Once the Buddha went to visit Brahma, who greeted, 'welcome sir, at last you
have taken the opportunity to come here. This is a stable, continuous, and
perpetual state. This is complete, not a transient state. It is not born, does
not age, does not die. This does not arise and not go beyond.'
The Buddha replied, ' I understand your destiny, your great splendor and great
fame, such as the moon and the sun revolve in splendor, lighting all quarters
in the thousand world system. But you don't know there are three other realms.
There is a group called the radiant one, from passing away of which you arose
in this place. But because of your long sojourn you have lost the memory. There
are further the lustrious one and Vehapphala. '
Do Brahma's remarks sound familiar?
Never mind the mythology presented here. This 'Discourse on Brahma', along with
Diamond Sutra, Lankavatara etc form a foundation of zen.
On the other hand, the statement above may contain some Anti-Christianity
content, so parental guidance is advisable.
Anthony
