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...

Linked Discourse 2.6 With Angel Kamada Sometime ago in old India, at Savatthi. Standing to one side, the Angel Kamada said to the Buddha,       “It’s too hard, Blessed One! It’s just too hard!” Buddha said to the Angel:      “They do it even though it’s hard,”      “the stable trainees with ethics, and samadhi.      For one who has entered the homeless life,      contentment brings happiness.” Angel Kamada replied:      “Such contentment, Blessed One, is hard to find.” Buddha said to the Angel:      “They find it even though it’s hard,”      “those who love peace of mind;      whose minds love to meditate      day and night.” Angel Kamada replied:      “But it’s hard, Blessed One, to immerse this mind in samadhi.” Buddha said to the Angel:      “They become immersed in samadhi      even tho...

Linked Discourse 7.1 With Dhananjani So I have heard.  At one time (in old India), the Buddha was staying near Rajagaha, in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground. Now at that time a certain brahmin lady of the Bharadvaja clan named Dhananjani was devoted to the Buddha, the teaching, and the Sangha, community of Buddha's disciples. Once, while she was bringing her husband his meal, she tripped and expressed this heartfelt sentiment three times: “Homage to that Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha! Homage to that Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha! Homage to that Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha!” When she said this, the brahmin said to Dhananjani: “That’d be right. For the slightest thing this lowlife woman spouts out praise for that bald ascetic. Now, lowlife woman, I’m going to refute your teacher’s words!” She replied: “Brahmin, I don’t see anyone in this world—with its gods, Maras, and Brahmas, this p...

Linked Discourse 55.54, Discourse about Sick At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Sakyans, near Kapilavatthu in the Banyan Tree Monastery. At that time several monks were making a robe for the Buddha, thinking that when his robe was finished and the three months of the rains residence had passed the Buddha would set out wandering. Mahanama the Sakyan heard about this. Then, he went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him that he had heard that the Buddha was leaving.  He added, “Sir, I haven’t heard and learned it in the presence of the Buddha how a wise lay follower should advise another wise lay follower who is sick, suffering, gravely ill.” Buddha said: “Mahanama, a wise lay follower should put at ease another wise lay follower who is sick, suffering, gravely ill with four consolations. ‘Be at ease, sir.  You have experiential confidence in the Buddha …  ... the teaching. ... the Sangha, community of Buddha's disciples. And you have...

Eternal Truths: The Buddha's Insights on Life and Mortality Linked Discourse 3.3, Old Age and Death. At one time in old India, at Savatthi. Seated to one side, King Pasenadi said to the Buddha, “Sir, for someone who has been born, is there any exemption from old age and death?” “Great king, for someone who has been born, there’s no exemption from old age and death. Even for well-to-do aristocrats, brahmins, or householders, who are rich, affluent, and wealthy, with lots of gold and silver, lots of houses, properties and assets, lots of money and foods; when they’re born, there’s no exemption from old age and death.  Even for monks who are perfected, who have ended the defilements, completed the spiritual journey, done what had to be done, laid down the burden, achieved their own goal, utterly ended the fetter of  existence, and are rightly freed through awakening; their bodies are liable to break up and be laid to rest.” That is what the Buddha said. Buddha continued: “Fa...

Guarding the Mind: Teachings of the Buddha to Young Monks and Lay Folks. Linked Discourses 35.127, With Bharadvaja. At one time Venerable Bharadvaja the Alms-Gatherer was staying near Kosambi, in Ghosita’s Monastery. Then King Udena went up to Bharadvaja the Alms-Gatherer and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side, and said to him: “Mister Bharadvaja, there are these young monks who are youthful, with pristine black hair, blessed with youth, in the prime of life; and they’ve never played around with sensual pleasures. What is the cause, what is the reason why they practice the full and pure spiritual life as long as they live, maintaining it for a long time?” “Great king, this has been stated by the Blessed One, who knows and sees, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha: ‘Please, monks, think of women your mother’s age as your mother. Think of women your sister’s age as your sister. And think of women your d...

From Riches to Wasted: The Story of Untapped Fortune by Buddha | Buddha Moral Lesson Linked Discourse 3.19 Without Children. Once upon a time at Savatthi (in India). Then King Pasenadi of Kosala went up to the Buddha in the middle of the day, bowed, and sat down to one side.  The Buddha said to him,  “So, great king, where are you coming from in the middle of the day?” King Pasenadi replied: “Sir, here in Savatthi a businessman householder has passed away. Since he died without any children, I have come after transferring his fortune to the royal compound. There was eight million in gold coin, not to mention the silver coin. And yet that businessman ate meals of rough gruel with pickles. He wore clothes consisting of three pieces of sun hemp. He traveled around in a vehicle that was an old little cart, using a leaf as sunshade cover.” Buddha replied: “That’s so true, great king! That’s so true!  When an untrue person has acquired exceptional wealth they don’t make th...

