The Baha'i Studies Listserv Buddhist views opposing the concept of future Buddha According to the Buddhism of the Lotus Sutra, each person possesses the "Buddha nature", which can be revealed in this lifetime. The concept of inherent "Buddha nature" in each person does not fit well with the concept of a Future Buddha descending from Heaven because each person can become a Buddha. The doctrine of inherent Buddha nature makes each person a future Buddha in one's lifetime. Nichiren Buddhism emphasises on "Attaining Buddhahood in this Lifetime", as Buddhahood is attainable through the practice of the Lotus Sutra. Maitreya appears as a significant figure in the text of the Lotus Sutra, however, Nichiren's explanation of Maitreya was as just a metaphor indicating a protective force and a function of “guarding and helping” the Bodhisattvas of the Earth, who also appear in the Lotus Sutra: “Moreover... all the bodhisattvas, Bodhisattva Maitreya ... will guard and protect the votaries of the Lotus Sutra, so one may indeed rest assured”.[5] In many of his writing, Nichiren mentions the traditional Buddhist views on Maitreya - but clearly explains that the propagation of the Eternal Dharma of the Lotus Sutra was entrusted by Shakyamuni to the “Earth Bodhisattvas”: “ The Buddha did not entrust these five characters to Maitreya, Medicine King, or the others of their group. Instead he summoned forth the bodhisattvas....from the great earth of Tranquil Light and transferred the five characters to them”.[6] In view of Nichiren Buddhism, each person embodies the character of “the Maitreya” because Maitreya is a metaphor for the function of compassion : “The name Maitreya means ‘Compassionate One’ and designates the Votaries of the Lotus Sutra”.[7]
http://www.sgilibrary.org/view.php?page=1074&m=3&q=all%20the%20bodhisattvas,%20Bodhisattva%20Maitreya http://www.sgilibrary.org/view.php?page=437&m=3&q=The%20Buddha%20did%20not%20entrust%20these%20five%20characters The Record of Orally Transmitted Teachings p 143.Translated by Burton Watson http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maitreya __________________________________________________ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:[email protected] Unsubscribe: send a blank email to mailto:leave-643114-27401.54f46e81b66496c9909bcdc2f7987...@list.jccc.edu Subscribe: send subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [email protected] Or subscribe: http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=bahai-st Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:[email protected] Web - http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/?forum=bahai-st News (on-campus only) - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]
