Buddha's Rebirths - Possible Paradox

Exploring Theravāda's connections to other paths - what can we learn from other traditions, religions and philosophies?
Spiny Norman
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Re: Buddha's Rebirths - Possible Paradox

Post by Spiny Norman »

daverupa wrote: Research into the technology of the Buddhist oral traditions suggests a complex and somewhat fluid process of transmission and sutta creation.
Which research is that, Dave?
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daverupa
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Re: Buddha's Rebirths - Possible Paradox

Post by daverupa »

Spiny Norman wrote:
daverupa wrote: Research into the technology of the Buddhist oral traditions suggests a complex and somewhat fluid process of transmission and sutta creation.
Which research is that, Dave?
http://www.dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.ph ... 20#p249821

:focus:
  • "And how is it, bhikkhus, that by protecting oneself one protects others? By the pursuit, development, and cultivation of the four establishments of mindfulness. It is in such a way that by protecting oneself one protects others.

    "And how is it, bhikkhus, that by protecting others one protects oneself? By patience, harmlessness, goodwill, and sympathy. It is in such a way that by protecting others one protects oneself.

- Sedaka Sutta [SN 47.19]
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Alex123
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Re: Buddha's Rebirths - Possible Paradox

Post by Alex123 »

hgg wrote:In all the texts that describe the previous births of the last Buddha and all the previous ones, I noticed that all the rebirths and previous lifes take place somewhere in the vast region of India or near. Same for all his students as well.
How can we be sure that these stories have to be taken literally?

There are suttas that claim that town of Rajagaha existed for 100,000s of years... If we take numbers literally, it appears that Buddha Kassapa lived ~500 million years ago... Obviously the contradicts the current knowledge of human history and evolution ...
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