Buddha Heal An Angry Person: A Tale of Anger, Fool and Awakening Linked Discourse 7.2, With the Abuser At one time the Buddha was staying near Rajagaha, in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground. The brahmin Bharadvaja with Nickname "the Rude" heard a rumor that one of brahmin of the Bharadvaja clan had gone forth from the lay life to homelessness in the presence of the ascetic Gotama. Angry and displeased he went to the Buddha and abused and insulted him with rude, harsh words.  When he had spoken, the Buddha said to him: “What do you think, brahmin? Do friends and colleagues, relatives and kin, and guests still come to visit you?” Bharadvaja replied: “Sometimes they do, Mister Gotama.” Then, Buddha asked again: “Do you then serve them with fresh and cooked foods and savories?” Bharadvaja replied: “Sometimes I do.” Then, Buddha asked: “But if they don’t accept it, brahmin, who does it belong to?” Bharadvaja replied: “In that case it still belongs to me.” Buddha conc...

Faith and Wisdom: Buddha's Comforting Words to Noble Disciples about Fear of Death Linked Discourse 55.21 So I have heard.  At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Sakyans, 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, this Kapilavatthu is successful and prosperous, populous, full of people, with cramped cul-de-sacs. In the late afternoon, after paying homage to the Buddha or an esteemed monk, I enter Kapilavatthu. I encounter a stray elephant, horse, chariot, cart, or person. At that time I lose mindfulness regarding the Buddha, the teaching, and the Sangha. I think: ‘If I were to die at this time, where would I be born in my next life?’” Buddha replied: “Do not fear, Mahanama, do not fear! Your death will not be a bad one; your passing will not be a bad one. Take someone whose mind has for a long time been trained with faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom...

Transforming Traits: The Key to Stream-Entry in Buddhism, Linked Discourse 55.13 At one time the venerables Ananda and Sariputta were staying near Savatthi in Jeta’s Grove, Anathapindika’s monastery.  Then in the late afternoon, Venerable Sariputta came out of retreat, went 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: “Friend, how many things do people have to give up and how many do they have to possess in order for the Buddha to declare that they’re a stream-enterer, not liable to be born in the underworld, bound for awakening?” “Friend, people have to give up four traits and possess four traits in order for the Buddha to declare that they’re a stream-enterer, not liable to be born in the underworld, bound for awakening. What are the four traits?  They don’t have the distrust in the Buddha that causes an unlearned ordinary person to be born in a place of loss, a bad ...

Rebirth and Realization: The Fate of Buddha's Disciples - Linked Discourses 55.8 So I have heard.  At one time the Buddha was staying at Natika in the brick house. Then Venerable Ananda went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to Buddha: “Sir, the monk named Salha has passed away. Where has he been born in his next life?  Then, The nun named Nanda, the layman named Sudatta, and the laywoman named Sujata have passed away. Where have they been born in the next life?” (Buddha replied:) “Ananda, the monk Saḷha passed away having realized the undefiled freedom of mind and freedom by wisdom in this very life, having realized it with his own insight due to the ending of defilements. The nun Nanda passed away having ended the five lower fetters. She’s been born spontaneously, and will be extinguished there, not liable to return from that world. The layman Sudatta passed away having ended three fetters, and weakened greed, hate, and delusion. He’s a once-returner; h...

Reflections on Ethical Life and Purification of Conducts by Buddha that lead to Heavenly Birth, Linked Discourse 55.7 So I have heard.  At one time the Buddha was wandering in the land of the Kosalans together with a Sangha, a community of monks, when he arrived at a village of the Kosalan brahmins named Bamboo Gate. The brahmins and householders of Bamboo Gate heard: “It seems the ascetic Gotama—a Sakyan, gone forth from a Sakyan family—has arrived at Bamboo Gate, together with a large Sangha of monks. He has this good reputation: ‘ There is the Blessed One, Who has broken the bonds, A fully transformed awakened Buddha, Who fully understood behaviors and living according to the knowledge, Who has become good, Knower of the worlds, Supreme guide for those who wish to train, Teacher of gods and humans, Awakened, Blessed.’ He has realized with his own insight this world—with its gods, Maras or Devils, and Brahmas, this population with its ascetics and brahmins, gods and humans—and he...

