Do You Think The Buddha Ever Really Existed?

Buddhism and its core teachings stem from one thing: and that is The Buddha and his Awakening and Enlightenment. What these concepts are can be debated. But the legitimacy of Buddhism whether The Buddha did or didn't exist is what is the topic. Also what can be debated is what is the true aim of Buddhism? Both Philisophical and Religious aspects of Buddhism may be discussed and dissected, and including both is encouraged but not demanded.

References to other religious figures MAY be part of the discussion if it relates back to the original subject.

 

What matters to me is the usefulness of the teachings.

I would assume that after the death of the founder, stories about his life were greatly embellished.

 

Yes, and this has been the main point I have been trying to make about Jesus as well.

 

No.....actually I don't. Like Jesus I think he was a construct. These things read like stories mainly because they are stories.

 

Even though I am not a Buddist, I do think there was an original Buddah. As incomprehensible as this seems to a number of people, I believe Buddist teachings are derived from that first Buddha's Awakening and Enlightenment.

Of course I (nor anybody) knows for certain. However, I do not think Buddism began from some stories (fiction) that someone made up...and then didn't take credit for but gave to someone they called Buddah.

 

Once again, as in the 'did Jesus exist' thread, I'd have to say that there doesn't seem to be any evidence that is absolutely conclusive either way. But I don't claim a wide knowledge of Buddhism,

Obviously though, as with Jesus, something must have occurred to start a new religion.

 

My assumption is that it's Gautama that Chinacat had in mind when he posted this.

 

I'm talking about The Buddha to whom the religion was based around.

And what in the texts makes Buddhism legitimate?

To me, the goal is definitely Enlightenment when it comes to Buddhism. So the body has to be based on some notion of Enlightenment and how to reach it. And if it's legitimate, which I'm sure it is, I just wish that it beared more fruit. How many Buddhists actually attain Buddhahood?

 

Of course he existed, he was a very famous prince
Siddhartha Guatama

 

There is no self in Buddhism, thus no soul. That being said, there is a recognition of the individual, however as it is investigated it is found to be an aggregate of different things.

And there is no God separate from individual souls.

There is no reincarnation in Buddhism, there is rebirth, which is different.

But all this belongs in another thread.

So how can there be no Soul and also no God separate from individual Souls?

 

Actually, various historians debate his existence

 

Can I have a link? I can't find anything claiming otherwise

 

https://fordlili.wordpress.com/2013/02/27/siddhartha-gautama-fact-or-fiction/

 

Edit

 

First we'd have to be clear about is meant by the term 'soul'.

 

Some aspect of yourself that survives this incarnation and traverses the afterlife and shows up in another incarnation.

 

Every religion has a founder, and the founder of Buddhism is called Buddha. The accuracy of the biographical information we have about him is highly questionable, just because of the amount of time that has gone by.

 

OK. So if Buddhism talks about rebirth, I assume there must be some concept of something that gets reborn.

When you say an aspect of yourself, what do you mean by yourself?