L
Lunitik
Guest
Have you heard of him?
What is your take on him?
What is your take on him?
Vajradhara
One of Many
Namaste,
i hadn't heard of him till you linked him.
after reading his website, i don't care for him in the least bit.
it is meretricious the idea that meditating in the proximity of an enlightened being (leaving aside the questions around that!!) can help your meditation. IF that were so then it would stand to reason that all the monks and nuns which meditated with the Buddha were effected in the same manner... and all the rest... yet the Suttas clearly indicate that was not the case. some beings actually left the Sangha and went back to other schools of practice and the rest of it.
i think it smacks of cultism and creates an strange dependency relationship whereby one comes to believe that only by proximity to the guru is one's own meditation practice effective or even, dare i say, worthwhile.
the form of unity consciousness he advocates is nothing new and, indeed, like most demagogues the terms he uses are arbitrary and ill defined.
...and i have a fundamental issue with a being self-styling themselves as "maitreya"... eh...i suppose i'm biased in that way and i'm ok with that
metta,
~v
i hadn't heard of him till you linked him.
after reading his website, i don't care for him in the least bit.
it is meretricious the idea that meditating in the proximity of an enlightened being (leaving aside the questions around that!!) can help your meditation. IF that were so then it would stand to reason that all the monks and nuns which meditated with the Buddha were effected in the same manner... and all the rest... yet the Suttas clearly indicate that was not the case. some beings actually left the Sangha and went back to other schools of practice and the rest of it.
i think it smacks of cultism and creates an strange dependency relationship whereby one comes to believe that only by proximity to the guru is one's own meditation practice effective or even, dare i say, worthwhile.
the form of unity consciousness he advocates is nothing new and, indeed, like most demagogues the terms he uses are arbitrary and ill defined.
...and i have a fundamental issue with a being self-styling themselves as "maitreya"... eh...i suppose i'm biased in that way and i'm ok with that
metta,
~v
L
Lunitik
Guest
Of course, not everyone is destined to become enlightened in their current life, it is not possible that everyone Maitreya Ishwara meets will become enlightened. There are many people that say there is a vast amount of energy around him however, and this seems consistent with other Buddha's.
He actually speaks about the removal of dependence on the guru/student relationship. He states that meditation can assist all the way along the path, but the assistance of an enlightened one is necessary at a certain point to assist with the last steps. He says that meditation helps transform the nervous system and readies it for enlightenment, but meditating with an enlightened one speeds this up.
I do not see how his current practices can be declared cultism at all, his current actions are very normal for enlightened masters that engage in assisting others. Of course, many enlightened ones tend to live recluse lives after awakening also...
I disagree that his terms are ill-defined, in his book they are quite well defined and clarified. He also doesn't say he self-styled himself as Maitreya, he says that after God-realization, he was given this name.
If you are aware of Buddhsm, you will know that the prophecies say Maitreya is to come 2500 years after Buddha's death. He doesn't actually directly claim to be the Maitreya of Buddhism, he merely states that God has given him this name - it is also important to note that his explanation of God is entirely consistent with Dharmakaya. I think he seems legit, and I am a fan of what he teaches although he often states we should not accept anything without experience to back it up.
I appreciate him most simply because of how well he clarifies and summarizes all that I've learned elsewhere, whether he is the Maitreya of Buddhism is utterly irrelevant for me.
Paladin
Purchased Bewilderment
It seems you are pretty well sold on this fellow, so I wonder to myself; why ask for other opinions?
Vajradhara
One of Many
without any explication of the idea "energy" it's really hard for me to say anything about it one way or the other though i'm happy to grant that other Buddhas have said energy.
i will, naturally, be of the view that he is not a Buddha.
though one need not be a Buddha to be Awake and Liberated and, indeed, no Buddhas need to arise in a world system for a being to Awake and attain their own Liberation.
perhaps that is explained more in depth in his book which you have, apparently, read and i, clearly, have not.
the dependency upon the proximity to the guru is what is concerning in my view.
i've not read his book so you have me at a disadvantage.
you will, of course, forgive me if i find such pronouncements simply a more grandiose way of saying he named himself such. i am, of course, aware of the Dharma traditions (even commons amongst some of the non-Dharma traditions) of being renamed within the Dharma context.
i am. in short, the Buddha made further modifications so that the length of time would remain at 5,000 years, give or take. further not a single condition which prefigures the Maitreya is manifest in our world system.
i'm always somewhat curious why a creator deity would bequeath a Buddhist name upon meeting people. this being is by no means the only one to claim to have been named in such a manner by a creator deity.
metta,
~v
L
Lunitik
Guest
Mostly to create dialog about him...
