DOCSLIB.ORG

The First Step to Be a Buddha by Venerable Master Chang-Lyu the Founder of Cheng-Te Charity and Education Association

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The First Step to Be a Buddha by Venerable Master Chang-Lyu the Founder of Cheng-Te Charity and Education Association The First Step to be a Buddha By Venerable Master Chang-lyu The Founder of Cheng-Te Charity and Education Association Published by Buddhist Cih-yin Magazine Press What is a “monk”?................................................................................55 CONTENTS The three kinds of Buddha-natures: the secular view of wisdom, pity, and awakening.....................................................................................64 The Three Major Doctrines for Cultivating Wisdom.............................69 【Preface1】The first step to be a Buddha ........................................04 What is mercy? ...................................................................................83 【Preface2】Buddhism is not a religion. It is education of wisdom pity and awakening.....................................................................................05 A Touching Story at Tatu Bridge at Changhua.....................................86 【Preface3】The utilitarian religion.....................................................06 Poor Student Saved Money and Starved himself to Save People......87 【TEXT】 You can not say it is your resolves to do good but it is your duty........90 If you want to get away from pain and distress in your life, it is sensible The Prime Minister Fan, Zhong-Yan in Song Dynasty was the greatest to believe in Buddhism........................................................................08 philanthropist in China.........................................................................93 The truth about life...............................................................................10 Andrew Carnegie-the greatest philanthropist in the world...................95 How do the Buddhist cultivators see your life?....................................12 What is awakening?.............................................................................97 Buddhism’s enlightenment..................................................................15 Rely on the Triratna is the First Step to be a Buddha.......................101 Aspects of Buddhist practice-contemplation, deep meditation and fulfillment The tragically heroic bicentennial religious war between Christianity .............................................................................................................17 and Islam..........................................................................................107 The real purpose of learning Buddhism...............................................18 The deeply grievious history of invader Islam’s butchering Buddhists Buddha’s spiritual world.......................................................................20 ...........................................................................................................112 What’s Buddha.....................................................................................23 Relations between Buddhism and other Disciplines in the World......113 Buddha’s wisdom (Prajna)...................................................................23 A Study of the Relationship between Jungian Psychology and Buddhist Thought.............................................................................................121 Buddha’s mercy...................................................................................27 Father of nation said, “Buddhism can patch up the bias of science Buddha’s awakening............................................................................29 because it is the mother of philosophy.” .............................................149 Buddha’s causes of coming to this world.............................................32 Postscript ..........................................................................................158 Buddha was very clever when he was little. He knew all the knowledge The Cheng-Te Temple promote “Do less misdeeds and recite Buddha’s very well...............................................................................................37 name More” campaign.......................................................................180 The holly names of Buddha ................................................................42 A message from the author................................................................185 Buddha’s Physical Look and Appearance............................................45 The Ven. Master Chang-Lyu’s dharma words...................................186 What is dharma? .................................................................................53 Buddhism is not a religion..................................................................187 The First Step to be a Buddha The First Step to be a Buddha 【Preface1】The first step to be a Buddha 【Preface2】Buddhism is not a religion. It is education of wisdom pity and awakening The first step to become a Buddha is to realize the spirit, thinking, and doctrine of the Triratna (Buddha, Dharma and Sangha). In order ■ Buddhism is the education of wisdom, pity, and awakening. to establish our faith, only with faith can a person get on the right path Buddhism is a scientific, rational, and logical education. to seek enlightenment (heart of Tao). Before convert to the Triratna, a Buddhism is the knowledge that includes all the knowledge in the person should understand the