4 ms·

Yes he did, it’s in the Lotus sutra and Lankavatara sutras, to name two. Perhaps you’re a Pali canon fundamentalist or something but thats not my problem, what

Yes he did, it’s in the Lotus sutra and Lankavatara sutras, to name two. Perhaps you’re a Pali canon fundamentalist or something but thats not my problem, what I’m saying is orthodox Mahayana: Buddhas can create bodies and are basically omnipotent in the Mahayana. The lotus sutra even says that the Buddha faked his appearance on this Earth so that the sravakas would have a nice narrative to believe in Also the fact you said meditate makes me think you are quite ignorant about Buddhism. Most Buddhists don’t meditate, the idea that most do is a western misconception. I’m a pure land Buddhist, which is the most popular in the world, and we mainly engage in recitation and offerings and bowing EDIT and I understand it may just be ignorance but it’s highly offensive to characterise traditional Mahayana Buddhist beliefs as some kind of children’s show. This is effectively slandering the Dharma

FrustratedMonky 3y ago
'fundamentalist'? Frankly, that is how you sound. To tell people that buddhas have supernatural powers, and take that literally, is turning people away from the teaching. 'Faking' his appearance? Being omnipotent in this physical world? Able to manipulate this world? You are supposed to understand that those are metaphors. Stories, not truth. Language is imperfect and only points the way, not to be taken literally. A core teaching is how imperfect language is, and that even the sutras should be only taken as a rough guide and eventually abandoned when they no longer serve a purpose. You can cite sutras, that doesn't mean you understand them. I fear that publishing these concepts as if an authority is damaging to people. Meditate, prayer, recitation/mantras. Call it what you want. Concentration/Samadhi is part of the 8-fold path. That you would say that is not part of Buddhism is frankly making me think this whole thing is a Troll. Maybe you can make some argument that concentration in every moment is meditation, so you don't need to sit. But to say most Buddhist don't? Come on. You know enough Buddhist terms to Troll someone on the internet. But this is damaging. Someone could read what you say and think that is Buddhism and be turned away or mislead. Also, there is no such thing as slander to Buddhist, like there is some god in a Church that is taking offense. I guess we all get offended by things, and what I said was offensive, wrong speech. Just not technically 'slander'.
- bowsamic 3y ago
  > To tell people that buddhas have supernatural powers, and take that literally, is turning people away from the teaching. No it isn't, it's literally the sutras say and what a vast majority of Buddhists actually believe. > You are supposed to understand that those are metaphors. Stories, not truth. Then why don't we see this reflected in traditional teachings? This is a modern western reinterpretation, so called "secular Buddhism". Supernatural powers are well documented in Buddhism and even today in Tibetan Buddhism. > Concentration/Samadhi is part of the 8-fold path. A vast majority of Buddhists are relying on Amida's path for salvation through the Pure Land and/or producing merit for a better rebirth though, they don't practise such things in this lifetime. > You know enough Buddhist terms to Troll someone on the internet. But this is damaging. Someone could read what you say and think that is Buddhism and be turned away or mislead. Well, I'm right, and it sounds like I've actually researched, studied, and practised Buddhism more than you. > Also, there is no such thing as slander to Buddhist Yes there is, it's even included in Amida's 18th vow: > Excluded, however, are those who commit the Five Gravest Transgressions and slander the right Dharma. and is mentioned throughout the Lotus sutra. For example the whole basis of Nichiren's theology is that those who slander the Buddhadharma will be reborn in avicci hell. What you are presenting is a very inaccurate view of the Buddhadharma. Let me set some facts in order: * The sutras do teach extensively of supernatural powers * The sutras do teach extensively of both mind-only philosophy and anti-physicalism (in both the sravakayana and the Mahayana!) * There is no evidence that those aspects of the sutras should not be taken literally * Those aspects of the sutras are indeed taken literally by most Buddhists historically * Most Buddhists in the world follow paths that don't involve meditation/samadhi/concentration * Buddhism ultimately even has no concept of metaphor vs. literal, since everything is emptiness anyway, so already it denies the fundamental reality of anything If you are actually willing to learn about Buddhism, not just some western misconception of it, I am willing to point you to resources... however from what you say I have a feeling you will just abuse the teaching, and likely be reborn in Hell, due to your fundamentalist religious belief, therefore I will not pass on any resources to you beyond what I did unless you can somehow prove to me that you won't abuse it It's okay if YOU don't want to believe those things, but going around and telling others that they are wrong for accurately portraying the Dharma is unwise. Please do more research, ideally with an actual teacher

