| Jun 18, 2007 @ 6:46 PM |
A disscussion on Buddhism
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onoudn
Posts: 6,354
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What is Buddhism
What I have practiced is a form of Buddhism called Nichiren Sho Shu
Members of the SGI practice the Buddhism taught by Nichiren, a 13th Century Japanese priest whose philosophy centered around the final teaching of the first historically recognized Buddha ( also know as Siddhartha Gautama or Shakyamuni Buddha)).
This teaching, called the Lotus Sutra, declares that all living beings have the potential to attain enlightenment or Buddhahood.
The practice centers around chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo.
While many think that we pray to a " fat guy" this is not true. We chant to an object of worship called a Gohonzon.
This is part of a basic practice explained here.
Sgi members follow the teachings of Nichiren.
Most of Nichiren's teaching come in the form of writings called Gosho's
One of my favorite passages of these gosho's is:
When deluded, one is called an ordinary being, but when enlightened, one is called a Buddha. This is similar to a tarnished mirror that will shine like a jewel when polished. A mind now clouded by the illusions of the innate darkness of life is like a tarnished mirror, but when polished, it is sure to become like a clear mirror, reflecting the essential nature of phenomena and the true aspect of reality. Arouse deep faith, and diligently polish your mirror day and night. How should you polish it? Only by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
Nichiren, Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime
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| Jun 18, 2007 @ 6:58 PM |
A disscussion on Buddhism |
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12knots
Posts: 6,400
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Excellent Ono!
[Edited on 6/18/2007 7:21 PM]
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| Jun 18, 2007 @ 7:16 PM |
A disscussion on Buddhism
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joe_kerr
Posts: 781
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This should be interesting, so keep it going while I sit back and relax with a bowl of popcorn.
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| Jun 18, 2007 @ 10:45 PM |
A disscussion on Buddhism |
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onoudn
Posts: 6,354
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The picture represent a person in the relative darkness before chanting.
HOBEN CHAPTER OF THE LOTUS SUTRA
[Edited on 6/18/2007 11:02 PM]
[Edited on 6/18/2007 11:48 PM]
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| Jun 20, 2007 @ 3:33 PM |
A disscussion on Buddhism
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joe_kerr
Posts: 781
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As only buddhas can fathom the incomprehensible Supreme Reality they can only share it among themselves.
In this instance, does buddha refer to followers of Buddha or anyone who finds enlightment, regardless of who they followed or how they found it?
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| Jun 20, 2007 @ 4:08 PM |
A disscussion on Buddhism |
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onoudn
Posts: 6,354
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As only buddhas can fathom the incomprehensible Supreme Reality they can only share it among themselves.
You are asking a question about the supreme reality that only buddhas can share among themselves. That is not something I can explain to you. I can explain to you my personal experience but I have a lot to learn. As long as you understand that I will answer with my limited abilities what you asked? I don't think there is any other way to "fathom the incomprehensible Supreme Reality" other than chanting NAM-MYOHO-RENGE-KYO.....
As the writing of Nichiren Daishonin state:
When deluded, one is called an ordinary being, but when enlightened, one is called a Buddha. This is similar to a tarnished mirror that will shine like a jewel when polished. A mind now clouded by the illusions of the innate darkness of life is like a tarnished mirror, but when polished, it is sure to become like a clear mirror, reflecting the essential nature of phenomena and the true aspect of reality. Arouse deep faith, and diligently polish your mirror day and night. How should you polish it? Only by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
[Edited on 6/20/2007 4:17 PM]
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| Jun 20, 2007 @ 4:34 PM |
A disscussion on Buddhism
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joe_kerr
Posts: 781
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You're misunderstanding my question. I simply want to know what the definition of buddha is as refered to in this sentence, As only buddhas can fathom the incomprehensible Supreme Reality they can only share it among themselves.
Is it a) a follower of Buddha, or b) anyone who finds enlightment?