L
Lunitik
Guest
What do you think separates a Buddha from everyone else? Was Buddha really that different from anyone else before he began his spiritual pursuit?
It is somewhat strange that someone that has studied Buddhism would make exact barriers in this area. All Buddhists are instructed to not be a Buddhist, but rather a Buddha... your statement seems to disagree with this?
It isn't a dependency, it is an assistance.
You find it impossible to believe that Dharmakaya could or would communicate with advanced beings?
I would be interested in seeing further details on this topic.
It isn't really a Buddhist name, it simply means "friend".
L
Lunitik
Guest
One thing I do have a problem with regarding Maitreya Ishwara, however, is that he proclaims that merely reading his writings, we are probably blessed. This smells a lot like ego fodder, so certainly I remain cautious.
That said, I still very much appreciate his writings and the clarifications he has provided, we must all walk our own paths though, attaching to any particular path always removes us from our own. Whenever attachment arises it is not a good thing, this is true even of Buddha - a huge problem I have with modern Buddhism.
Maitreya at least proclaims that the focus should be on God - or Dharmakaya - rather than any individual.
That said, I still very much appreciate his writings and the clarifications he has provided, we must all walk our own paths though, attaching to any particular path always removes us from our own. Whenever attachment arises it is not a good thing, this is true even of Buddha - a huge problem I have with modern Buddhism.
Maitreya at least proclaims that the focus should be on God - or Dharmakaya - rather than any individual.
Paladin
Purchased Bewilderment
And what would that do for you?
Ciel
in essence
Lunitik,
I would say Maitreya is completely genuine as one who has surrendered to Source.
I attended a satsang with him ten years ago and have watched his development since.
There are many facets of the one diamond.
Enlightenment is not the same for all.
As mentioned before always question the source of intelligence.
Above all is there love.......
- c -
I would say Maitreya is completely genuine as one who has surrendered to Source.
I attended a satsang with him ten years ago and have watched his development since.
There are many facets of the one diamond.
Enlightenment is not the same for all.
As mentioned before always question the source of intelligence.
Above all is there love.......
- c -
L
Lunitik
Guest
Ensure I am not approaching him with a bias, although those biases of others must also not be added to my own.
L
Lunitik
Guest
Thank you for this, I would like to attend satsang with him myself, but he is getting up there in age and I am unable to at present. Perhaps I will be shown a way, impossible is not a useful word
Vajradhara
One of Many
i think that the Suttas do a fairly good job in explaining what a Buddha is and how Buddhas and Awakened and Liberated beings are not the same. a Buddha is a being that Turns the Wheel of Dharma in a world system.
there is much about the Buddha Shakyamuni that is the same and much that is quite a bit different.
you won't find such sentiment echoed in the Suttas. as for the rest, some Buddhist schools place emphasis on different aspects of the teachings. 84,000 Dharma doors don't ya know.
yes. advanced, though find such terms to be entirely inappropriate for such a discussion, or otherwise. the Dharmakaya is not a sentient being. IF you are suggesting some form of non-verbal communication then i would agree, such does happen.
which bit? the rules added to the Vinya to extend the time of the True Dharma before the time of the Semblance Dharma and Dharma ending age or the bit about no conditions on our world system being proper for Maitreya to arise?
it means "loving-kindness" the root of which is derived from the idea of "friend", it connotes the benevolence of a friend towards another friend. in any case, whilst it may not be particularly Buddhist, per se, it is a Sanskrit name which is applied to a unique being represented within the Tipitaka and i simply find it extraordinarily curious.
were a more cynical sort i would probably conclude that it's hardly more than a marketing or branding strategy given that everything Oriental and "buddhistyogazendu" makes Westerner's swoon in puddles of imported mystical ecstasy.
metta,
~v
Paladin
Purchased Bewilderment
Might I suggest then a brief study of what a "confirmation bias" is.