FrustratedMonky 3y ago

'fundamentalist'? Frankly, that is how you sound. To tell people that buddhas have supernatural powers, and take that literally, is turning people away from the teaching. 'Faking' his appearance? Being omnipotent in this physical world? Able to manipulate this world? You are supposed to understand that those are metaphors. Stories, not truth. Language is imperfect and only points the way, not to be taken literally. A core teaching is how imperfect language is, and that even the sutras should be only taken as a rough guide and eventually abandoned when they no longer serve a purpose. You can cite sutras, that doesn't mean you understand them. I fear that publishing these concepts as if an authority is damaging to people. Meditate, prayer, recitation/mantras. Call it what you want. Concentration/Samadhi is part of the 8-fold path. That you would say that is not part of Buddhism is frankly making me think this whole thing is a Troll. Maybe you can make some argument that concentration in every moment is meditation, so you don't need to sit. But to say most Buddhist don't? Come on. You know enough Buddhist terms to Troll someone on the internet. But this is damaging. Someone could read what you say and think that is Buddhism and be turned away or mislead. Also, there is no such thing as slander to Buddhist, like there is some god in a Church that is taking offense. I guess we all get offended by things, and what I said was offensive, wrong speech. Just not technically 'slander'.

bowsamic 3y ago
> To tell people that buddhas have supernatural powers, and take that literally, is turning people away from the teaching. No it isn't, it's literally the sutras say and what a vast majority of Buddhists actually believe. > You are supposed to understand that those are metaphors. Stories, not truth. Then why don't we see this reflected in traditional teachings? This is a modern western reinterpretation, so called "secular Buddhism". Supernatural powers are well documented in Buddhism and even today in Tibetan Buddhism. > Concentration/Samadhi is part of the 8-fold path. A vast majority of Buddhists are relying on Amida's path for salvation through the Pure Land and/or producing merit for a better rebirth though, they don't practise such things in this lifetime. > You know enough Buddhist terms to Troll someone on the internet. But this is damaging. Someone could read what you say and think that is Buddhism and be turned away or mislead. Well, I'm right, and it sounds like I've actually researched, studied, and practised Buddhism more than you. > Also, there is no such thing as slander to Buddhist Yes there is, it's even included in Amida's 18th vow: > Excluded, however, are those who commit the Five Gravest Transgressions and slander the right Dharma. and is mentioned throughout the Lotus sutra. For example the whole basis of Nichiren's theology is that those who slander the Buddhadharma will be reborn in avicci hell. What you are presenting is a very inaccurate view of the Buddhadharma. Let me set some facts in order: * The sutras do teach extensively of supernatural powers * The sutras do teach extensively of both mind-only philosophy and anti-physicalism (in both the sravakayana and the Mahayana!) * There is no evidence that those aspects of the sutras should not be taken literally * Those aspects of the sutras are indeed taken literally by most Buddhists historically * Most Buddhists in the world follow paths that don't involve meditation/samadhi/concentration * Buddhism ultimately even has no concept of metaphor vs. literal, since everything is emptiness anyway, so already it denies the fundamental reality of anything If you are actually willing to learn about Buddhism, not just some western misconception of it, I am willing to point you to resources... however from what you say I have a feeling you will just abuse the teaching, and likely be reborn in Hell, due to your fundamentalist religious belief, therefore I will not pass on any resources to you beyond what I did unless you can somehow prove to me that you won't abuse it It's okay if YOU don't want to believe those things, but going around and telling others that they are wrong for accurately portraying the Dharma is unwise. Please do more research, ideally with an actual teacher