basic principles and spirit of Buddhism. universe and the world, covering science, medicine, philosophy, astronomy, psychology, biology, physics, nature studies, eography, etc. Likewise, believing in the Triratna in Buddhism will be meaningful and ■ Buddhism is the education about life that can purify one's heart, achieve virtue; just participating merely in ceremonies will not help to smashing superstitions completely. It can also inspire people's understand the thinking and manners of Buddhism. It is a mere formality. conscience, giving people the wisdom to distinguish right from wrong, Believing in Buddhism and becoming a Buddhist in such manner, it is benignity from malignity, saint from devil; therefore, the dark force meaningless, without any actual benefit. Nor can it lift you from distress. cannot harm people and repay them with distress. In addition, people In addition, it is unable to elevate you to the spiritual and moral level, not can learn to have pity and to get rid of the pain in life, leading all the to mention the change of one’s destiny. people to learn about Buddhism and become benignant. Consequentially, From my observation over these years, I discovered that many all lives can find the way to eternal happiness. Buddhist temples just convert their disciples out of formality. Hardly any ■ Religion is a kind of authoritative education, a kind of education mixing of them spend any time in answering the basic principles and manners reason and superstition. It is a non-scientific and illogical education. of Buddhism. Consequentially, many followers are still ignorant of Buddhist temples are just like universities. Meanwhile, the Buddha is the Buddhism, losing the basic spirit of the religion to educate people. It is a university president with sound knowledge. The sutras are just like pity indeed. the textbooks in different disciplines. The monks and nuns are like the Considering this problem, for the past 20 years, whenever we sponsor teachers in the school and the people who come are the students. All of any ritual at Cheng Te Temple will uphold the Buddhist’s moral. With them constitute a perfect education system. a responsible attitude, we will spend half a day to perform the basic Now, there are less and less people that believe in Catholicism and rituals of Buddhism as well as instruct followers with the basic Buddhist Christianity in the West. Meanwhile, there are more and more people that believe in Buddhism. Some of them even become monks and doctrine for 3 hours, to enlighten the followers on understanding of nuns. More importantly, there are even more Westerners, scientists, the Buddhist thoughts. Likewise, they can discipline themselves in and philosophers that study Buddhism in profound manners, because accordance with Buddha’s preaching to reform their lives and to get rid of Buddhism can be proved by science. The Buddhist texts are a million their distress. In this way they can fulfill happy lives and create a bright times more than the texts in any other religions. If we can study future by themselves. Buddhism in a scientific manner, it is possible for us to discover The contents of the lectures (or book) I spoke to participants at the Buddhist texts to be complete and profound, the most complete and t ceremonies for taking three refuges and the contents from recordings into he greatest knowledge in the world. books, with the intention of serving as a reference for all temples, it is hoped that Buddhist masters can instruct the temple disciples before they convert to the Triratna. Likewise, they can learn a very good lesson on the morals and virtues in Buddhism and in life, so that Buddhism can be consolidated in everyday life. And it will be the blessings for all lives; the good fortune for the country and the society. ．． ．． The First Step to be a Buddha The First Step to be a Buddha 【Preface3】The utilitarian religion the preaching are numerous, then Buddhism can flourish and people’s hearts and morals can be elevated. This can be seen from the Westerners The famous Swiss psychologist Carl Gustav Jung, the founder of who go to church on Sundays regularly, regardless of their wealth, social unique psychoanalysis, mentioned “Religion plays a very
Load more

Recommended publications
  • G L O S S a R I O T I B E T A
    G L O S S A R I O T I B E T A N O TRASLITTERAZIONE E PRONUNCIA DELL’ ALFABETO TIBETANO A A ; E aperta, se nella stessa sillaba è seguita dalla finale D, Æ, L, N, ¹, S AI E lunga chiusa A’I E lunga aperta, con l’eventuale aggiunta di una I brevissima AU O lunga chiusa B B ; U semivocale, nella sillaba “ba” isolata ; o in una sillaba che comincia per “dba”; o se è preceduta da sillaba (della stessa parola) terminante con vocale, L,Ó,R,’ MUTA, se – iniziale - è seguita da consonante diversa da H,R,Y; nonché nelle sillabe “dbe,dbi,dbo,dbu” BR D pronunciata simultaneamente a una debole R con la lingua contro il palato BY G dolce di “gelo” Y, se nella stessa sillaba è preceduta da D C C dolce di “cece” D D ; MUTA, se – iniziale – è seguita da consonante diversa da H,R,W,Y; oppure se è finale Æ D con la lingua rivolta all’indietro contro il palato DR D pronunciata simultaneamente a una debole R con la lingua contro il palato DW D DZ Z dolce di “bazza“ E E chiusa ; sovente I breve quasi E (ingl. tin), quando è finale di sillaba. G G dura di “gatto“; MUTA, se – iniziale - è seguita da consonante diversa da H,R,W,Y scarsamente udibile, se è finale oppure se si trova nella finale GS GR D pronunciata simultaneamente a una debole R con la lingua contro il palato GW G dura di “gatto” H H aspirata come nell’ingl.
