So, lets get down to business. There is no hard evidence that Gautama Buddha ever existed. Buddhist historians can cite this source and that source, writings by people who supposedly knew him and all many other things, but what it comes down to secondhand knowledge. Even the years of his birth and death are debated. The point is moot anyway since Gautama wasnt the only Buddha, According to scripture, Buddhas have been around since time incalculable, and the sutras even mention a few Buddhas how came before Gautama. Just as theres no evidence that Jesus of Nazareth existed, or Krishna or Hercules, there is no evidence that someone matching Gautamas description ever walked the earth. One could think of these people as archetypes, passed down throughout the generations... the wise hero. They represent a need to live up to our fullest potential. Then we throw a bunch of mystical powers onto the symbol to make it even more attractive to us. That being said, the Buddha most certainly exists, though he or she probably doesnt think in such terms. Buddha simply means awakened one, or something like that. Anyone has the Potential of such, thus all beings are Buddha, the nature of all beings is that of being Awake, being aware on a fundamental level. Living without being hindered by views, attachment, aversion and ignorance. Thats the fundamental nature... nothing extra.
Posted on: Tue, 02 Sep 2014 04:00:33 +0000
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