Gautama Siddhartha

[Still_Waters]

Originally Posted by AbodhiSky

it's evolved over time into a wonderous thing that's for sure. many different schools, something for everyone and all types. i would say a very large group of insightful people provided what we now know as buddhism, many different people over many centuries. buddha did no writing and of course did not invent a religion. he did however start a group of male and female monastics which he gave very strict rules of conduct to. all the writing down of ideas, not from buddha. it's very similar to christianity and jesus. many very insightful people who came after jesus created christianity.

You are absolutely correct that neither Buddha nor Jesus wrote anything down. As you also noted, Buddha "did however start a group of male and female monastics". I am not sure exactly what the Buddha's directives were regarding the "very strict rules of conduct to all the writing down of ideas". Could you elaborate on that as it makes sense but I am not conversant in those directives.

The actual writings for both Buddhism and Christianity came later by others and it is not always clear how insightful/accurate those writings were. In any case, it does appear that the teachings of the Buddha were preserved relatively intact.

[BigJohn]

As far as Buddha's teachings being preserved intact: some of the teachings were not all preserved.

It is claimed by many scholars that some of his teachings still have not been translated into English and regarding his English translations, there are not many English translations so as to be able to compare translations.

[pixiedust]

Originally Posted by Still_Waters

Hi Pixiedust,

I find these groups through word-of-mouth. I go to a group, connect with some of the deeper participants, exchange phone numbers, and they tell me about other groups that might be of interest and/or they invite me to a group that they are forming.

It's interesting that you should mention the book "Siddhartha" by Herman Hesse as it is one of the readings that participants in the "Buddhism for Sufis" group decided (by poll) as the first reading. I've read it in the past and there is a good movie based on the book.

One of my favorite Buddhist books was given to me years ago by a Buddhist friend from Sri Lanka. It is "The Buddha and His Teachings" by Narada Maha Thera (Buddhist Publication Society , Kandy, Sri Lanka, 1980). It is based on the Pali Canon, the oldest written version of the Buddhist teachings that had previously been passed down orally. When I brought it with me to a nearby Burmese Buddhist house-monastery in Brooklyn, the Abbot indicated that they use the same book ... except their version is in Pali (or some other language as I don't recall exactly).

On one of my trips to India in the 1980s, I was able to visit Sarnath (before it became commercialized) near Benares/Varanasi where Buddha gave his first sermon on the Four Noble Truths at Deer Park. It was an unforgettable experience as the energy there was awesome and the monks there were very eager to share (through a translator, of course).

Thank you for sharing this, Still_Waters.

I appreciate that. Buddhism is a very deep and insightful school and respected for very good reason.

Same goes for Sufism.

[pixiedust]

Originally Posted by Still_Waters

You are absolutely correct that neither Buddha nor Jesus wrote anything down. As you also noted, Buddha "did however start a group of male and female monastics". I am not sure exactly what the Buddha's directives were regarding the "very strict rules of conduct to all the writing down of ideas". Could you elaborate on that as it makes sense but I am not conversant in those directives.

The actual writings for both Buddhism and Christianity came later by others and it is not always clear how insightful/accurate those writings were. In any case, it does appear that the teachings of the Buddha were preserved relatively intact.

Yes I agree that Buddha's teachings were preserved and intact.

I believe AbodhiSky is talking about the 8 precepts that Theravadan monastics maintain.

"To summarise, following anthropologist Barend Jan Terwiel's translation from Pāli language used in Thai ceremonies:

I undertake [to observe] the rule of abstinence from taking life
I undertake [to observe] the rule of abstinence from taking what is not given
I undertake [to observe] the rule of abstinence from unchastity
I undertake [to observe] the rule of abstinence from false speech
I undertake [to observe] the rule of abstinence from intoxicants which cause a careless frame of mind
I undertake [to observe] the rule of abstinence from taking food at the wrong time
I undertake [to observe] the rule of abstinence from dancing, music, visiting shows, flowers, make-up, the wearing of ornaments and decorations
I undertake [to observe] the rule of abstinence from a tall, high sleeping place."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eight_precepts

Originally Posted by pixiedust

I undertake [to observe] the rule of abstinence from dancing, music,

That one reminded me of the movie "Footloose." A city teenager moves to a small town where rock music and dancing have been banned.

[sentient]

Still Waters …
Had read about the 10 directions and the 6 realms, but 10 Realms ….
That is new – thank you.

*

[sky]

Originally Posted by sentient

Still Waters …
Had read about the 10 directions and the 6 realms, but 10 Realms ….
That is new – thank you.

*

Then,

https://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/...agga/loka.html

[sky]

Originally Posted by AbodhiSky

That one reminded me of the movie "Footloose." A city teenager moves to a small town where rock music and dancing have been banned.

These training rules are observed by laypeople during periods of intensive meditation practice and during uposatha (lunar observance) days.

https://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/...atthasila.html

[Still_Waters]

Originally Posted by BigJohn

As far as Buddha's teachings being preserved intact: some of the teachings were not all preserved.

It is claimed by many scholars that some of his teachings still have not been translated into English and regarding his English translations, there are not many English translations so as to be able to compare translations.

As you duly noted, it is not clear how much of the Buddha's teachings were preserved.

However, it is my feeling that there is a sufficient amount of translated teachings of the Buddha available at this time to serve as a very good guide to the process of "awakening".

[Still_Waters]

Originally Posted by sentient

Still Waters …
Had read about the 10 directions and the 6 realms, but 10 Realms ….
That is new – thank you.

*

I personally don't get into the 6 realms or the 10 realms or any other metaphysical speculation in accordance with the Buddha's Noble Silence on such matters. To the best of my understanding, the various "realms" (states of consciousness) were not part of Buddha's teachings.

I focus more on the methodology to directly experience those "states" myself. I think that the next "Buddhism for Sufis" group discussion will start to shift into the HOW in keeping with the Buddha's teachings.