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>>>I >>>BUDDHIST SCRIPTURES: >>> >>>Historical criticism has proved that the original >>>teachings of Buddha can never be known. It seems that >>>Gautama Buddha’s teachings were memorized by his >>>disciples. After Buddha’s death a council was held at >>>Rajagaha so that the words of Buddha could be recited >>>and agreed upon. There were differences of opinion >and >>>conflicting memories in the council. Opinion of >>>Kayshapa and Ananda who were prominent disciples of >>>Buddha were given preference. A hundred years later, >a >>>second council at Vesali was held. Only after 400 >>>years, after the death of Buddha were his teachings >>>and doctrines written down. Little attention was paid >>>regarding its authenticity, genuineness and purity. >>> >>>Buddhist Scriptures can be divided into Pali and >>>Sanskrit Literature: >>> >>> >>>A. >>>Pali Literature : >>> >>>The Pali literature was monopolized by the Hinayana >>>sect of Buddhism. >>> >>>Tri Pitaka >>> >>>The most important of all Buddhist scriptures is the >>>TRI-PITAKA which is in Pali text. It is supposed to >be >>>the earliest recorded Buddhist literature which was >>>written in the 1st Century B.C. >>> >>>The TRI-PITAKA or Three Baskets of law is composed of >>>3 books: >>> >>> >>>1. >>>Vinaya Pitaka: ‘Rules of Conduct’ >>> >>>his is a boTok of discipline and mainly deals with >>>rules of the order. >>> >>>2. >>>Sutta Pitaka: ‘Discourses’ >>> >>>It is a collection of sermons and discourses of >>>Gautama Buddha and the incidents in his life. It is >>>the most important Pitaka and consists of five >>>divisions known as Nikayas. Dhammapada is the most >>>famous Pali literature and contains aphorisms and >>>short statements covering the truth. >>> >>>3. >>>Abhidhamma: ‘Analysis of Doctrine’ >>> >>>This third basket contains meta physical doctrines >and >>>is known as Buddhist meta physicals. It is an >>>analytical and logical elaboration of the first two >>>pitakas. It contains analysis and exposition of >>>Buddhist doctrine. >>> >>>B. >>>Sanskrit Literature: >>> >>>Sanskrit literature was preferred by the Mahayana. >>>Sanskrit literature has not been reduced to a >>>collection or in Cannon like the Pali literature. >Thus >>>much of the original Sanskrit literature has been >>>lost. Some were translated into other languages like >>>Chinese and are now being re-translated into >>Sanskrit. >>> >>>1. >>>Maha vastu: ‘Sublime Story’ >>> >>>Mahavastu is the most famous work in Sanskrit which >>>has been restored from its Chinese translation. It >>>consists of voluminous collection of legendary >>>stories. >>> >>>2. >>>Lalitavistara >>> >>>Lalitavistara is one of the holiest of the Sanskrit >>>literature. It belongs to the first century C.E., 500 >>>years after the death of Buddha. It contains the >>>miracles which the superstition loving people have >>>attributed to Buddha. >>> >>>II >>>TEACHINGS OF BUDDHA: >>> >>>A. >>>Noble Truths: >>> >>>The principal teachings of Gautama Buddha can be >>>summarised in what the Buddhists call the ‘Four Noble >>>Truths’: >>> >>>First – There is suffering and misery in life . >>> >>>Second – The cause of this suffering and misery is >>>desire. >>> >>>Third – Suffering and misery can be removed by >>>removing desire. >>> >>>Fourth – Desire can be removed by following the Eight >>>Fold Path. >>> >>> >>>B. >>>The Noble Eight Fold Path: >>> >>>(i) Right Views >>> >>>(ii) Right Thoughts >>> >>>(iii) Right Speech >>> >>>(iv) Right Actions >>> >>>(v) Right Livelihood >>> >>>(vi) Right Efforts >>> >>>(vii) Right Mindfulness >>> >>>(viii) Right Meditation >>> >>> >>>C. >>>Nirvana: >>> >>>Nirvana' literally means "blowing out" or >>>"extinction". According to Buddhism, this is the >>>ultimate goal of life and can be described in various >>>words. It is a cessation of all sorrows, which can be >>>achieved by removing desire by following the Eight >>>Fold Path. >>> >>>III >>>PHILOSOPHY OF BUDDHISM IS SELF – CONTRADICTORY: >>> >>>As mentioned earlier, the main teachings of Buddhism >>>are summarised in the Four Noble Truths: >>> >>>(i) There is suffering and misery in life. >>> >>>(ii) The cause of suffering and misery is desire. >>> >>>(iii) Suffering and misery can be removed by removing >>>desire. >>> >>>(iv) Desire can be removed by following the Eight >Fold >>>Path. >>> >>>This Philosophy of Buddhism is self-contradictory or >>>self-defeating because the third truth says >‘suffering >>>and misery can be removed by removing desire’ and the >>>fourth truth says that 'desire can be removed by >>>following the Eight Fold Path'. >>> >>>Now, for any person to follow Buddhism he should >first >>>have the desire to follow the Four Noble Truths and >>>the Eight Fold Path. The Third great Noble Truth says >>>that desire should be removed. Once you remove >desire, >>>how can we follow the Fourth Noble truth i.e. follow >>>the Eight Fold Path unless we have a desire to follow >>>the Eight Fold Path. In short desire can only be >>>removed by having a desire to follow the Eight Fold >>>Path. If you do not follow the Eight Fold Path, >desire >>>cannot be removed. It is self contradicting as well >as >>>self-defeating to say that desire will only be >removed >>>by continuously having a desire. >>> >>> >>>IV >>>CONCEPT OF GOD >>> >>>Buddha was silent about the existence or >non-existence >>>of God. It may be that since India was drowned in >idol >>>worship and anthropomorphism that a sudden step to >>>monotheism would have been drastic and hence Buddha >>>may have chosen to remain silent on the issue of God. >>>He did not deny the existence of God. Buddha was once >>>asked by a disciple whether God exists? He refused to >>>reply. When pressed, he said that if you are >suffering >>>from a stomach ache would you concentrate on >relieving >>>the pain or studying the prescription of the >>>physician. "It is not my business or yours to find >out >>>whether there is God – our business is to remove the >>>sufferings of the world". >>> >>>Buddhism provided Dhamma or the ‘impersonal law’ in >>>place of God. However this could not satisfy the >>>craving of human beings and the religion of self-help >>>had to be converted into a religion of promise and >>>hope. The Hinayana sect could not hold out any >promise >>>of external help to the people. The Mahayana sect >>>taught that Buddha’s watchful and compassionate eyes >>>are on all miserable beings, thus making a God out of >>>Buddha. Many scholars consider the evolution of God >>>within Buddhism as an effect of Hinduism. >>> >>>Many Buddhists adopted the local god and thus the >>>religion of ‘No-God’ was transformed into the >religion >>>of ‘Many-Gods’ – big and small, strong and weak and >>>male and female. The ‘Man-God’ appears on earth in >>>human form and incarnates from time to time. Buddha >>>was against the caste-system prevalent in the Hindu >>>society. >>> >>> >>>V >>>MUHAMMAD (PBUH) IN BUDDHIST SCRIPTURES: >>> >>>1. >>>Buddha prophesised the advent of a Maitreya: >>> >>>A) >>>Almost all Buddhist books contain this prophecy. It >is >>>in Chakkavatti Sinhnad Suttanta D. III, 76: >>> >>>"There will arise in the world a Buddha named >Maitreya >>>(the benevolent one) a holy one, a supreme one, an >>>enlightened one, endowed with wisdom in conduct, >>>auspicious, knowing the universe: >>> >>>"What he has realized by his own supernatural >>>knowledge he will publish to this universe. He will >>>preach his religion, glorious in its origin, glorious >>>at its climax, glorious at the goal, in the spirit >and >>>the letter. He will proclaim a religious life, wholly >>>perfect and thoroughly pure; even as I now preach my >>>religion and a like life do proclaim. He will keep up >>>the