Sources of A - understanding the Buddha

Question 1

buddha-ology in T tradition

Answer 1

• support historical and symbolic buddha –> represents potentiality for enlightenment even if Sid did not reach it historically
• pali C is words of B
• belief PC has been uncorrupted and has leg due to its origin
• way to enlightenment is buddha’s words (buddhavacana)

Question 2

buddha-ology in M tradition

Answer 2

• anyone can be a buddha, historical
• sid is not the only buddha
• many possible buddhas
• symbolic buddha now provides the model for historical buddha

Question 3

different names of the buddha

Answer 3

• shakyamuni: of the shakyamuni clan
• tathagata: the one who has come and will not return again
• sammasambuddha: didnt need to be taught to reach enlightenment

Question 4

different meanings of the buddha

Answer 4

• historical: human being like ourselves, cush (T)
• symbolic buddha: he who sees the dhamma sees me (pc) –> he becomes the teachings, can follow his life to learn the teachings, given himself a different ontology
• cosmic buddha: other world systems and other buddhas, cush (M)

Question 5

different status of the buddha

Answer 5

• an ordinary man, ‘not god, cannot be contacted’ cush
• T: an extraordinary man, 32 marks of existence of a great being –> basis of early rep of the buddha from the pali canon (thighs like a royal stag)
• semi divine man, being that can be contacted but not god (M)

Question 6

different functions

Answer 6

• a role model
• an archetype
• a teacher - ‘ given us a map but we need to get there ourselves’
• a refuge - buddha, dhamma, sangha
• constant source of wisdom - available in glorious spiritual and heavenly form, cush vs no longer personally accessible to us, gethin –> PC is source of wisdom

Question 7

why are there differences within buddhism

Answer 7

• culture
• time between life and records
• interpretations
• schools
• laity vs sangha

Question 8

why is the buddha a source of wisdom

Answer 8

• knowledge and is wise
• beyond practical wisdom –> self knowledge, interconnectedness, judgement and compassion, existence
• enlightenment, no help, not revelation
• renunciation
• self transcendence (past life)
• experiential, self knowledge (4 sights, ascetic, luxury)
• cause and effect, know how to make decision
• ascetics become instantly enlightened after B teached them showing his is skillful and wise

Question 9

why is the buddha a source of authority

Answer 9

• he is a role model and the first
• has wisdom
• 32 marks of existence of an exceptional being
• he is the dhamma

Question 10

scholars on the buddha as a teacher

Answer 10

• ‘the buddha is dead…it is the responsibility of each individual to sort out his or her own help’ cush
• ‘the buddha gives us a map to nirvana, we must get ourselves there’ cush
• ‘it is vital to not forget that he is one of us’
• ‘the buddha’s teaching is meant not only for monks in monasteries but also for ordinary men and women at home, living with their families’ Rahula

Question 11

theravadin understanding of the Buddha

Answer 11

• HISTORICAL: 2500 years ago, siddhartha Gautama
• was a human, Shakyamuni buddha
• tathagata B, will not return –> not a god, passed into nirvana
• 32 marks of existence, extraordinary
• did not appoint a successor, left only the dhamma –> ‘he who sees the dhamma sees me’ sutta pitta
• ‘buddha gives us a map to nirvana, we must get ourselves there’ denise cush –> 8 fold path, 5 precepts for Sangha and laiety

Question 12

Mahayanan understanding of the Buddha

Answer 12

• he has a ‘glorious and heavenly form’ –> cosmic buddha
• there are multiple buddhas and bodhisattvas who return to help people reach enlightenment
• vairocana Buddha eg

Question 13

M and T shared understanding of the Buddha

Answer 13

• sammasambuddha, taught himself through his experiential wisdom –> 4 sights, luxury vs ascetism
• ‘I have myself found the way, whom shall I call teacher?’
• place of refuge: ‘I go to the Buddha for refuge’
• account of his life can be seen as a haiography: idealised version of his life –> mythical and inspires us to be like him
• he is an archetype for all divisions as he is a central source of wisdom

Question 14

why is the buddha a rolemodel for T Buddhists

Answer 14

• sammasambuddha, highest form of buddha hood and brought the teaching so others can reach enlightenment
• tathagata buddha: beyond dukka (suffering)
• role model as he as authority as a spiritually advanced being
• he is a principle as he is the dhamma
• narrative of B life is meaningful and his authority comes from the dhamma –> historical buddha existing is not important concerning the truth of the dhamma
• can lead a person to nirvana irrespective of shakyamuni buddha –> B emphasised the practical purpose of his teachings, and that they should not be clinged to ‘for the purpose of crossing over, not for the purpose of holding on to’

Question 15

things that show the Buddha is a role model

Answer 15

• he avoided suffering not because he was a cosmic being, but because he was a man who learned –> he is like us (T)
• No leader can effectively create a movement without being a role model
• he gives down to earth pragmatic advice: Sigolavada sutta - ‘take care of your family, respect listen and obey your parents’
• B made no claim to divinity –> affirmed the potential of humanity to reach enlightenment through tremendous effort of heart and mind
• models virtues in jataka tales
• he started from a place of ignorance and through life he found the middle way –> he admits when he is wrong and is able to change his mind (seen with rejection of asceticism)
• dhamma is still relevant as suffering is still a problem and dhamma is universal
• critical of brahmin tradition that says nobility comes from birth –> social justice
• his existence as a historical figure does not determine the strength of the dhamma, his significance transcends this as an archetype for all Buddhists
• deer park sermon: teachings are so powerful they helped 5 immediately reach enlightenment

Question 16

things that show the buddha isnt a role model

Answer 16

• inaccessible as the life of a prince and then as an ascetic is not viable/understandable by most
• buddha stresses about the importance of working things out alone, following him not encouraged?
• all buddhas in M tradition are role models, undermine Shakyamuni ?
• great renunciation of wife and son, rolemodel? –> doesnt represent family values of a religious founder
• self absorbed in life? didnt want to teach until urged by a god –> Bodhisattvas are better role models, enlightenment for all is their goal not just themselves (M)
• Bs take refuge in him as a place of saftey and security –> Buddha is more than a role model
• can we trust stories? myths and legends can be written in to make shak B look better