the historical buddha

The historical BuddhaThe historical Buddha

Did he exist? Does it matter?Did he exist? Does it matter?


Why did it become fashionable to doubt the Why did it become fashionable to doubt the existence of Jesus and the Buddha?existence of Jesus and the Buddha?What have archaeologists found to suggest that What have archaeologists found to suggest that the Buddha really existed?the Buddha really existed?Why might Buddhist’s be ambivalent about the Why might Buddhist’s be ambivalent about the historical Buddha?historical Buddha?Why is Gautama’s point of view that the Why is Gautama’s point of view that the “Dharma will be your guide” an important one?“Dharma will be your guide” an important one?What experience does the authority from which What experience does the authority from which the Buddha speaks hinge on?the Buddha speaks hinge on?


Could the Buddha be irrelevant even to Could the Buddha be irrelevant even to Theravada Buddhists?Theravada Buddhists?

Why do some Buddhists schools perform Why do some Buddhists schools perform acts of devotion and worship?acts of devotion and worship?

Do Buddhist teachings stand by Do Buddhist teachings stand by themselves?themselves?

Mahayana BuddhologyMahayana Buddhology

Once a historical event has taken place, Once a historical event has taken place, many of the precise details gradually fade many of the precise details gradually fade in the minds of those who were present, in the minds of those who were present, and speculation arises in the minds of and speculation arises in the minds of those who did not witness the event.those who did not witness the event.

The life of the Buddha is no exceptionThe life of the Buddha is no exception


The issue of the Buddha as a superman The issue of the Buddha as a superman was one cause of the schism in the was one cause of the schism in the Buddhist community, which gave rise to Buddhist community, which gave rise to the Mahasanghikas school.the Mahasanghikas school.

They produced a huge biography of the They produced a huge biography of the Buddha in which the founder appears as a Buddha in which the founder appears as a classic hero with supernatural powers.classic hero with supernatural powers.


In later works produced by other Buddhist In later works produced by other Buddhist schools, the Buddha is even more than a schools, the Buddha is even more than a super hero and his life story as Gautama super hero and his life story as Gautama is portrayed simply as a play in which the is portrayed simply as a play in which the cosmic principle Buddha manifests himself cosmic principle Buddha manifests himself in order to show all beings the way out of in order to show all beings the way out of samsaric experience.samsaric experience.


In some other later works, The Buddha In some other later works, The Buddha becomes a transcendent being, described becomes a transcendent being, described as a cloud risen above the world which as a cloud risen above the world which envelops the earth. His earthly life as envelops the earth. His earthly life as Gautama, including his nirvana, is seen as Gautama, including his nirvana, is seen as an illusion projected onto the earth.an illusion projected onto the earth.


All Buddhist schools speak in places of more All Buddhist schools speak in places of more than one Buddha. Gautama was simply the one than one Buddha. Gautama was simply the one for the age we are studying (kalpa or aeon of for the age we are studying (kalpa or aeon of time) and there have been and will be others.time) and there have been and will be others.

The Trikaya or three Body Doctrine was The Trikaya or three Body Doctrine was developed in the 3developed in the 3rdrd – 4 – 4thth centuries C.E. and part centuries C.E. and part of the philosophy holds the belief that there are of the philosophy holds the belief that there are many worlds, each with a Buddha!many worlds, each with a Buddha!

The Three Body Doctrine or The Three Body Doctrine or TRIKAYATRIKAYA

DharmakayaDharmakaya

SambhogakayaSambhogakaya

Nirmanakaya Nirmanakaya


The function of the Buddha’s in this The function of the Buddha’s in this Mahayana philosophy is three fold:-Mahayana philosophy is three fold:-

1.To teach the Bodhisattvas1.To teach the Bodhisattvas

2.To be Lords of Paradise – Pure Land 2.To be Lords of Paradise – Pure Land Buddhism in ChinaBuddhism in China

3.To father earthly Buddha’s.3.To father earthly Buddha’s.

the historical buddha

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