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| Jun 20, 2007 @ 4:49 PM |
A disscussion on Buddhism |
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12knots
Posts: 6,400
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Joe,
definition of a Buddha is someone who is "Awakened" or commonly known as "enlightened" although this is a misnomer.
What a Buddha or awakened Being knows and experiences can only be shared amongst themselves because it is similar to saying that only a Theoretical Physicist can expound theoretical physics to their level.
Anyone can reach Buddhahood. Often i see people talking of levels of "enlightenment". This too is a misnomer compared to actual enlightenment of a Buddha.
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| Jun 20, 2007 @ 5:14 PM |
A disscussion on Buddhism
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joe_kerr
Posts: 781
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So a buddha (or Buddha) is simply an awakened person, but not necessarily a follower of Buddhist teachings, correct?
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| Jun 20, 2007 @ 5:22 PM |
A disscussion on Buddhism |
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onoudn
Posts: 6,354
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.... quoting from the Hoben chapter of the Lotus Sutra.
Shariputra. The Buddha has completely fulfilled all that has been required of him to date, therefore, the only teaching that remains unrevealed is the infinite, boundless, unprecedented Reality. As such, it would be reasonable for us to stop here, Shariputra, for there is nothing else left to say. Why? Because the most precious and rare Reality which the Buddha has acquired is too difficult for mortal minds to understand. As only buddhas can fathom the incomprehensible Supreme Reality they can only share it among themselves
And it is correct that a follower of the teachings is not necessarily a Budhha.
as i stated I don't think there is any other way to "fathom the incomprehensible Supreme Reality" other than chanting NAM-MYOHO-RENGE-KYO.... but thats just my personal experience speaking. .
[Edited on 6/20/2007 5:33 PM]
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| Jun 20, 2007 @ 5:39 PM |
A disscussion on Buddhism
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12knots
Posts: 6,400
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So a buddha (or Buddha) is simply an awakened person, but not necessarily a follower of Buddhist teachings, correct?
This is correct but not "simply". The chances of anyone becoming a Buddha without knowledges appertaining to such a path to bring about Buddhahood is so rare you would be asking a microbe to expound Einsteins Theory of Relativity. The reasons for this are vast.
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| Jun 20, 2007 @ 5:49 PM |
A disscussion on Buddhism |
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onoudn
Posts: 6,354
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Well said 12, it seems like the question is meant to ask if other teachings, such as the bible, or of other great thinkers can lead to enlightenment..its a very pertinent question by the way
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| Jun 21, 2007 @ 4:31 PM |
A disscussion on Buddhism
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joe_kerr
Posts: 781
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This is the sentence I'm interested in:
While these buddhas continuously advance their various teachings, they are ever-mindful of their ultimate goal: to be able to reveal the one Reality that is virtually impossible for anyone but a buddha to comprehend.
To me, this implies that Buddhism has practically cornered the market on enlightment, and the odds are highly against anyone attaining enlightment without being a Buddhist.
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| Jun 21, 2007 @ 4:51 PM |
A disscussion on Buddhism |
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12knots
Posts: 6,400
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Joe, I think you mis-understand the paragraph. The "Goal: is what can not be comprehended by anyone but a Buddha.
Meaning you have to "become" a Buddha to understand it.
Anyone can become a Buddha and do so.
And "Buddha" means "awakened". "Enlightened".
Anyone can become awakened or enlightened but only these people can understand what it means to be awakened.
To describe colours of the rainbow to someone who has been blind since birth is nigh impossible to do.
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| Jun 21, 2007 @ 4:57 PM |
A disscussion on Buddhism
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onoudn
Posts: 6,354
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“Why is that so? All buddhas are in league with one another as they each had been in service to one hundred, one thousand, ten thousand, one million, even countless numbers of buddhas. Because throughout all time they apply innumerable ways to procure buddha-wisdom, they are known among all realms of existence for devotedly exerting themselves, awakening seekers and teaching their various doctrines — wherever the opportunities to do so present themselves. While these buddhas [continuously] advance their [various] teachings, [they are ever-mindful of] their ultimate goal: to be able to reveal the one [Perfectly Endowed] Reality that is virtually impossible for anyone but a buddha to comprehend.
