Fake facts in biography Buddha?

A discussion on all aspects of Theravāda Buddhism
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Leon-nl
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Fake facts in biography Buddha?

Post by Leon-nl »

I'm writing a book about Theravada buddhism (in Dutch) and I want to keep as close to the Pali Canon as possible.
A lot of books telling the life of the Buddha mention the "four heavenly/divine" messengers that the Buddha-to-be encountered and that started him on the path of a search for enlightenment.
However, I read, and this appears to be true, that the "four heavenly/divine" messengers "belong" to another Buddha and that the last Buddha (Gautama) only tells this story of that other Buddha: Digha Nikaya 14.

Yet even a site as Buddhanet gives in its online study guide two biographies of the Buddha that mention the "four heavenly/divine" messengers as if they appeared in the life of the last Buddha, for example see: http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/bud ... d_lt03.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

So I am at a loss...

Your input is welcome!
“Look on the world as empty, Mogharāja, being always mindful.
Having removed wrong view of self, in this way one will cross beyond Death.
When looking on the world in this way the king of Death does not see one.” - Sn 5.15
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Dhammanando
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Re: Fake facts in biography Buddha?

Post by Dhammanando »

Leon-nl wrote:So I am at a loss...
In the Suttas it is a past Buddha Vipassī, who sees the devadūtas, and there is no description of Gotama doing so. In the commentaries we meet with the idea that there are thirty regularities (dhammatā) that occur in the final life of every person who is destined to be a Sammāsambuddha. The sixth of these is seeing the four signs and being moved by these to go forth into the homeless life.
Yena yena hi maññanti,
tato taṃ hoti aññathā.


In whatever way they conceive it,
It turns out otherwise.
(Sn. 588)
Leon-nl
Posts: 144
Joined: Thu Aug 30, 2012 11:44 pm

Re: Fake facts in biography Buddha?

Post by Leon-nl »

Thank you for your excellent clarification, Bhante!
“Look on the world as empty, Mogharāja, being always mindful.
Having removed wrong view of self, in this way one will cross beyond Death.
When looking on the world in this way the king of Death does not see one.” - Sn 5.15
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retrofuturist
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Re: Fake facts in biography Buddha?

Post by retrofuturist »

Greetings,

I recommend reading...

The Life of the Buddha: According to the Pali Canon by Bhikkhu Nanamoli.

:reading:

Metta,
Retro. :)
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
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Dhammanando
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Re: Fake facts in biography Buddha?

Post by Dhammanando »

retrofuturist wrote:The Life of the Buddha: According to the Pali Canon by Bhikkhu Nanamoli.
Seconded, though there's no need to buy it:

http://store.pariyatti.org/Life-of-the- ... _1412.html
Yena yena hi maññanti,
tato taṃ hoti aññathā.


In whatever way they conceive it,
It turns out otherwise.
(Sn. 588)
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retrofuturist
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Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2008 9:52 pm
Location: Melbourne, Australia
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Re: Fake facts in biography Buddha?

Post by retrofuturist »

Nice find, bhante.

:anjali:

Metta,
Retro. :)
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
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