Question re Buddha's birth stories.

A discussion on all aspects of Theravāda Buddhism
SarathW
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Question re Buddha's birth stories.

Post by SarathW »

Question re Buddha's birth stories.
1) Can we believe Buddha (Siddartha) walked immediately after he was born?
2) Can we believe that Buddha speak immediately after he was born?
3) How did Buddha so eloquent and fluent in the language the day he was born?
4) How did Buddha know that it was his last birth (did he know about the Nibbana before he was born)?
5) Can we reconcile the above with other stories such as Buddha leaving the palace due to seeing a sick man etc.?
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
Ontheway
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Re: Question re Buddha's birth stories.

Post by Ontheway »

Yes.

The Bodhisatta prince is a human being with enormous merits (puñña) and fulfilled 10 perfections (paramitas). The Bodhisatta once left the mother's womb, he was received by gods first, and only then human.
birth-of-siddhartha.jpg

Hardly comparable to modern human babies. The birth of Bodhisatta is glorious, I don't think the birth story of Jesus can compare with it, as if aluminium foil compares with a gold bar. In fact, the birth of such Bodhisatta is extremely rare as per Dhammapada verse:
Dp-pics_page432_image182c.jpg
https://tipitaka.fandom.com/wiki/Dhammapada

To me, those questions are quite unnecessary. Either way, it is the Dhamma that bring us the salvation. Dhamma is the real deal.
Hiriottappasampannā,
sukkadhammasamāhitā;
Santo sappurisā loke,
devadhammāti vuccare.

https://suttacentral.net/ja6/en/chalmer ... ight=false
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Kusala
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Re: Question re Buddha's birth stories.

Post by Kusala »

SarathW wrote: Sun May 28, 2023 8:26 am Question re Buddha's birth stories.
1) Can we believe Buddha (Siddartha) walked immediately after he was born?
2) Can we believe that Buddha speak immediately after he was born?
3) How did Buddha so eloquent and fluent in the language the day he was born?
4) How did Buddha know that it was his last birth (did he know about the Nibbana before he was born)?
5) Can we reconcile the above with other stories such as Buddha leaving the palace due to seeing a sick man etc.?
“Buddhism would remain what it is even if it were proved that the Buddha never lived.” - Christmas Humphreys
"He, the Blessed One, is indeed the Noble Lord, the Perfectly Enlightened One;
He is impeccable in conduct and understanding, the Serene One, the Knower of the Worlds;
He trains perfectly those who wish to be trained; he is Teacher of gods and men; he is Awake and Holy. "

--------------------------------------------
"The Dhamma is well-expounded by the Blessed One,
Apparent here and now, timeless, encouraging investigation,
Leading to liberation, to be experienced individually by the wise. "
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mjaviem
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Re: Question re Buddha's birth stories.

Post by mjaviem »

SarathW wrote: Sun May 28, 2023 8:26 am Question re Buddha's birth stories.
...
Believe whatever you need to believe that brings you confidence in his teachings.
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammā Sambuddhassa
SarathW
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Re: Question re Buddha's birth stories.

Post by SarathW »

Nathasha Edirisooriya, who made certain disrespectful remarks on Buddhism, has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) a short while ago while attempting to leave the country, Police said.

On Saturday, the CID launched an inquiry following a complaint that the suspect had allegedly made disrespectful remarks on Buddhist philosophy and culture as well as Christianity during a stand-up comedy show in Colombo recently.
The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) is conducting investigations to identify and record statements from those who were present at Nathasha Edirisooriya's stand-up comedy show held in Colombo, where certain disrespectful remarks were made on Buddhism.

Police spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said the Cyber Crimes Investigation Unit of the CID is conducting further investigations into the incident.

He said the police will record statements from some of the attendees as well.

On Saturday, the CID launched an inquiry following several complaints that Nathasha Edirisooriya, a stand-up comedian, had allegedly made disrespectful remarks on Buddhist philosophy and culture as well as Christianity during a stand-up comedy show at a leading girl's school in Colombo in April this year.

The video of the show went viral on social media last week, sparking a protest against her remarks. Later the suspect on an online video publicly apologized for the controversial statements she had made. The particular video was also removed from the social media platform.

