Hi, everyone.
Imagine that you had a time machine that took you back to the Buddha's day (along with a universal translator straight out of Star Trek). Imagine further that you were able to speak with the Teacher. Let's say that he is 72 years old and the year is about 412 B.C.E. Devadatta has already tried to cause a schism. What question or three would you ask him (that you wouldn't mind posting here)?
Think of it as a way to bring to mind Buddhist mysteries or uncertainties that you might wish to investigate or issues in Buddhism that are important to you.
I think I’d ask the following:
1. "What form of meditation do you teach?” or “Would you guide me in meditation?”
2. “How would you describe the experience of recollecting your past lives?”
3. “How does the world appear to you?”
I am very interested to know what you would ask the Buddha if you could.
A Buddhist Time Machine
- sukhamanveti
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A Buddhist Time Machine
Sīlaṃ balaṃ appaṭimaṃ.
Sīlaṃ āvudhamuttamaṃ.
Sīlamābharaṇaṃ seṭṭhaṃ.
Sīlaṃ kavacamabbhutaṃ.
Virtue is a matchless power.
Virtue is the greatest weapon.
Virtue is the best adornment.
Virtue is a wonderful armor.
Theragatha 614
Sabbapāpassa akaraṇaṃ,
kusalassa upasampadā,
Sacittapariyodapanaṃ,
etaṃ buddhāna sāsanaṃ.
Refraining from all wrong-doing,
Undertaking the good,
Purifying the mind,
This is the teaching of the buddhas.
Dhammapada v. 183/14.5
Sīlaṃ āvudhamuttamaṃ.
Sīlamābharaṇaṃ seṭṭhaṃ.
Sīlaṃ kavacamabbhutaṃ.
Virtue is a matchless power.
Virtue is the greatest weapon.
Virtue is the best adornment.
Virtue is a wonderful armor.
Theragatha 614
Sabbapāpassa akaraṇaṃ,
kusalassa upasampadā,
Sacittapariyodapanaṃ,
etaṃ buddhāna sāsanaṃ.
Refraining from all wrong-doing,
Undertaking the good,
Purifying the mind,
This is the teaching of the buddhas.
Dhammapada v. 183/14.5
- Pannapetar
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Re: A Buddhist Time Machine
The first question I would ask is: "Would you like to take a ride to the 21st century in my time machine?"
Cheers, Thomas
Cheers, Thomas
- Monkey Mind
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- Location: Pacific Northwest, USA
Re: A Buddhist Time Machine
I would want to know which of the rules are "minor" rules.
"As I am, so are others;
as others are, so am I."
Having thus identified self and others,
harm no one nor have them harmed.
Sutta Nipāta 3.710
as others are, so am I."
Having thus identified self and others,
harm no one nor have them harmed.
Sutta Nipāta 3.710
Re: A Buddhist Time Machine
Well that is a damn good reply, Thomas. Agreed!
But let's suppose it is a Buddhist time machine that lets you go only one way. I'd ask:
I've been told you dwell in unrestricted awareness. What is that like?
Then I'd pull out the universal translator and punch in a few key words: Dukkha. Tanha.
Asava! What were you really saying?
Then I'd ask: teach me the Dhamma in brief, so I can take it back to the future.
But let's suppose it is a Buddhist time machine that lets you go only one way. I'd ask:
I've been told you dwell in unrestricted awareness. What is that like?
Then I'd pull out the universal translator and punch in a few key words: Dukkha. Tanha.
Asava! What were you really saying?
Then I'd ask: teach me the Dhamma in brief, so I can take it back to the future.
Re: A Buddhist Time Machine
1. I would ask him to take me to the deva realm like he did with one of his disciple and tell me about my past lives.
2. I would ask him to give me a personal Dhamma lessons to help me achieve jhanas and liberation from the taints.
3. I would ask him for ordination.
2. I would ask him to give me a personal Dhamma lessons to help me achieve jhanas and liberation from the taints.
3. I would ask him for ordination.
Re: A Buddhist Time Machine
Oops, I said it was only one way, and then I asked to come back. My bad. But it's a fun game to play anyway.