Buddha and Sariputta: Defining the Path to Stream-Entry | Linked Discourse 55.5 Then Sariputta went up to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side.  The Buddha said to him: “Sariputta, they speak of a ‘factor of stream-entry’. What is a factor of stream-entry?” Sariputta replied: “Sir, the factors of stream-entry are associating with true persons, listening to the true teaching, focus attention of mind (while listening to true dhamma), and practicing in line with the teaching.” Buddha agreed to Sariputta: “Good, good, Sariputta! For the factors of stream-entry are associating with true persons, listening to the true teaching, focus attention of mind (while listening to true dhamma), and practicing in line with the teaching. Then, Buddha said: Sariputta, they speak of ‘the stream’. What is the stream?” Sariputta answered: “Sir, the stream is simply this noble eightfold path, that is: right view, right thought, right speech, right action, right lifestyle, right effort, right mindf...

Final Teachings of Buddha to Dying Disciples: A Lesson in Confidence and Detachment | Linked Discourse 55.3 At one time the Buddha was staying near Rajagaha, in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground. Now at that time the lay follower Dighavu was sick, suffering, gravely ill.  Then, he addressed his father, the householder Jotika, “Please, householder, go to the Buddha, and in my name bow with your head to his feet.  Say to him: ‘Sir, the lay follower Dighavu is sick, suffering, gravely ill. He bows with his head to your feet.’  And then say: ‘Sir, please visit him at his home out of sympathy.’” “Yes, dear,” replied Jotika.  He did as Dighavu asked and went to meet Buddha.  The Buddha consented with silence after Jotika speak to him. Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, went to the home of the lay follower Dighavu, sat down on the seat spread out, and said to him:  “I hope you’re keeping well, Dighavu; I ...

At Savatthi. There the Buddha said: “Monks, suppose a wheel-turning monarch were to rule as sovereign lord over these four continents. And when his body breaks up, after death, he’s reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm, in the company of the gods of the thirty-three, Tavatimsa. There, he entertains himself in the Garden of Delight, escorted by a band of nymphs, and supplied and provided with the five kinds of heavenly sensual stimulation. Still, as he’s lacking four qualities, he’s not exempt from hell, the animal realm, or the ghost realm. He’s not exempt from places of loss, bad places, the underworld. Now, suppose a noble disciple wears rags and feeds on scraps of almsfood. Still, as they have four qualities of noble disciples, they’re exempt from hell, the animal realm, or the ghost realm. They’re exempt from places of loss, bad places, the underworld. What four qualities? It’s when a noble disciple has unshakable confidence in the Buddha:  ‘In this way, the Blessed One, Wh...

Connected Discourses 1.25 - Discourses about Perfected, Arahant   “When a mendicant is perfected, accomplished, with defilements ended, bearing the final body: would they say, ‘I speak’, or even ‘they speak to me’?”   “When a mendicant is perfected, accomplished, with defilements ended, bearing the final body: they would say, ‘I speak’, and also ‘they speak to me’. Skillful, understanding the world’s labels, they’d use these terms as no more than expressions.”   “When a mendicant is perfected, accomplished, with defilements ended, bearing the final body: is such a mendicant drawing close to conceit if they’d say, ‘I speak’, or even ‘they speak to me’?”   “Someone who has given up conceit has no ties, the ties of conceit are all dissipated. Though that intelligent person has transcended conceiving, they’d still say, ‘I speak’, and also ‘they speak to me’. Skillful, understanding the world’s labels, they’d use these...

Sutta for foolish people may have confusion or doubt regarding the Tathagata Ekaṃ samayaṃ bhagavā nālandāyaṃ viharati pāvārikambavane. Atha kho āyasmā sāriputto yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṃ abhivādetvā ekamantaṃ nisīdi. Ekamantaṃ nisinno kho āyasmā sāriputto bhagavantaṃ etadavoca: On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Nalanda in Pavarika’s Mango Grove. Then the Venerable Sāriputta approached the Blessed One, paid homage to him, sat down to one side, and said to him: “evaṃpasanno ahaṃ, bhante, bhagavati. Na cāhu, na ca bhavissati, na cetarahi vijjati añño samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā bhagavatā bhiyyobhiññataro, yadidaṃ—sambodhiyan”ti. “Venerable sir, I have such confidence in the Blessed One that I believe there has not been nor ever will be nor exists at present another ascetic or brahmin more knowledgeable than the Blessed One with respect to enlightenment.” “Uḷārā kho tyāyaṃ, sāriputta, āsabhī vācā bhāsitā, ekaṃso gahito, sīhanādo nadito: ‘evaṃpas...