    [Show full text]
  • SNOW LION PUBLI C'ltl Olss JANET BUDD 946 NOTTINGHAM DR
    M 17 BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID ITHACA, NY 14851 Permit No. 746 SNOW LION PUBLI C'lTl OLsS JANET BUDD 946 NOTTINGHAM DR REDLANDS CA SNOW LION ORDER FROM OUR NEW TOLL FREE NUMBER NEWSLETTER & CATALOG 1-800-950-0313 SPRING 1992 SNOW LION PUBLICATIONS PO BOX 6483, ITHACA, NY 14851, (607)-273-8506 ISSN 1059-3691 VOLUME 7, NUMBER 2 Nyingma Transmission The Statement of His Holiness How 'The Cyclone' Came to the West the Dalai Lama on the Occasion by Mardie Junkins of the 33rd Anniversary of Once there lived a family in the practice were woven into their he danced on the rocks in an ex- village of Joephu, in the Palrong lives. If one of the children hap- plosion of radiant energy. Not sur- the Tibetan National Uprising valley of the Dhoshul region in pened to wake in the night, the prisingly, Tsa Sum Lingpa is Eastern Tibet. There was a father, father's continuous chanting could especially revered in the Dhoshul mother, two sisters, and two be heard. region of Tibet. As we commemorate today the brothers. Like many Tibetan fam- The valley was a magical place The oldest of the brothers was 33rd anniversary of the March ilies they were very devout. The fa- with a high mountain no one had nicknamed "The Cyclone" for his 10th Uprising in 1959,1 am more ther taught his children and the yet climbed and a high lake with enormous energy. He would run optimistic than ever before about children of the village the Bud- milky white water and yellow crys- up a nearby mountain to explore the future of Tibet.
    [Show full text]
  • Metaphor and Literalism in Buddhism
    METAPHOR AND LITERALISM IN BUDDHISM The notion of nirvana originally used the image of extinguishing a fire. Although the attainment of nirvana, ultimate liberation, is the focus of the Buddha’s teaching, its interpretation has been a constant problem to Buddhist exegetes, and has changed in different historical and doctrinal contexts. The concept is so central that changes in its understanding have necessarily involved much larger shifts in doctrine. This book studies the doctrinal development of the Pali nirvana and sub- sequent tradition and compares it with the Chinese Agama and its traditional interpretation. It clarifies early doctrinal developments of nirvana and traces the word and related terms back to their original metaphorical contexts. Thereby, it elucidates diverse interpretations and doctrinal and philosophical developments in the abhidharma exegeses and treatises of Southern and Northern Buddhist schools. Finally, the book examines which school, if any, kept the original meaning and reference of nirvana. Soonil Hwang is Assistant Professor in the Department of Indian Philosophy at Dongguk University, Seoul. His research interests are focused upon early Indian Buddhism, Buddhist Philosophy and Sectarian Buddhism. ROUTLEDGE CRITICAL STUDIES IN BUDDHISM General Editors: Charles S. Prebish and Damien Keown Routledge Critical Studies in Buddhism is a comprehensive study of the Buddhist tradition. The series explores this complex and extensive tradition from a variety of perspectives, using a range of different methodologies. The series is diverse in its focus, including historical studies, textual translations and commentaries, sociological investigations, bibliographic studies, and considera- tions of religious practice as an expression of Buddhism’s integral religiosity. It also presents materials on modern intellectual historical studies, including the role of Buddhist thought and scholarship in a contemporary, critical context and in the light of current social issues.
