Rael Buddhism

So I have heard.  At one time, when he was first awakened, the Buddha was staying in Uruvela at the root of the goatherd’s banyan tree on the bank of the Neranjara River. Then, as he was in private retreat this thought came to his mind,       “One without respect and reverence lives in suffering. What ascetic or brahmin should I honor and respect and rely on?” Then it occurred to him: It would be for the sake of fulfilling an unfulfilled aspect of virtue that I would honor, respect, and stay following the guidance of another ascetic or brahmin. But, in this world with its gods, Mara, and Brahma, in this generation with its ascetics and brahmins, its gods and humans, I do not see another ascetic or brahmin more accomplished in virtue than myself, whom I could honor, respect, and remain following his guidance. It would be for the sake of fulfilling an unfulfilled aspect of samadhi that I would honor, respect, and stay following the guidance of another ascetic...

Linked Discourse 51.15 with Unnabha Brahmin So I have heard.  At one time Venerable Ananda was staying near Kosambi, in Ghosita’s Monastery. Then, Unnabha the brahmin went up to Venerable Ananda, and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side and said to him,       “Worthy Ananda, what’s the purpose of leading the spiritual life under the ascetic Gotama?” Venerable Ananda replied:      “The purpose of leading the spiritual life under the Buddha, brahmin, is to give up desire.” Unnabha said:      “But is there a path and a practice for giving up that desire?” Venerable Ananda replied:      “There is.” Unnabha asked:      “What is that path?” Venerable Ananda replied:      “It’s when a monk develops the basis of psychic power that has samadhi due to enthusiasm … energy … mental development … inquiry, and active effor...

Middle Length Discourse 53 The Buddha's Trainee So I have heard.  At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Sakyans, near Kapilavatthu in the Banyan Tree Monastery. Now at that time a new town hall had recently been constructed for the Sakyans of Kapilavatthu. It had not yet been occupied by an ascetic or brahmin or any person at all. Then the Sakyans of Kapilavatthu went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him: “Sir, a new town hall has recently been constructed for the Sakyans of Kapilavatthu. It has not yet been occupied by an ascetic or brahmin or any person at all. May the Buddha be the first to use it, and only then will the Sakyans of Kapilavatthu use it. That would be for the lasting welfare and happiness of the Sakyans of Kapilavatthu.”  The Buddha consented with silence. Then, knowing that the Buddha had consented, the Sakyans got up from their seat, bowed, and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on their right. Then they w...

Numbered Discourse 8.25 with Mahanama At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Sakyans (in old India), near Kapilavatthu in the Banyan Tree Monastery. Then, Mahanama the Sakyan went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him: “Sir, how is a lay follower defined?” Buddha replied: “Mahanama, when you’ve gone for refuge to the Buddha, the teaching, and the Sangha (community of Buddha's disciples), you’re considered to be a lay follower.” “But how is an ethical lay follower defined?” “When a lay follower doesn’t kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, lie, or consume beer, wine, and liquor intoxicants, they’re considered to be an ethical lay follower.” Buddha continued: “But how do we define a lay follower who is practicing to benefit themselves, not others?” “A lay follower is accomplished in faith, but doesn’t encourage others to do the same.  They’re accomplished in ethical conduct, but don’t encourage others to do the same.  The...

Middle Length Discourse 54 With Potaliya the Householder So I have heard. At one time (in old India), the Buddha was staying in the land of the Anguttarapans, near the town of theirs named Apana. Then, the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Apana for alms. He wandered for alms in Apana. After the meal, on his return from almsround, he went to a certain forest grove for the day’s meditation. Having plunged deep into it, he sat at the root of a certain tree to meditate. Potaliya the householder also approached that forest grove while going for a walk. He was well dressed in sarong and cloak, with umbrella and sandals. Having plunged deep into it, he went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he stood to one side, and the Buddha said to him,       “There are seats, householder. Please sit if you wish.” When he said this, Potaliya was angry and upset. Thinking...

Numbered Discourse 5.88 Senior Monks (Sometime ago in India, Buddha said this:) “Monks, a senior monk who has five qualities is acting for the detriment and suffering of the people, against the people, for the harm, detriment, and suffering of of gods and humans. What are the five qualities? They are long standing and have long gone forth. They’re well-known, famous, with a large following that includes both laypeople and renunciates. They receive robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick. They’re very learned, remembering and keeping what they’ve learned. These teachings are good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased, describing a spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure. They are very learned in such teachings, remembering them, rehearsing them, mentally scrutinizing them, and comprehending them theoretically. But they have wrong view and distorted perspective. They draw many people away from the true t...

Numbered Discourse 5.33 With Uggaha At one time in old India, the Buddha was staying near Bhaddiya, in Jatiya Wood. Then Uggaha, Mendaka’s grandson, went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him,  “Sir, may the Buddha please accept tomorrow’s meal from me, together with three other monks.”  The Buddha consented with silence.  Then, knowing that the Buddha had consented, Uggaha got up from his seat, bowed, and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on his right, before leaving. Then, when the night had passed, the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, went to Uggaha’s home, where he sat on the seat spread out. Afterward, Uggaha served and satisfied the Buddha with his own hands with delicious fresh and cooked foods. When the Buddha had eaten and washed his hand and bowl, Uggaha sat down to one side, and said to him,  “Sir, these girls of mine will be going to their husbands’ families. May the Buddha please advise and...

Numbered Discourse 5.58 The Licchavi Youths Sometime ago in old India, at one time the Buddha was staying near Vesali, at the Great Wood, in the hall with the peaked roof. Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Vesali for alms. Then after the meal, on his return from almsround, he plunged deep into the Great Wood and sat at the root of a tree for the day’s seclusion meditation. Now at that time, several Licchavi youths took strung bows and, escorted by a pack of hounds, were going for a walk in the Great Wood when they saw the Buddha seated at the root of a tree. When they saw him, they put down their strung bows, tied their hounds up to one side, and went up to him. They bowed and silently paid homage to the Buddha with joined palms. Now at that time Mahanama the Licchavi was going for a walk in the Great Wood when he saw those Licchavi youths silently paying homage to the Buddha with joined palms. Seeing this, he went up to the Buddha, bowe...

Numbered Discourses 8.54 With Dighajanu At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Koliyans, where they have a town named Kakkarapatta. Then, one of the lay person named Dighajanu the Koliyan went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to the Buddha: “Sir, we are laypeople who enjoy sensual pleasures and living at home with our children. We use sandalwood imported from Kasi, we wear garlands, fragrance, and makeup, and we accept gold and currency. May the Buddha please teach us the Dhamma in a way that leads to our welfare and happiness in this present life and in future lives.” “Byagghapajja, these four skills lead to the welfare and happiness of a gentleman in this present life. What  are the four skills? Skills in business, preservation, good friendship, and balanced finances.  And what is the skill in job or business?  It’s when a gentleman earns a living by means such as farming, trade, raising cattle, archery, government service, business...