Dhamma Wheel Buddhist Forum

26. "The body of a universal monarch, Ananda, is first wrapped round with new linen, and then with teased cotton wool, and so it is done up to five hundred layers of linen and five hundred of cotton wool. When that is done, the body of the universal monarch is placed in an iron[48] oil vessel, which is enclosed in another iron vessel, a funeral pyre is built of all kinds of perfumed woods, and so the body of the universal monarch is burned; and at a crossroads a stupa is raised for the universal monarch. So it is done, Ananda, with the body of a universal monarch. And even, Ananda, as with the body of a universal monarch, so should it be done with the body of the Tathagata; and at a crossroads also a stupa should be raised for the Tathagata. And whosoever shall bring to that place garlands or incense or sandalpaste, or pay reverence, and whose mind becomes calm there — it will be to his well being and happiness for a long time.
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .vaji.html

samtheman wrote:Hello everyone,

Here are some questions I have about how people have reacted after Buddha's death

1. Did Buddha want us to make statues about him and worship him? I don't understand the point of doing this. I mean Buddha was indeed an admirable man, but I'm sure he wants us to help someone in need rather than worshipping his statues.

2. Is worshiping with flowers etc nessecary? Isn't it better helping someone else or doing some other good karma that actually has an effect on someone during this time.

3. Why do in some places small children are taken as monks. I mean you have to look no further than Buddha's life. He experienced all the pleasures in life and then understood it was meaningless and reached enlightenment. These small monks have not experienced these pleasures so how can they understand they are meaningless.

Having said all that. I understand that temples are necessary. It is a place for monks to recruit and find shelter and to continue on their efforts to find peace. Also for the longevity and spread of Buddhism temples are a good thing. Not saying they are entirely bad, but I like the answers for above questions. Thanks

mahat wrote: Children who were wise beyond their age and could see the dangers of sense desires and they themselves seeing the dangers of sense desires were allowed to ordain -- with the approval of their parents.

1. Buddha images were not made during the time of the Buddha. He allowed Ānanda to plant the Ānanda Bodhi Tree as a place for visitors to worship when the Buddha was away on tour.
2. The Buddha made it clear that the best way to revere him was to practice his teaching. See the Mahāparinibbāna Sutta. He instructed a pagoda to be built when Arahants passed away.
3. The Buddha's own son, Rāhula, became a monk at the age of seven. There were others who become Arahants at that age while being ordained. Some children are wiser than some old monks. It is not necessary to enjoy every kind of pleasure to figure out that they are the cause of suffering, just as it is not necessary to drink the entire ocean to understand that it is salty.

Bhikkhu Pesala wrote: ↑Tue Jun 13, 2017 3:56 am

1. Buddha images were not made during the time of the Buddha. He allowed Ānanda to plant the Ānanda Bodhi Tree as a place for visitors to worship when the Buddha was away on tour.
2. The Buddha made it clear that the best way to revere him was to practice his teaching. See the Mahāparinibbāna Sutta. He instructed a pagoda to be built when Arahants passed away.
3. The Buddha's own son, Rāhula, became a monk at the age of seven. There were others who become Arahants at that age while being ordained. Some children are wiser than some old monks. It is not necessary to enjoy every kind of pleasure to figure out that they are the cause of suffering, just as it is not necessary to drink the entire ocean to understand that it is salty.