The CID on Sunday arrested Nathasha Edirisooriya at the Katunayake airport while she was trying to leave for Singapore. She was later remanded till June 07 by Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage.(Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)
https://www.dailymirror.lk/top_story/Di ... 155-260050

Sri Lankan standup comedians ask the above questions. (bit funny way)
She was arrested and remanded by the Sri Lankan criminal investigation department.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
justindesilva
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Re: Question re Buddha's birth stories.

Post by justindesilva »

mjaviem wrote: Sun May 28, 2023 12:07 pm
SarathW wrote: Sun May 28, 2023 8:26 am Question re Buddha's birth stories.
...
Believe whatever you need to believe that brings you confidence in his teachings.

As there is no written liliterature on the birth of prince sidartha we are bound to believe stories that is retained by mouth . As of lord buddas ultimate character some state that those stories whether true or not mirror facts scientifically . That he spoke as soon as being born could be believed at least within a short period as a child prodigy . Late studies has shown that of language is learnt while in the womb . As of the 7 lotus flowers some believe it means awakening of the seven chakras while the mother had been in meditation towards awakening as a religious pious hindu.
I believe that these facts can be scientifically forwarded even as of today ..
justindesilva
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Re: Question re Buddha's birth stories.

Post by justindesilva »

mjaviem wrote: Sun May 28, 2023 12:07 pm
SarathW wrote: Sun May 28, 2023 8:26 am Question re Buddha's birth stories.
...
Believe whatever you need to believe that brings you confidence in his teachings.

As there is no written liliterature on the birth of prince sidartha we are bound to believe stories that is retained by mouth . As of lord buddas ultimate character some state that those stories whether true or not mirror facts scientifically . That he spoke as soon as being born could be believed at least within a short period as a child prodigy . Late studies has shown that of language is learnt while in the womb . As of the 7 lotus flowers some believe it means awakening of the seven chakras while the mother had been in meditation towards awakening as a religious pious hindu.
I believe that these facts can be scientifically forwarded even as of today ..
Ontheway
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Re: Question re Buddha's birth stories.

Post by Ontheway »

justindesilva wrote: Mon May 29, 2023 11:24 am
mjaviem wrote: Sun May 28, 2023 12:07 pm
SarathW wrote: Sun May 28, 2023 8:26 am Question re Buddha's birth stories.
...
Believe whatever you need to believe that brings you confidence in his teachings.

As there is no written liliterature on the birth of prince sidartha we are bound to believe stories that is retained by mouth . As of lord buddas ultimate character some state that those stories whether true or not mirror facts scientifically . That he spoke as soon as being born could be believed at least within a short period as a child prodigy . Late studies has shown that of language is learnt while in the womb . As of the 7 lotus flowers some believe it means awakening of the seven chakras while the mother had been in meditation towards awakening as a religious pious hindu.
I believe that these facts can be scientifically forwarded even as of today ..
This is so wrong.

You are placing science above Dhamma. And that will not work as science don't step into the realm of moral values or development. Furthermore, the Buddha talks about Jhanas, manomaya-iddhi, merits, demerits, attainment of sainthoods, etc., science can't possibly can comment or dictate on these topics.

And the cakras things, what it has to do with Buddha's birth story? I know Sri Lankans maybe quite obsessed with Hindu beliefs, but please don't mix Hindu belief into Buddhism.

And you said:
As there is no written liliterature on the birth of prince sidartha we are bound to believe stories that is retained by mouth
What? Haven't you heard of Acchariyaabbhutasuttaṁ?
Hiriottappasampannā,
sukkadhammasamāhitā;
Santo sappurisā loke,
devadhammāti vuccare.

https://suttacentral.net/ja6/en/chalmer ... ight=false
santa100
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Re: Question re Buddha's birth stories.

Post by santa100 »

SarathW wrote: Sun May 28, 2023 8:26 am Question re Buddha's birth stories...
No, if the frame of reference is a normal regular human being. But the Buddha wasn't just any normal regular human being, was he?
Sri Lankan standup comedians ask the above questions. (bit funny way)
She was arrested and remanded by the Sri Lankan criminal investigation department.
Guess that wasn't too bad compared to the case about that Vietnamese noodle vendor who got a 5+ year jail sentence for making fun of his country's ministers!
justindesilva
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Joined: Wed Jul 27, 2016 12:38 pm

Re: Question re Buddha's birth stories.