" While these buddhas continuously advance their various teachings, they are ever-mindful of their ultimate goal: to be able to reveal the on Perfectly Endowed Reality that is virtually impossible for anyone but the buddhas to comprehend."
Have Buddhist cornered the market on elightenment? I think this is a question that is best answered between those that are seeking to attain elightenment. Thats how I read it.
[Edited on 6/21/2007 5:07 PM]
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| Jun 21, 2007 @ 5:47 PM |
A disscussion on Buddhism |
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joe_kerr
Posts: 781
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And "Buddha" means "awakened". "Enlightened".
This I understand, but when you capitalize buddha, it leads me to believe you're speaking of one who has followed the teachings of Buddha, hence a Buddhist. So I suppose my question should be this: does the term buddha only apply to those who have attained enlightenment under the guidance of Buddhism, or is it a relative term that refers to anyone who has attained enlightenment?
Example: When one says, "I am a Christian" I believe this person to be a follower of Christ. If one where to say, "I am a buddha" I would believe this person to be an adherent to Buddhism.
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| Jun 21, 2007 @ 6:12 PM |
A disscussion on Buddhism
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12knots
Posts: 6,400
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"Buddha" is a sanskrit word having equivalant meaning to "Awakened". The English language use the word "Awakened". We all wake up after sleep. But we use the word in context.
I dare say if a westerner who is non-buddhist would say "Awakened" or even another term besides "Enlightened".
No one, who's path to Buddhahood or became a Buddha would say "I am a Buddha". No Buddha would say I am a Buddhist. (It is the nature of being a Buddha).
Buddhist do not follow Buddha in the same sense as a Christian follows Christ. The Buddha, his name Siddhartha Gotama, taught for "ourselves" to become a Buddha not to "follow" (Christian sense) Buddha.
Buddha... is a state of Being. Not a person or an object. Anyone can become a Buddha and if they so wish to use the word Buddha is entirely up to them. There is no monopoly over being a Buddha or Buddhism.
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| Jun 21, 2007 @ 6:24 PM |
A disscussion on Buddhism |
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joe_kerr
Posts: 781
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Very good explanation. 
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| Jun 21, 2007 @ 9:27 PM |
A disscussion on Buddhism
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onoudn
Posts: 6,354
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I agree excellent answer 12not.
I was thinking about this question a little. I wanted to comment a little on attaining elightenment. I will preface with mentioning first that 12nots intellectual understanding of the Buddhist philosopy is far and above my own. It is very impressive. What I want to add is more along the lines of my personal experience.
You may remember that I provided what I mentioned was one of my farorite gosho's "On Attaining Enlightenment". The passage I provided says that, while deluded, a person is an ordinary individual. It also refers to a mind that is deluded being like a tarnished mirror. It explains that you can polish this mirror, or your deluded mind, by chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo.
Buddhist of the Nichiren Sho Shu sect believe that we as humans are in a state of mind within what is called the ten worlds at any given moment. I won't go into all of the ten world right now except elightenment, which is thought to be the highest state of mind one can reach.
For me when I chant Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo I attain elightenment for the time that I am chanting. In otherword I fuse my life with the supreme state of elightenment. However, when I stop my state of life reverts back to the dominate state. Which coud be any state lover than the state of enlightenment. As explain here.
Its a long explanation to go into the ten worlds.
Elightenment is explained here.
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| Jun 22, 2007 @ 12:28 AM |
A disscussion on Buddhism |
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joe_kerr
Posts: 781
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For me when I chant Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo I attain elightenment for the time that I am chanting.
What is the meaning of Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo?
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