--- On Mon, 15/3/10, Venkatesh Hariharan <[email protected]> wrote:
From: Venkatesh Hariharan <[email protected]>
Subject: [silk] Untold story Who Killed Gautama?
To: [email protected]
Date: Monday, 15 March, 2010, 18:21
I am unsure of what to make of this article on the life of Gautam
Buddha - its so differenent from what we have heard, learnt, read so
far. In fact, it reads like a thriller. The comments are interesting too.
"BUDDHA: Untold story
Who Killed Gautama?"
New research reveals the dark truths on the life and times of Buddha
http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?264458
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A very provocative interpretation.
1. I have read most of the details mentioned in the article at one time or
the other, while reading up on the Buddha's life for the degree exams. As tends
to happen while swotting for an exam., one tends to lose perspective.
2. The Buddha's worldly wise outlook, his ability to deal with the politics
of the India of 'janapadas', his dependence on Prasenjit and his uneasy
relationship with Bimbisara, who supported him, and Ajatasatru, who didn't, are
all reported and are well documented.
3. Dissension in the Sangha, even during the Buddha's life, is also well
documented. That Ananda was not universally popular is known from the texts.
The loss of Sariputta and Mogallana was heavy to bear. Ananda himself was
treated with scant courtesy by Kassapa.
4. The last desperate attempt of the Buddha to warn his clan of impending
disaster is recorded.
5. The meal of pork is well-known of course; this is the first time I have
read all the details.
All in all, it took just a few minutes to feel that someone had pushed the
pieces together, and a strange picture had formed.
Great article.