    [Show full text]
  • The Gandavyuha-Sutra : a Study of Wealth, Gender and Power in an Indian Buddhist Narrative
    The Gandavyuha-sutra : a Study of Wealth, Gender and Power in an Indian Buddhist Narrative Douglas Edward Osto Thesis for a Doctor of Philosophy Degree School of Oriental and African Studies University of London 2004 1 ProQuest Number: 10673053 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a com plete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. uest ProQuest 10673053 Published by ProQuest LLC(2017). Copyright of the Dissertation is held by the Author. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States C ode Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106- 1346 Abstract The Gandavyuha-sutra: a Study of Wealth, Gender and Power in an Indian Buddhist Narrative In this thesis, I examine the roles of wealth, gender and power in the Mahay ana Buddhist scripture known as the Gandavyuha-sutra, using contemporary textual theory, narratology and worldview analysis. I argue that the wealth, gender and power of the spiritual guides (kalyanamitras , literally ‘good friends’) in this narrative reflect the social and political hierarchies and patterns of Buddhist patronage in ancient Indian during the time of its compilation. In order to do this, I divide the study into three parts. In part I, ‘Text and Context’, I first investigate what is currently known about the origins and development of the Gandavyuha, its extant manuscripts, translations and modern scholarship.
    [Show full text]
  • Supernatural Elements in No Drama Setsuico
    SUPERNATURAL ELEMENTS IN NO DRAMA \ SETSUICO ITO ProQuest Number: 10731611 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. uest ProQuest 10731611 Published by ProQuest LLC(2017). Copyright of the Dissertation is held by the Author. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 4 8 1 0 6 - 1346 Supernatural Elements in No Drama Abstract One of the most neglected areas of research in the field of NS drama is its use of supernatural elements, in particular the calling up of the spirit or ghost of a dead person which is found in a large number (more than half) of the No plays at present performed* In these 'spirit plays', the summoning of the spirit is typically done by a travelling priest (the waki)* He meets a local person (the mae-shite) who tells him the story for which the place is famous and then reappears in the second half of the.play.as the main person in the story( the nochi-shite ), now long since dead. This thesis sets out to show something of the circumstances from which this unique form of drama v/as developed.
    [Show full text]
  • Buddhism, Diversity and ‘Race’: Multiculturalism and Western Convert Buddhist Movements in East London – a Qualitative Study
    CORE Metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk Provided by Goldsmiths Research Online GOLDSMITHS Research Online Thesis (PhD) Smith, Sharon Elizabeth Buddhism, Diversity and ‘Race’: Multiculturalism and Western convert Buddhist movements in East London – a qualitative study You may cite this version as: Smith, Sharon Elizabeth, 2008. Buddhism, Diversity and ‘Race’: Multiculturalism and Western convert Buddhist movements in East London – a qualitative study. PhD thesis, Goldsmiths. [Thesis]: Goldsmiths Research Online. Available at: http://eprints.gold.ac.uk/2553/ COPYRIGHT This is a thesis accepted for a Higher Degree of the University of London. It is an unpublished document and the copyright is held by the author. All persons consulting this thesis must read and abide by the Copyright Declaration below. COPYRIGHT DECLARATION I recognise that the copyright and other relevant Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) of the above- described thesis rests with the author and/or other IPR holders and that no quotation from it or information derived from it may be published without the prior written consent of the author. ACCESS A non-exclusive, non-transferable licence is hereby granted to those using or reproducing, in whole or in part, the material for valid purposes, providing the copyright owners are acknowledged using the normal conventions. Where specific permission to use material is required, this is identified and such permission must be sought from the copyright holder or agency cited. REPRODUCTION All material supplied via Goldsmiths Library and Goldsmiths Research Online (GRO) is protected by copyright and other intellectual property rights, and duplication or sale of all or part of any of the Data Collections is not permitted, except that material may be duplicated by you for your research use or for educational purposes in electronic or print form.
    [Show full text]
  • Diversity in the Women of the Therīgāthā
    Lesley University DigitalCommons@Lesley Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences Mindfulness Studies Theses (GSASS) Spring 5-6-2020 Diversity in the Women of the Therīgāthā Kyung Peggy Meill [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/mindfulness_theses Part of the Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons Recommended Citation Meill, Kyung Peggy, "Diversity in the Women of the Therīgāthā" (2020). Mindfulness Studies Theses. 29. https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/mindfulness_theses/29 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences (GSASS) at DigitalCommons@Lesley. It has been accepted for inclusion in Mindfulness Studies Theses by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@Lesley. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. DIVERSITY IN THE WOMEN OF THE THERĪGĀTHĀ i Diversity in the Women of the Therīgāthā Kyung Peggy Kim Meill Lesley University May 2020 Dr. Melissa Jean and Dr. Andrew Olendzki DIVERSITY IN THE WOMEN OF THE THERĪGĀTHĀ ii Abstract A literary work provides a window into the world of a writer, revealing her most intimate and forthright perspectives, beliefs, and emotions – this within a scope of a certain time and place that shapes the milieu of her life. The Therīgāthā, an anthology of 73 poems found in the Pali canon, is an example of such an asseveration, composed by theris (women elders of wisdom or senior disciples), some of the first Buddhist nuns who lived in the time of the Buddha 2500 years ago. The gathas (songs or poems) impart significant details concerning early Buddhism and some of its integral elements of mental and spiritual development.
