Immediately after the Buddha achieved his enlightenment, after a week of sitting in continuous meditation and wrestling with his own demons, why did he reach down with one hand to touch the earth?
2007-05-04 10:46:50 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
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Reply to Vinslave:: So the traditional stories suggest. Can you think of any other reasons for this action? ;-)
2007-05-04 10:57:07 · update #1
He experienced the 8th perspective.
He realized that All That Is is within the individual. He experienced the reality of All That Is(the 7th perspective) and then 'took it to the next level' which led him right back to square one; the 1st perspective,(individuality) It was then that he realized that All That Is is within us and within all of creation. "...and we will arrive where we started, and know the place for the first time..." Then he reached down to touch the earth.
2007-05-04 14:19:42 · answer #1 · answered by ? 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
A good question, I had to think well about this very well posted question... Prince Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment then passed on his knowledge. Upon reaching enlightenment, he became the Buddha and the term Buddha means Enlightened One...therefore he became the Enlightened One...for example...Buddha Dharma means Teachings of the Enlightened One... Ther term Buddha does not mean enlightenment, it means Enlightened One as refered to a person who has reached this state. As Siddhartha Gautama was a Buddha he was thus an Enlightened One. It is considered possible that all may reach this state and can therefore be considered an Enlightened One...a Buddha.. The term Buddha refers to a person whereas Enlightenment refers to their state of awareness... I hope this helps... Peace from a Buddhist..
2016-05-20 22:08:04 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In depictions of Sakyammuni - the historical Buddha - the earth-touching gesture is made with the Buddha sitting in the lotus postion. His right hand falls over his right knee and touches the earth.
This mudra recalls the moment prior to his enlightenment when the Buddha called upon the earth to witness his perfect commitment to gaining complete realization. In short, therefore, the earth-touching gesture symbolizes the Buddha's enlightenment.
2007-05-04 11:20:07 · answer #3 · answered by Daniel F 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A different version of this story concerning that "earth touching" gesture as follows:
The Buddha was seated with begging-bowl in hand, outside the home of a wealthy man. The wealthy man came out and scolded Buddha, calling him a "good-for-nothing" who did no work to earn his food and therefore served no purpose in society. The Buddha's response was simply to point to the ground, to indicate that a teacher of moral virtue has earned at least the right to dwell in the few square feet of ground space that they occupy.
2007-05-05 21:46:28 · answer #4 · answered by Anger eating demon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Literature says that it was to show the earth as his witness.
This means that enlightenment is in the world. The world (forms) is a manifestation of truth. The source of enlightenment can be found through the worldly experiences, not in divisions and theories.
This is just my little opinion. It's subject to change, and possibly error.
2007-05-04 18:05:09 · answer #5 · answered by Teaim 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well putting aside the witness thing for a moment, and looking for other symbolic truth...
He could have raised his face or arms skywards, and implied that enlightenment leads one to look to the heavens or things greater than oneself. He could have stood to his feet and implied that enlightenment leads one to stand upon one's own efforts. He could have fallen prostrate and implied that enlightenment leads one to recognize one's own humble status. But instead, he reached down with one hand and touched the earth, implying that enlightenment leads one to recognize one's connection to all things living and nonliving upon the earth.
Excellent question! I always love when people try to look beyond one interpretation and see if there's anything deeper to discover in a story!
2007-05-05 11:36:55 · answer #6 · answered by dreamed1 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He was calling upon the earth deity / goddess to act as witness to the fact that he had practiced 'merit' (pu~n~na) in past lives to an extent to deserve Samma Sambodhi (Perfect Self Awakening), and defeat Maara, in terms of Spiritual Power.
2007-05-05 10:50:29 · answer #7 · answered by goodfella 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Buddha was invoking mother earth as a witness to his right to occupy his position which Mora claimed it's own.
2007-05-04 11:05:52 · answer #8 · answered by nikola333 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This was before his enlightenment for Mara was using the last trick, Dharma as it pertains to duty to family, Kara told him he had a wife,and son, etc. he should be looking after. What gave him the right to be seeking enlightenment. ~ : )
2007-05-04 13:28:59 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
He declared the Earth was his "witness" when being challenged on his enlightenment. That's why his fingers are on the earth.
_()_
2007-05-04 10:55:27 · answer #10 · answered by vinslave 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