Sutras/Suttas and holy books, etc | Page 1 | Loving Kindness: A Buddhism Guild | Guild Forums

Shokai

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Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 6:06 pm

I was wondering if in Buddhism, they treat sutras as "holy books" like how the Bible and the Koran is treated. I realize of course they should be treated with respect but its not like its a major wrongdoing if you do something to it accidentaly.

I am asking this question because on the forums of gaia (such as Extended discussion) if you ask questions relating like this...sometimes one can get pretty shitty replies such as "Arent buddhists those people who say to avoid doing the fun sinful stuff so to avoid becoming a cockroach in a next life" and other ignorant replies such as we have laws, holy books, we think out "religion" is right and no one elses. This stuff can really..REALLY confuse beginners.

To me now...I can sort of have my mind nullify and correct these type of replies thanks to study.

Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 4:57 am

Well, I know there's a general respect for the Sutras - you're not supposed to put them on the floor, for instance - but I'm not sure if that's an official statement, or just something the person who told me about it does for all his books.

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Shokai

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Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 2:37 pm

Hmm..Well I can see why not to put them on the floor, like out of respect. But like I said, I read that Buddhists not consider their "holy books" as like "holy mystical books" but since like others would think that Buddhism would be another religion with its set of "laws" and I do not want people to think that because I dont think Buddhism is like that. After all...it does encourage free though *Pulls out his Pocket Kalama Sutra*

Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 5:50 pm

But it does have rules, ones that define the various schools as branches of Buddhism. It's just a matter of following them after you've tested them and realised they're correct and helpful.

Eightfold Path. Five precepts for laymen. Insanely long list of precepts for monks and nuns. All these are rules of the faith, after all, aren't they?

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Shokai

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Posted: Fri Jul 07, 2006 3:13 pm

Byaggha

But it does have rules, ones that define the various schools as branches of Buddhism. It's just a matter of following them after you've tested them and realised they're correct and helpful.

Eightfold Path. Five precepts for laymen. Insanely long list of precepts for monks and nuns. All these are rules of the faith, after all, aren't they?

AH! I missed something here. Yes you are right...it does have "rules" but one is adviced not to follow them blindly...only if they work for you. But I meant like other people think it has rules that one is supposed to follow no questions asked, etc.

Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2006 9:01 am

Never step over texts. Never place them on your left side. Try to not your back towards them.

Zen would probably allow you to do all those things. xd

Gavriel0

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Shokai

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Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2006 1:27 pm

Gavriel0

Never step over texts. Never place them on your left side. Try to not your back towards them.

Zen would probably allow you to do all those things. xd

OMG really xD hmm...but personally I think that yes they ought to be respected but I dont think revering them as if they were holy and had magical powers is going to have any effect....besides my room is small so I always turn my back towards several sutras I have.

Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 12:04 am

Shokai

Gavriel0

Never step over texts. Never place them on your left side. Try to not your back towards them.

Zen would probably allow you to do all those things. xd

OMG really xD hmm...but personally I think that yes they ought to be respected but I dont think revering them as if they were holy and had magical powers is going to have any effect....besides my room is small so I always turn my back towards several sutras I have.

In the Tibetan Tradtion, it's normal. Since Sutrayana represens the Buddha, you would not want to treat the Buddha that way. I too have a small room and must also do this.

But in some Mahayana Sutras, like the Sutra of the Medicine Bdha, eh says you can decorate canopies and banners and make offerings on a high table tot hat sutra and gathr merit, as it is just like having the Buddha there.

- Sherab

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Akanishi Makoto
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Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 12:59 am

The sutras are written on very fancy toilet paper.

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