What
Buddhists Believe
Venerable K. Sri Dhammananda Maha Thera
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A
Successor to the Buddha
Buddhahood is the highest of all
achievements.
Many
people ask why the Buddha did not appoint a successor. But
can any one appoint another to take the place of the Supreme Enlightened
One? Attaining Buddhahood is the highest of all achievements that only the
wisest man can reach. He is the flower of mankind. To attain this highest
position, one must have the qualification such as self-training,
self-discipline, moral background, supreme knowledge, and extra-ordinary
compassion towards every living being. Therefore, a person himself must
take the trouble to qualify himself in order to attain Buddhahood. For
example, a doctor cannot appoint even his own son as doctor unless the son
has qualified himself to be a doctor. A lawyer cannot appoint another
person as a lawyer unless that person obtains the necessary
qualifications. A scientist cannot appoint another person as a scientist
unless that person possesses the knowledge of a scientist.
Therefore, the Buddha did
not appoint a successor. On the other hand, even if He had done that, the
person who was to succeed Him would not have the real qualities of the
Buddha and would certainly misuse the authority and mislead the public.
Authority over a religion
must be exercised by a person or persons possessing a clear mind, proper
understanding, perfection and leading a holy life. Authority should not be
exercised by worldly-minded people who have become slaves to sensual
pleasures or who crave for worldly material gain or power. Otherwise the
sacredness, freedom and truth in a religion could be abused.
'I am not the
first Buddha to come upon this earth; nor shall I be the last. Previously,
there were many Buddhas who appeared in this world. In due time, another
Buddha will arise in this world, within this world cycle.'
When the
Buddha was about to pass away, Ven. Ananda and many other disciples wept.
The Buddha said, 'Enough, Ananda. Do not allow yourself to be troubled. Do
not weep. Have I not already told you that it is in the very nature of
things that they must pass away. We must be separated from all that is
near and dear to us. The foolish man conceives his idea of Self; the wise
man sees there is no ground on which to build the Self. Thus
the wise man has a right conception of the world. He will conclude that
all component things will be dissolved again; but the Truth will always
remain.'
The Buddha
continued: 'Why should I preserve this body when the body of the excellent
law will endure? I am resolved. I have accomplished my purpose and have
attended to the work set upon me. Ananda, for a long time you have been
very near to me in thoughts, words and acts of much love beyond all
measure. You have done well, Ananda. Be earnest in effort and you too will
soon be free from bondages! You will be free from sensuality, from
delusion, and from ignorance.' Suppressing his tears, Ananda said to the
Buddha, 'Who shall teach us when You are gone?' And the Buddha advised him
to regard His Teaching as the Master.
The Buddha
continued again: 'I am not the first Buddha to come upon earth; nor shall
I be the last. In due time, another Buddha will arise in this world, a
Holy One, a Supremely Enlightened One, endowed with wisdom, in conduct
auspicious, knowing the universe, an incomparable leader of men, a master
of devas and men. He will reveal to you the same Eternal Truths which I
have taught you. He will proclaim a religious life, wholly perfect and
pure; such as I now proclaim.'
'How shall we
know him?' asked Ananda. The Buddha replied, 'He will be known as Maitreya
which means kindness or friendliness.'(In Buddhavamsa, 28 names of the
previous Buddhas are mentioned, including Gautama the Buddha.)
Buddhists believe that
those people who at present are doing meritorious deeds by leading a
religious life will have a chance to be reborn as human beings in the time
of Maitreya Buddha and will obtain Nibbana identical with
that of Gautama Buddha. In this way they will find salvation through the
guidance of His Teaching. His Teaching will become a hope of the remote
future for everybody. However, according to the Buddha devout religious
people can gain this Nibbanic bliss at any time if they really work for it
irrespective of whether a Buddha appears or not.
'As long as my
disciples lead a pure religious life, so long the world will never
become empty of Arahantas.' (Maha Parinibbana Sutta)
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Source: Buddhist
Study and Practice Group, http://www.sinc.sunysb.edu/Clubs/buddhism/
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Layout: Chan Duc - Nguyen Thao
Update : 01-11-2002