society of monks numbering many thousands, even >as >>>now I keep up a society of monks numbering many >>>hundreds". >>> >>> >>>B) >>>According to Sacred Books of the East volume 35 pg. >>>225: >>> >>>"It is said that I am not an only Buddha upon whom >the >>>leadership and order is dependent. After me another >>>Buddha maitreya of such and such virtues will come. I >>>am now the leader of hundreds, he will be the leader >>>of thousands." >>> >>> >>>C) >>>According to the Gospel of Buddha by Carus pg. 217 >and >>>218 (From Ceylon sources): >>> >>>"Ananda said to the Blessed One, ‘Who shall teach us >>>when thou art gone?' >>> >>>And the Blessed one replied, 'I am not the first >>>Buddha who came upon the earth nor shall I be the >>>last. In due time another Buddha will arise in the >>>world, a holy one, a supremely enlightened one, >>>endowed with wisdom in conduct, auspicious, knowing >>>the universe, an incomparable leader of men, a master >>>of angels and mortals. He will reveal to you the same >>>eternal truths, which I have taught you. He will >>>preach his religion, glorious in its origin, glorious >>>at the climax and glorious at the goal. He will >>>proclaim a religious life, wholly perfect and pure >>>such as I now proclaim. His disciples will number >many >>>thousands while mine number many hundreds.' >>> >>>Ananda said, 'How shall we know him?' >>> >>>The Blessed one replied, 'He will be known as >>>Maitreya'." >>> >>> >>>(i) >>>The Sanskrit word ‘Maitreya’ or its equivalent in >Pali >>>‘Metteyya’ means loving, compassionate, merciful and >>>benevolent. It also means kindness and friendliness, >>>sympathy, etc. One Arabic word which is equivalent to >>>all these words is ‘Rahmat’. In Surah Al-Anbiya: >>> >>>"We sent thee not, but as a mercy for all creatures." >>>[Al-Qur’an 21:107] >>> >>>Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was called the merciful, >which >>>is ‘Maitri’. >>> >>> >>>(ii) >>>The words Mercy and Merciful are mentioned in the >Holy >>>Qur’an no less than 409 times. >>> >>>(iii) >>>Every chapter of the Glorious Qur’an, except Chapter >>>9, i.e. Surah Taubah begins with the beautiful >>>formula, 'Bismillah Hir-Rahman Nir-Rahim', which >means >>>'In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most >Merciful'. >>> >>>(iv) >>>The Word Muhammad is also spelt as ‘Mahamet’ or >>>‘Mahomet’ and in various other ways in different >>>languages. The word ‘Maho’ or ‘Maha’ in Pali and >>>Sanskrit mean Great and Illustrious and ‘Metta’ means >>>mercy. Therefore ‘Mahomet’ means ‘Great Mercy’. >>> >>>2. >>>Buddha’s doctrine was Esoteric and Exoteric: >>> >>>According to Sacred Books of the East, volume 11, pg. >>>36 Maha-Parinibbana Sutta chapter 2 verse 32: >>> >>>"I have preached the truth without making any >>>distinction between exoteric and esoteric doctrine, >>>for in respect of truths, Ananda, the Tathagata has >no >>>such thing as the closed fist of a teacher, who keeps >>>something back". >>> >>>Muhammad (pbuh) on the commandment of Almighty God >>>delivered the message and doctrine without making any >>>distinction between esoteric and exoteric. The Qur'an >>>was recited in public in the days of the Prophet and >>>is being done so till date. The Prophet had strictly >>>forbidden the Muslims from hiding the doctrine >>> >>> >>>3. >>>Devoted Servitors of the Buddhas: >>> >>>According to Sacred Books of the East volume 11 pg. >97 >>>Maha-Parinibbana Sutta Chapter 5 verse 36: >>> >>>"Then the Blessed one addressed the brethren, and >>>said, ‘Whosoever, brethren have been Arahat-Buddhas >>>through the long ages of the past, they were >servitors >>>just as devoted to those Blessed ones as Ananda has >>>been to me. And whosoever brethren shall be the >>>Arahat-Buddhas of the future, there shall be >servitors >>>as devoted to those Blessed ones as Ananda has been >to >>>me’." >>> >>>The