    [Show full text]
  • True Model of a Natural Chan Practitioner
    NCOUNTERS with Master E Ⅹ Sheng Yen Encounters with Master Sheng Yen Ⅹ Pocket Guides to Buddhist Wisdom E-26 Publisher: Dharma Drum Mountain Culture and Educational Foundation 5F., No. 186, Gongguan Rd., Beitou District Taipei City 112-44, Taiwan Tel: 886-2-2893-4646 Fax: 886-2-2896-0731 www.ddm.org.tw Speakers: Du Zhengmin, Ding Min, Shan Te-hsing Editorial & Production: Cultural Center, Dharma Drum Mountain Revision: International Translation Office ISBN: 978-986-96684-4-6 1st Edition: March 2019 Preface o share with the public the thoughts and life experiences Tof Dharma Drum Mountain founder Master Sheng Yen (also known as Shifu, meaning “Master”), the Sheng Yen Education Foundation embarked on a series of talks beginning in September of 2009. Fifty-two talks were given at the Sheng Yen Lecture Hall (located in the official residence where Master Sheng Yen lived in his final years). The talks were titled A Living Example, Countless Teachings— Encounters with Master Sheng Yen and we invited all his monastic and lay disciples to share with us their stories about Shifu, how he taught them through his living example and words. Listening to these speakers’ personal accounts of the interactions between teacher and student allowed the audience to commemorate Master Sheng Yen’s journey, and once again hear his gracious teachings. The talks include stories of Master Sheng Yen’s everyday life, how he would give detailed guidance to his disciples regarding their speech and actions. There are also accounts of his travels to share the Buddhadharma locally and overseas, reaching out to the public, and teaching them skillfully and flexibly based on the existing circumstances.
    [Show full text]
  • Trickster-Like Teachings in Tibetan Buddhism: Shortcuts Towards Destroying Illusions
    Asian Research Journal of Arts & Social Sciences 5(1): 1-9, 2018; Article no.ARJASS.38108 ISSN: 2456-4761 Trickster-Like Teachings in Tibetan Buddhism: Shortcuts towards Destroying Illusions Z. G. Ma1* 1California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS), California, USA. Author’s contribution The sole author designed, analyzed and interpreted and prepared the manuscript. Article Information DOI: 10.9734/ARJASS/2018/38108 Editor(s): (1) Shiro Horiuchi, Faculty of International Tourism, Hannan University, Japan. (2) David Perez Jorge, Department of Teaching and –Educational research, University of La Laguna, Spain. Reviewers: (1) Dare Ojo Omonijo, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Nigeria. (2) Valentine Banfegha Ngalim, The University of Bamenda, Cameroon. (3) Lufanna Ching-Han Lai, Gratia Christian College, China. (4) Abraham K. Kisang, Kenyatta University, Kenya. (5) Uche A. Dike, Niger Delta University, Nigeria. Complete Peer review History: http://www.sciencedomain.org/review-history/22795 Received 6th November 2017 Accepted 11th January 2018 Opinion Article th Published 20 January 2018 ABSTRACT Trickster-like Dharma teachings in Tibetan Buddhism behave as a kind of shortcuts in the approach to leading people along the path of enlightenment. This essay collects three such teachings of different levels towards destroying illusions, i.e., Buddha’s silence, Guru’s paradox, and Ego’s kleshas. They are necessary as “an ace up the sleeve” for Buddha to destruct disciples’ metaphysical quagmire, for Guru to lead community toward perfect transcendence,
    [Show full text]
  • The Preliminary Practice of Tsa-Tsas
