Do You Think The Buddha Ever Really Existed?

Discussion in 'Buddhism' started by ChinaCatSunflower02, Nov 17, 2015.

  1. ChinaCatSunflower02

    ChinaCatSunflower02 Senior Member

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    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.
     
  2. Karen_J

    Karen_J Visitor

    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.
     
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  3. ChinaCatSunflower02

    ChinaCatSunflower02 Senior Member

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

    Tyrsonswood Senior Moment Lifetime Supporter

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    [​IMG]
     
  5. Ringstar

    Ringstar Novice Warlock

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

    Lynnbrown Firecracker

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    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.
     
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  7. BlackBillBlake

    BlackBillBlake resigned HipForums Supporter

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    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.
     
  8. MeAgain

    MeAgain Dazed & Confused Lifetime Supporter Super Moderator

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    Buddha is a title, not the name of a man, it means awakened one.

    I have never found any solid evidence for Siddhartha Gautama's existence anymore than the previous 28 "official" Buddhas before him or the innumerable other Buddhas that are said to have existed.

    The legitimacy of Buddhism relies not on the existence of Siddhartha Gautama, but on the body of work that makes up Buddhism, both the Canonical and non Canonical texts.
     
  9. BlackBillBlake

    BlackBillBlake resigned HipForums Supporter

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    My assumption is that it's Gautama that Chinacat had in mind when he posted this.
     
  10. ChinaCatSunflower02

    ChinaCatSunflower02 Senior Member

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    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?
     
  11. Sleeping Caterpillar

    Sleeping Caterpillar Members

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    Of course he existed, he was a very famous prince
    Siddhartha Guatama
     
  12. ChinaCatSunflower02

    ChinaCatSunflower02 Senior Member

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    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?
     
  13. ChinaCatSunflower02

    ChinaCatSunflower02 Senior Member

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    Actually, various historians debate his existence
     
  14. Sleeping Caterpillar

    Sleeping Caterpillar Members

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    Can I have a link? I can't find anything claiming otherwise
     
  15. ChinaCatSunflower02

    ChinaCatSunflower02 Senior Member

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  16. ChinaCatSunflower02

    ChinaCatSunflower02 Senior Member

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    Edit
     
  17. BlackBillBlake

    BlackBillBlake resigned HipForums Supporter

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    First we'd have to be clear about is meant by the term 'soul'.
     
  18. ChinaCatSunflower02

    ChinaCatSunflower02 Senior Member

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

    Karen_J Visitor

    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.
     
  20. BlackBillBlake

    BlackBillBlake resigned HipForums Supporter

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    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?
     

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