Evidence for the existence of Gautama Buddha

Discussion in 'Religion Archives' started by S.A.M., Dec 5, 2008.

  1. S.A.M. uniquely dreadful Valued Senior Member

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    Is there any?

    Here is what I know:
    Now the "early" Buddhist texts were written down in 1 B.C. [Pali Canon] and later

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agamas

    No one knows what he really looked like:

    http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/dharmadata/fdd35.htm

    So what evidence is there for Buddha? Did he exist or was he made up by people? How do we know his "history"?
     
    Last edited: Dec 5, 2008
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  3. spidergoat pubic diorama Valued Senior Member

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    I don't know, does it matter? There have been Buddhas since then.
     
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  5. S.A.M. uniquely dreadful Valued Senior Member

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    Oh don't you want to know if he was a real person and whether he did say such and such or merely plagiarised what other people said? Won't it make a MASSIVE difference to your view of Buddhism?

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  7. spidergoat pubic diorama Valued Senior Member

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  8. S.A.M. uniquely dreadful Valued Senior Member

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    Oh come on, surely if you found out that Buddha was actually some Tamilian guy playing a cosmic joke, you'd give up everything you knew about Buddhism?
     
  9. MacGyver1968 Fixin' Shit that Ain't Broke Valued Senior Member

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    Would you think the same thing if Muhammad was found to be a story of fiction?
     
  10. spidergoat pubic diorama Valued Senior Member

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    Not at all. My appreciation of it is based on it's own qualities. Of course, Buddhism IS a cosmic joke. You find that out when enlightenment happens. It's not a cult of personality, it's not based on any miracles.
     
  11. S.A.M. uniquely dreadful Valued Senior Member

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    What enlightenment is that?

    Duh, what do you think?

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  12. spidergoat pubic diorama Valued Senior Member

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    The one described by Buddha or whoever.
     
  13. S.A.M. uniquely dreadful Valued Senior Member

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    I mean what does it change about you? What sort of epiphany do you get?
     
  14. w1z4rd Valued Senior Member

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    He is like Allah. Made up by people.
     
  15. spidergoat pubic diorama Valued Senior Member

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    I'm not really sure. Every time I try to describe it, the words seem inadequate. I can only say that it isn't a matter of thought or intellect, otherwise it could be written down and transmitted in that way. I think it can only be experienced.
     
  16. S.A.M. uniquely dreadful Valued Senior Member

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    Hmm, I've read Buddha's doctrine and it seems highly idealistic to me. I don't know anyone who does not cling to some form of "attachment" and I can't imagine why anyone would want to reach a state free of dukha. Its like having CIPA.
     
  17. spidergoat pubic diorama Valued Senior Member

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    It does describe an ideal of initial conditions that would assist the realization of this state. Most people don't have the will power to fufill all of his recommendations, but that isn't necessary. Every bit helps.
     
  18. S.A.M. uniquely dreadful Valued Senior Member

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    Since I do not see the point of a desire free life, I'm not interested in what assists the realisation of such a state.
     
  19. spidergoat pubic diorama Valued Senior Member

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    That's fine, there is no perogative in Buddhism to convince others. If you aren't sick, you don't need medicine.
     
  20. Cris In search of Immortality Valued Senior Member

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    The philosophy of Buddhism is cohesive whether the actual person of Buddha existed or not.

    Islam, and its primary branches, on the other hand depends entirely on the ideas of Mohammed and his offspring. Discredit Mohammed and his sons and much of Islam will collapse.

    Christianity is even worse: If Jesus never existed then the entire notion of a savior for the human race is total nonsence. It is essential for Christianity that Jesus actually existed. We have yet to see any eveidence that that is true yet.
     
  21. spidergoat pubic diorama Valued Senior Member

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    On a related subject, the founder of Taoism, Lao Tzu, quite possibly never existed. Some people say he might have been a composite of several people.
     
  22. S.A.M. uniquely dreadful Valued Senior Member

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    Not at all. For one thing he had no sons, just one daughter. Secondly, Mohammed-ur-rasoolullah, he is only a messenger. Its not his message. He is not a guide or a warner.

     
  23. swarm Registered Senior Member

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    Do you mean was Siddhārtha Gautama a real person?

    Its entirely possible since there is nothing in particular that would make him having been real problematic. Its more likely that he is a composite of local hero myths and early leaders. Certainly a lot of Buddhist texts were written by others and attributed to him.

    Does it matter? Not at all. Any one who takes Buddhism based on what they think old Gautama said in some sutta doesn't understand Buddhism. Its not about him. Its not about this or that sutta. Its about taking the techniques and learning, testing it against your life and becoming a Buddha yourself.

    Ultimately the goal of Buddhism is for it to become superfluous so that you discard it and are able to stand on your own. A light unto yourself.
     

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