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Who declares someone a Buddha?
Who is it that states or declares that someone is/was a Buddha? I mean, is there an official body, authority who can name them. A bit like when someone is named a saint?
Also, is it known how many buddhas there have been since Gautama. Is there a list or something?
Thank you
B
Also, is it known how many buddhas there have been since Gautama. Is there a list or something?
Thank you
B
0
Comments
Its a self-declaration.
Unlike the catholic church, the vatican declares the saints.
From http://viewonbuddhism.org/buddha.html
and then, what?
wait for followers to flock to you?
Of course, you could always try to show others the way to achieve the same happiness you did out of compassion, much the same way the Buddha did; but that doesn't really require you to prove anything or to worry about what others may think about you.
So, anyone could state they are a Buddha, but it's better that other people say, that person there, he's a budda (for example).
(pls remember I'm a newbie, I'm not being flippant, just quite basic)
Thank you
B
a Buddha is a mind 100% free of greed, hatred, delusion, fear, self-centredness, etc
so a Buddha is known by their presence, behaviour & actions
for example, if you believe someone to be a Buddha or someone declared they themselves are a Buddha, then we can test them
for example, we can find a vicious dog or the most beautiful woman and set them upon the Buddha declarant
if they exhibit fear or delight then they are not a Buddha
best wishes
I've been here a while, seeing, learning
@Gui how so? Surely me wanting to learn exactly who or what a buddha is is completely relevant to Buddhism? Or maybe I've missed the point
Thank you all so far,
With metta
B
i have been searching for this sutta
Regards,
B
Is that just on earth or are we talking universe/universes here ? Just that I presume that there would be Buddhas on other planets that harbor intelligent life, of course I may be wrong though.
Its just whats taught, I don't know if its right or what it means.
:-/
eh? eh? :sawed:
1) The historical founder of Buddhism. He is called the Buddha by his followers not only because he is liberated, but because he taught a path to liberation for all others. When his teachings are long forgotten by the world, it is expected that some day another will awaken and teach (i.e. be the next Buddha).
2) The word "Buddha" or "buddha" is often used synonymously for a fully liberated or enlightened being, similar to the word "Arahant" that the historical Buddha used to describe a fully liberated mind.
The problem is that traditions use different terms and in different ways. Not only that, but in the Mahayana for instance they do not believe there is an "equivalent" enlightenment to the Buddha; they believe only the singular founder of the teachings (current or future) has eliminated all "delusion". In the Theravada, the historical Buddha equates his enlightenment with the enlightenment of an Arahant, saying both have eliminated all ignorance (which includes all greed, hatred and delusion).
So we should be aware of these issues and differing views. When we're talking about complete liberation from suffering, it's best to walk lightly when we use these terms that can be taken in different ways. We may say we want to be a Buddha, and someone will turn around and tell us it takes aeons and there can only be one... obviously that's a problematic Q&A.
i've recently come to the conclusion that there is only enlightened activity. the verb with no subject.
a buddha is declared by his/her peace of mind. how they move in the world. with wisdom and compassion.
XuánjuéAccording to the Song of Enlightenment (證道歌 Zhèngdào gē) by Yǒngjiā Xuánjué (665-713)[22]—one of the chief disciples of Huìnéng, sixth Patriarch of Chán—Bodhidharma was the 28th Patriarch of Buddhism in a line of descent from Śākyamuni Buddha via his disciple Mahākāśyapa, and the first Patriarch of Chán:
Mahakashyapa was the first, leading the line of transmission;
Twenty-eight Fathers followed him in the West;
The Lamp was then brought over the sea to this country;
And Bodhidharma became the First Father here
His mantle, as we all know, passed over six Fathers,
And by them many minds came to see the Light.[23]
The idea of a line of descent from Śākyamuni Buddha is the basis for the distinctive lineage tradition of the Chán school. :thumbsup:
Full enlightenment, or full liberation, is where the Four Noble Truths have been fully penetrated by the mind. All ignorance/craving abated, the causes for suffering are no longer present; they have been uprooted at the source. There is no greed, hatred or delusion, only clear seeing of reality (clarity). Each tradition has its own terminologies for the depth of liberation... in Theravada there are 4 stages, in Mahayana there are 10 bhumis, and so on. Full enlightenment is the point at which there is nothing further required to escape suffering; it is the complete cessation of the cycle of suffering, the complete unbinding. Nirvana.
That's a description, but it's hard for us to understand because it's so different from our normal mode of thought/being. Enlightened beings have gone beyond likes and dislikes, acquiring a stillness of mind that is undisturbed whatever the circumstances, and yet still acts. Still, flowing water.
If you are from a school of Buddhism that sees a Buddha as one who is transformed into supernatural perfection and powers, then a Buddha is self-evident. If you are from a school of Buddhism where a Buddha is a person who has eliminated selfish desires in his or her mind and comprehended the Dharma as taught by our founder, then there are lots of Buddhas and it's no big deal. It's what Buddhism is designed to produce, after all.
But who awards the Buddha crown on people? That would be his or her followers, in any case. When enough Buddhists agree among themselves that someone was a Buddha, then the title sticks. Democracy in action.
B
was lost.
So, when a buddha appears, he will be the 1st buddhist.
so, i am afraid its not democracy in action.