Post by justindesilva »

Ontheway wrote: Mon May 29, 2023 11:45 am
justindesilva wrote: Mon May 29, 2023 11:24 am
mjaviem wrote: Sun May 28, 2023 12:07 pm
Believe whatever you need to believe that brings you confidence in his teachings.

As there is no written liliterature on the birth of prince sidartha we are bound to believe stories that is retained by mouth . As of lord buddas ultimate character some state that those stories whether true or not mirror facts scientifically . That he spoke as soon as being born could be believed at least within a short period as a child prodigy . Late studies has shown that of language is learnt while in the womb . As of the 7 lotus flowers some believe it means awakening of the seven chakras while the mother had been in meditation towards awakening as a religious pious hindu.
I believe that these facts can be scientifically forwarded even as of today ..
This is so wrong.

You are placing science above Dhamma. And that will not work as science don't step into the realm of moral values or development. Furthermore, the Buddha talks about Jhanas, manomaya-iddhi, merits, demerits, attainment of sainthoods, etc., science can't possibly can comment or dictate on these topics.

And the cakras things, what it has to do with Buddha's birth story? I know Sri Lankans maybe quite obsessed with Hindu beliefs, but please don't mix Hindu belief into Buddhism.

And you said:
As there is no written liliterature on the birth of prince sidartha we are bound to believe stories that is retained by mouth
What? Haven't you heard of Acchariyaabbhutasuttaṁ?
If I have said it wrong , it is my view collected from listening to various channels discussed among certain learned bikkus thus forming my own subject to it , I never say that science is above buddhism . Any way I will read that sutta , thankfully .
SarathW
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Re: Question re Buddha's birth stories.

Post by SarathW »

santa100 wrote: Mon May 29, 2023 12:08 pm
SarathW wrote: Sun May 28, 2023 8:26 am Question re Buddha's birth stories...
No, if the frame of reference is a normal regular human being. But the Buddha wasn't just any normal regular human being, was he?
Sri Lankan standup comedians ask the above questions. (bit funny way)
She was arrested and remanded by the Sri Lankan criminal investigation department.
Guess that wasn't too bad compared to the case about that Vietnamese noodle vendor who got a 5+ year jail sentence for making fun of his country's ministers!
These politicians think they are invisible.
With the invent of social media the real Democracy is emerging fake democracies showing their true colors.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
Sha Bac
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Re: Question re Buddha's birth stories.

Post by Sha Bac »

During the course of human evolution, women gave birth at 18 to 24 months. When man began to walk upright, it narrowed the pelvis, and so the women began to give birth earlier because the baby was smaller.

Perhaps Buddha was in the womb longer than 9 months. Suppose it was 18 to 24 months. Doesn't literature say he was born from his mother's side? So he didn't have to pass through the pelvis.

Being born late would explain how he walked and spoke immediately.
SarathW
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Re: Question re Buddha's birth stories.

Post by SarathW »

Adam1234 wrote: Wed May 31, 2023 6:43 am During the course of human evolution, women gave birth at 18 to 24 months. When man began to walk upright, it narrowed the pelvis, and so the women began to give birth earlier because the baby was smaller.

Perhaps Buddha was in the womb longer than 9 months. Suppose it was 18 to 24 months. Doesn't literature say he was born from his mother's side? So he didn't have to pass through the pelvis.

Being born late would explain how he walked and spoke immediately.
I am not sure of the duration of the pregnancy.
The literature says that he was born from a vagina indirectly.
It appears she had the pain and then the women who supported her made an enclosure with cloths.
:shrug:
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
SarathW
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Re: Question re Buddha's birth stories.

Post by SarathW »

Do you find these stories in Tipitaka?
Which Sutta?
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
SarathW
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Re: Question re Buddha's birth stories.

Post by SarathW »

A Sri Lankan monk said that Buddha's birth stories are from Mhayana (in Lalitha Visthara) and not Theravada.

The video is in Sinhalese.

“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
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