    The Preliminary Practice of Tsa-Tsas Translation and Commentary by Lama Zopa Rinpoche FPMT Inc. 1632 SE 11th Avenue Portland, OR 97214 USA www.fpmt.org © 2009 FPMT Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, record- ing, or by any informati on storage and retrieval system or tech- nologies now known or developed, without permission in writi ng from the publisher. Set in Calibri 12.5./15, Century Gothic, and Lydian BT. Printed in the USA. Contents The Practice of Making Tsa-Tsas 5 Commentary on the Practice 25 by Lama Zopa Rinpoche Stories from Tsa-Tsa Makers 57 Finding Freedom, by Ven. Amy Miller 59 Repaying the Kindness, by Ven. Thubten Munsel 67 Practical Advice on Materials and Process 71 Tsa-Tsa Materials 73 The Process of Making Tsa-Tsas 81 Helpful Resources 91 4 The Preliminary Practice of Tsa-Tsas The Practice 5 The Practice of Making Tsa-Tsas by Tropu Lotsawa translated and with additions and instructions from Lama Zopa Rinpoche Here is the advice of uti lizing the tsa-tsa practi ce in the path to enlightenment, writt en by the great translator Tropu. Namo Guru, I prostate to the gurus who are the glorifi ed saviors of senti ent beings, the lords of omniscience and compassion, the refuge object of transmigratory beings, and the step towards lib- erati on, who have completely conquered all opposing conditi ons. Please grant the sublime and general realizati ons to me and all other transmigratory beings.
    [Show full text]
  • Out of the Shadows: Socially Engaged Buddhist Women
    University of San Diego Digital USD Theology and Religious Studies: Faculty Scholarship Department of Theology and Religious Studies 2019 Out of the Shadows: Socially Engaged Buddhist Women Karma Lekshe Tsomo PhD University of San Diego, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digital.sandiego.edu/thrs-faculty Part of the Buddhist Studies Commons, and the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons Digital USD Citation Tsomo, Karma Lekshe PhD, "Out of the Shadows: Socially Engaged Buddhist Women" (2019). Theology and Religious Studies: Faculty Scholarship. 25. https://digital.sandiego.edu/thrs-faculty/25 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at Digital USD. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theology and Religious Studies: Faculty Scholarship by an authorized administrator of Digital USD. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Section Titles Placed Here | I Out of the Shadows Socially Engaged Buddhist Women Edited by Karma Lekshe Tsomo SAKYADHITA | HONOLULU First Edition: Sri Satguru Publications 2006 Second Edition: Sakyadhita 2019 Copyright © 2019 Karma Lekshe Tsomo All rights reserved No part of this book may not be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, or by any information storage or retreival system, without the prior written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations. Cover design Copyright © 2006 Allen Wynar Sakyadhita Conference Poster
    [Show full text]
  • Buddha As Progenitor of Pali, the Non-Parole Lingua Dhammica
    Buddha as Progenitor of Pali, the Non-parole Lingua Dhammica Bhikkhu Mihita, PhD (formerly Suwanda H J Sugunasiri; See end of paper for brief Bio) ABSTRACT There is agreement among scholars that at some point in time in the early history of Buddhism, there came to be a lingua franca, but also a perception that what constitutes Pali is a ‘translation’, or a ‘normalization’ of this, but post-Canonically. In Part I, this paper argues that Pali was no translation, but indeed the very ‘lingua franca’ (see later for change of label) in which the Canon was transmitted, and that it comes to be shaped at the hands of the Buddha himself, making him the ‘Progenitor’. The ‘critical other’ for this to happen is Ananda, ‘foremost’ in several language related skills, this suggesting the emergence of Pali to be around twenty years post-Enlightenment. However, Pali was no parole, i.e., not used for speaking, but a langue (in the Saussurean distinction), with only the inner circle of pupils privy to it initially, and over time, only the ordained Sangha, both male and female. As such, it comes to be used exclusively as the linguistic medium of the Dhamma to be retained to posterity in its pristine purity. In that sense, it may be characterized as a ‘High Prakrit’, or Ucchakrt (cf Sanskrt), somewhat different from a ‘koine’. Given that the label lingua franca does not capture the specific nature and function of the language constructed by the Buddha, we seek to capture its uniqueness in the new label Lingua Dhammica.
    [Show full text]