Like that three wishes thing: you can't wish for another wish.
So what would you ask?
Like that three wishes thing: you can't wish for another wish.
So what would you ask?
- sukhamanveti
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- Location: U.S.A.
Re: A Buddhist Time Machine
Pannapetar wrote:The first question I would ask is: "Would you like to take a ride to the 21st century in my time machine?"
Cheers, Thomas
Sīlaṃ balaṃ appaṭimaṃ.
Sīlaṃ āvudhamuttamaṃ.
Sīlamābharaṇaṃ seṭṭhaṃ.
Sīlaṃ kavacamabbhutaṃ.
Virtue is a matchless power.
Virtue is the greatest weapon.
Virtue is the best adornment.
Virtue is a wonderful armor.
Theragatha 614
Sabbapāpassa akaraṇaṃ,
kusalassa upasampadā,
Sacittapariyodapanaṃ,
etaṃ buddhāna sāsanaṃ.
Refraining from all wrong-doing,
Undertaking the good,
Purifying the mind,
This is the teaching of the buddhas.
Dhammapada v. 183/14.5
Sīlaṃ āvudhamuttamaṃ.
Sīlamābharaṇaṃ seṭṭhaṃ.
Sīlaṃ kavacamabbhutaṃ.
Virtue is a matchless power.
Virtue is the greatest weapon.
Virtue is the best adornment.
Virtue is a wonderful armor.
Theragatha 614
Sabbapāpassa akaraṇaṃ,
kusalassa upasampadā,
Sacittapariyodapanaṃ,
etaṃ buddhāna sāsanaṃ.
Refraining from all wrong-doing,
Undertaking the good,
Purifying the mind,
This is the teaching of the buddhas.
Dhammapada v. 183/14.5
Re: A Buddhist Time Machine
I'd say :
"Don't eat the pork!"
"Don't eat the pork!"
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Re: A Buddhist Time Machine
Lord samma sambuddha will look at the nature of your mind and tell very few words and u will be an arhat within seconds if u got that right.
the greatest teacher - buddha
the greatest teacher - buddha
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Re: A Buddhist Time Machine
"Would you ordain me now?"
Then once I attain arahatship I would transport myself into the minute after which I left so the family wouldn't miss me too much (though they'd probably be disturbed by the fact that I aged 20 years!)
Then once I attain arahatship I would transport myself into the minute after which I left so the family wouldn't miss me too much (though they'd probably be disturbed by the fact that I aged 20 years!)
_/|\_
Re: A Buddhist Time Machine
What is more important on a daily basis: Loving-kindness or equanimity?
What is more important: Sutta study or meditation?
What is the one most important thing I can do at this moment?
Can you teach me the Dhamma in brief, so that it can be understood in our world?
What is more important: Sutta study or meditation?
What is the one most important thing I can do at this moment?
Can you teach me the Dhamma in brief, so that it can be understood in our world?
Re: A Buddhist Time Machine
Since you have died there have been many divergent ways of understanding your teachings. What would you say to the Tibetans? the Japanese?
Since you have died your Dhamma has come to the west. Do we understand it correctly?
Since you have died we are reading commentaries of the comments. There are so many extrapolations of your words. Should we pay attention? Or just read the Suttas?
Since you have died your Dhamma has come to the west. Do we understand it correctly?
Since you have died we are reading commentaries of the comments. There are so many extrapolations of your words. Should we pay attention? Or just read the Suttas?
Re: A Buddhist Time Machine
What is your real nature?
Do we all have it?
Do we all have it?
Re: A Buddhist Time Machine
would you like to sit down?
would you like a cup of tea?
is there anything else I can do for you?
I always get good teachings from monks when I open with these ... ....
Stuart
xxx
Re: A Buddhist Time Machine
Actually the first thing i thot of was that id give him a peice of chocolate.sukhamanveti wrote:
I am very interested to know what you would ask the Buddha if you could.
“The truth knocks on the door and you say, "Go away, I'm looking for the truth," and so it goes away. Puzzling.” ― Robert M. Pirsig