Servitor of Buddha was Ananda. Muhammad (pbuh) >>>also had a servitor by the name Anas (r.a.) who was >>>the son of Malik. Anas (r.a...) was presented to the >>>Prophet by his parents. Anas (r.a...) relates: "My >>>mother said to him, 'Oh Messenger of God, here is >your >>>little servant'." Further Anas relates, "I served him >>>from the time I was 8 years old and the Prophet >called >>>me his son and his little beloved". Anas (r.a...) >>>stayed by the Prophet in peace and in war, in safety >>>as well as in danger till the end of his life. >>> >>> >>>i) >>>Anas (r.a.), even though he was only 11 years old >>>stayed beside the Prophet during the battle of Uhud >>>where the Prophet’s life was in great danger. >>> >>>ii) >>>Even during the battle of Honain when the Prophet was >>>surrounded by the enemies who were archers, Anas >>>(r.a...) who was only 16 years old stood by the >>>Prophet. >>> >>>Anas (R) can surely be compared with Ananda who stood >>>by Gautam Buddha when the mad elephant approached >him. >>> >>> >>>4. >>>Six Criteria for Identifying Buddha: >>> >>>According to the Gospel of Buddha by Carus pg. 214: >>> >>>"The Blessed one said, ‘There are two occasions on >>>which a Tathagata’s appearance becomes clear and >>>exceedingly bright. In the night Ananda, in which a >>>Tathagata attains to the supreme and perfect insight, >>>and in the night in which he passes finally away in >>>that ultra passing which leaves nothing whatever of >>>his earthly existence to remain.’ " >>> >>>According to Gautam Buddha, following are the six >>>criteria for identifying a Buddha. >>> >>> >>>i) >>>A Buddha attains supreme and perfect insight at >>>night-time. >>> >>>ii) >>>On the occasion of his complete enlightenment he >looks >>>exceedingly bright >>> >>>iii) >>>A Buddha dies a natural death. >>> >>>iv) >>>He dies at night-time. >>> >>>v) >>>He looks exceedingly bright before his death. >>> >>>vi) >>>After his death a Buddha ceases to exist on earth. >>> >>> >>> i) Muhammad (pbuh) attained supreme insight and >>>Prophethood at night-time. >>> >>>According to Surah Dukhan: >>> >>>"By the books that makes thing clear – We sent it >down >>>during a blessed night." >>>[Al-Qur'an 44:2-3] >>> >>>According to Surah Al-Qadar: >>> >>>"We have indeed revealed this (message) in the night >>>of power." >>>[Al-Qur'an 97:1] >>> >>> >>>ii) >>>Muhammad (pbuh) instantly felt his understanding >>>illumined with celestial light. >>> >>>iii) >>>Muhammad (pbuh) died a natural death. >>> >>>iv) >>>According to Ayesha (r.a.), Muhammad (pbuh) expired >at >>>night-time. When he was dying there was no oil in the >>>lamp and his wife Ayesha (r.a.) had to borrow oil for >>>the lamp. >>> >>>v) >>>According to Anas (r.a.), Muhammad (pbuh) looked >>>exceedingly bright in the night of his death. >>> >>>vi) >>>After the burial of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) he was >>>never seen again in his bodily form on this earth. >>> >>>5. >>>Buddhas are only Preachers: >>> >>> >>>According to Dhammapada, Sacred Books of East volume >>>10 pg., 67: >>> >>>"The Jathagatas (Buddhas) are only Preachers." >>>The Qur’an says in Surah Ghashiya: >>>"Therefore do thou give admonition, for thou art one >>>to admonish. Thou art not one to manage (men's) >>>affairs." >>>[Al-Qur'an 88:21-22] >>> >>> >>>6. >>>Identification of Maitreya by Buddha: >>> >>>According to Dhammapada, Mattaya Sutta, 151: >>> >>>"The promised one will be: >>> >>>i) Compassionate for the whole creation >>> >>>ii) A messenger of peace, a peace-maker >>> >>>iii) The most successful in the world. >>> >>> >>>The Maitreya as a Preacher of morals will be: >>> >>>i) Truthful >>> >>>ii) Self-respecting >>> >>>iii) Gentle and noble >>> >>>iv) Not proud >>> >>>v) As a king to creatures >>> >>>vi) An example to others in deeds and in words".

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