, I am not sure where that leaves a Belief or a miracle.
I saw a bird circle a small stupa, just after a scarf was placed around the stupa, at the end of a ceremony. The behaviour was most contrary. Seen a small bird come for refuge in a temple. Unusual. Seen animals totally placated and out in the open without fear, due to a previous 'higher mind state' visitor; Disney would be proud. If I was less of a heretic I would most certainly see more. This is most certain. Most true. Shit happens.
Two years ago along our driveway a whole row of sunflowers grew up. She did not plant them. I wondered if I did as I was stuck in drinking and planted birdseed when I was drinking, but I don't think so and they looked like real sunflower plants; could those specimens have come from birdseed?
Anyhow we believe that it was a miracle to let us know that my aunt is watching over us. I believe it in the sense of wonder but not in the sense of being sure in such a miracle; I really don't know but I open to the joy of such a gift.
:buck:
if it is not an illusion, it is a fact.
tibetan monks who practise tumo, can dry wet towels in sub zero conditions.
is that a miracle?
kriss angel can go thru a blender, is that a miracle?
there are no miracles.
there a facts n illusions.
miracles are just things that can be done but we cant explain how it is done.
I suppose miracles are possible, but I doubt if they are probably.
I cannot say for sure that the are IMpossible.
There's so much I just do not know.
And belief is not knowledge.
Although .. yes, birdseed often DOES contain sunflower seeds. Birds love sunflower seeds. Hope I didn't spoil it for you!
As we all know birds circle buildings to get height from the tumo powered convection currents. Patterns emerge and animals are effected by the emotional state of those around them . . . Sunflowers can do maths
http://www.popmath.org.uk/rpamaths/rpampages/sunflower.html
I even had two beans stalks that talked to each other. One developed black fly and these attracted ladybirds to the feast. An enjoining stalk wishing to be visited by ladybugs, developed small black dots on its leaves. The ladybugs came and danced for a while . . .
I mean... Why would Buddha need to fly?
Why would he have to put on some kind of show when the dharma speaks for itself?
Miracles come and miracles go... We're on a ball of earth, spinning through the cosmos with seemingly increasing speed. Talk about a miracle!
Everything is a miracle.
But that also makes miracles mundane...
Buddha didn't want to be put out of reach so why would he bother trying to fly?
That said, no, I don't believe in miracles or mysticism.
What were you saying the other day about bunkum?
Miracle:
1. A surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is considered to be divine.
2. A highly improbable or extraordinary event, development, or accomplishment.
To number 1. I say say no, no matter what the spiritual persuasion. If someone feels it's necessary to perform "miracles" to convince people of the validity of their message of peace, love, whatever, then it points to a weakness in the message, the messenger or the audience (or all three). I think your use of the word "magically" says it all. Buy your snake oil here.
To number 2. I say yes, because highly improbable does not equate to divine. I'm thinking of the film "The Miracle Worker", the one about how the deaf-mute Helen Keller was taught to speak. A highly improbable event for the time, never seen before, a miracle to those involved.
I think there may be things called miracles, unexplainable events, that become understood at a later time when human knowledge catches up with them.
- Talking to someone thousands of miles away as if he was just beside you (cellphone)
- A heavy metal object weighing tons (plane) flying like a butterfly
- Someone who was supposed to have died from a cancer somehow became free of the disease
- Dolly the 1st sheep to be conceived without sex
This situation . . .
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/620609.stm
. . . is now creating a new post mortem resuscitation medical program . . .
Turning stones into bread? Why not go to the bakery?
The shroud of Turin is a medieval forgery.
Flying gurus would instantly produce verification for teachings to transcend and overcome suffering. They don't fly. I wonder why?
:wave:
But unlike other religions, miracles are seen as a side-effect at most and not particularly important overall. For some schools of Buddhism, focus on miraculous powers and events is even seen as a distraction and trap to people trying to learn the Dharma.
We live in a universe of cause and effect, so for every effect there must be a cause (force) making it happen. However there has been some interesting developments in quantum Physics, relating to how knowledge is fundamental to our existence and that of the physical universe, through experiments with sub atomic particles. So the science of existence and the Cosmos on the quantum level reveals a miraculous world (our Earth) where consciousness and life exists within a universe of matter and anti matter, where it seems knowledge has a vital part to play.
The OP is really talking about exceptional or 'spooky' stuff . . . but you plant a seed and a flower grows, not a miracle? You guys are hard to please . . .
And yes those sunflowers are my relatives . . . :rolleyes:
Think of everything your vital organs are doing to keep you alive and upright - on their own, with no conscious deliberation, input or influence from you - ; then you'll know and appreciate what a wondrous miracle you actually are.