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are ther any prophets or individuals of distinction in buddhism except buddha himself

2007-10-07 13:47:09 · 6 answers · asked by Sydney 3 in Society & Culture Religion & Spirituality

6 answers

Yes. There are people of distinction in Buddhism...so to speak, from a laypersons perspective anyway.

All beings are beings of distinction, that is why no one is of distinction.

Of course it is all dependent on why school of Buddhist thought you follow. But generally speaking the below holds true.


Buddhism gives names to different beings based on things achieved.

Shakyamuni Siddhartha Gautama, was the Sammāsambuddha of our age. (The supreme Buddha) He was self enlightened and taught others to be enlightened.

There are numerous Buddhas, some who may never be known and others that are known. A Buddha is someone who has become fully awakened (enlightened) and has experienced Nirvana and is no longer reborn onto the cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth (samsara) and thus longer has any suffering. (ex: Kāśyapa, Nārada, Dīpankara)

There are also Bodhisattvas. In the Mahayana tradition, a Bodhisattva is one who has reached enlightenment and realized nirvana but has chosen to remain in the cycle of samsara in order to help bring all beings to enlightenment. (ex: Maitreya, Samantabhadra, Skanda, Vajrapani )

An Arhat "worthy one" is someone that has laid down their burdens and realized the goal of nirvana and achieved bodhicitta, think of it as a vow to reach enlightenment but not quite there yet. (ex: Menander)

There are also famous teachers, monks and patriarch who have lead many to enlightenment. (ex: Mahākāśyapa, Zhaozhou, Bankei, Wonhyo, Bodhidharma)

Of course, just as all sleeping people may open their eyes and awaking from their sleep, so can all beings awaken from their living slumber and be enlightened. So in truth, we are all just as worthy of distinction as Shakyamuni Buddha and just as essential as Bodhidharma, Menander or Zhaozhou. No one is special yet we are all special. That is the way of Buddhism.

I hope this helps.

2007-10-08 06:21:58 · answer #1 · answered by mehereintheeast 5 · 1 0

To put it simple, the Buddha found a way to attain 'distinction' by purifying the mind from cravings and misunderstandings. This then, he taught to others so they, too, can realize the same 'distinction,' namely the total cessation of any kind of suffering. In the course of this process of purification, it is also possible to practice certain meditations that give visions, some of which could be called prophecies.
There are many teachers now who are reputed to have these distinctions. Since there is usually no way to verify this for ordinary people and it thus leads to arguments among faithful disciples, interest in this is somewhat cautioned of in Buddhism - the important task is always to work on ones own mind. It is, however, very interesting to go and ask these monks questions and then take what makes sense to you, even if he was not the saint that followers believe he is.
The emphasis in Buddhism is more on spiritual friendship to encourage each other than in guru-worship.

2007-10-07 20:22:29 · answer #2 · answered by ? 2 · 1 1

Gautama Buddha was merely the first Enlightened teacher known or remembered. The number of sentient beings is infinite; all shall become Buddhas. There are some teachers writers and lamas who have achieved social note, by impressing people with their compassion or wit or bringing the Dharma to new lands or languages. There are monks now in Burma whose peaceful protests and their violent suppression has been much in the news.

Here are some resources for you:

2007-10-07 14:12:27 · answer #3 · answered by SC 5 · 1 1

Not really. And the Buddha himself was just a guy.

This might help:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gautama_Buddha

Buddhism is more a philosophy than a doctrinal religion.

2007-10-07 13:53:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0 1

Everybody is Buddha. If you special then u r Buddha.

2007-10-07 13:50:38 · answer #5 · answered by Near of DN 4 · 0 1

There are many Bodhisattvas and arhants(saints) and there are other buddhas,as well as esteemed teachers,monks and adherents

2007-10-07 13:52:21 · answer #6 · answered by James O 7 · 1 0

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