L
Lunitik
Guest
Anything that comes to mind to share, or any links with much discussion on the topic.
L
Lunitik
Guest
Certainly.
This is not what this thread is about, however, I am absorbing those biases of others, but explaining any which do not appear valid to me. I am not looking for particular answers, just a general take.
Vajradhara
One of Many
hmm... the whole Maitreya discussion is found in only one Sutra and therein it lists some pretty specific things which presage the next Buddha's arising. one of the conditions, for instance, is that the Buddhadharma will have disappeared from the world system. given that the Buddhadharma is still present in this world system ipso facto the Buddha Maitreya has not arisen in our world system.
there are a whole host of would-be Maitreya Buddhas out there however even a cursory examination of the so-called prophecy puts paid to their claims.
this fellow may not be making that claim however using the name is...questionable...to me as the implications are abundantly clear.
i thought that it would be good to have the entire prophecy of Maitreya posted for reference. to wit:
('Maitreyavyakarana')
Sariputra, the great general of the doctrine, most wise and resplendent, from compassion for the world asked the Lord: 'Some time ago you have spoken to us of the future Buddha, who will lead the world at a future period, and who will bear the name of Maitreya. I would now wish to hear more about his powers and miraculous gifts. Tell me, O best of men, about them !'
The Lord replied: 'At that time, the ocean 'will lose much of its water, and there will be much less of it than now. In consequence a world-ruler will have no difficulties in passing across it. India, this island of Jambu, will be quite flat everywhere, it will measure ten thousand leagues, and all men will have the privilege of living on it. It will have innumerable inhabitants, who will commit no crimes or evil deeds, but will take pleasure in doing good. The soil will then be free from thorns, even, and covered with a fresh green growth of grass; when one jumps on it, it gives way, and becomes soft like the leaves of the cotton tree. It has a delicious scent, and tasty rice grows on it, without any work. Rich silken, and other, fabrics of various colours shoot forth from the trees. The trees will bear leaves, flowers, and fruits simultaneously; they are as high as the voice can reach and they last for eight myriads of years. Human beings are then without any blemishes, moral offences are unknown among them, and they are full of zest and joy. Their bodies are very large and their skin has a fine hue. Their strength is quite extraordinary. Three kinds of illness only are known-people must relieve their bowels, they must eat, they must get old. Only when five hundred years old do the women marry.
'The city of Ketumati will at that time be the capital. In it will reside the world-ruler, Shankha by name, who will rule over the earth up to the confines of the ocean; and he will make the Dharma prevail. He will be a great hero, raised to his station by the force of hundreds of meritorious deeds. His spiritual adviser will be a Brahmin, Subrahinana by name, a very learned man, well versed in the four Vedas, and steeped in all the lore of the Brahamins. And that Brahman will have a wife, called Brahmavati, beautiful, attractive, handsome, and renowned.
'Maitreya, the best of men, will then leave the Tushita heavens, and go for his last rebirth into the womb of that woman. For ten whole months she will carry about his radiant body. Then she will go to a grove full of beautiful flowers, and there, neither seated nor lying down, but standing up, holding on to the branch of a tree, she will give birth to Maitreya. He, supreme among men, will emerge from her right side, as the sun shines forth when it has prevailed over a bank of clouds. No more polluted by the impurities of the womb than a lotus by drops of water, he will fill this entire Triple world with his splendour. As soon as he is born he will walk seven steps forward, and where he puts down his feet a jewel or a lotus will spring up. He will raise his eyes to the ten directions, and ill speak these words: "This is my last birth. There will be no rebirth after this one. Never will I come back here, but, all pure, I shall win Nirvana!"
'And when his father sees that his son has the thirty-two marks of a superman, and considers their implications in the light of the holy mantras, he will be filled with joy, for he will know that, as the mantras show, two ways are open to his son: he will either be a universal monarch, or a supreme Buddha. But as Maitreya grows up, the Dharma will increasingly take possession of him, and he will reflect that all that lives is bound to suffer. He will have a heavenly voice which reaches far; his skin will have a golden hue, a great splendour will radiate from his body, his chest will be broad, his limbs well developed, and his eyes will be like lotus petals. His body is eighty cubits high, and twenty cubits broad. He will have a retinue of 84,000 persons, whom he will instruct in the mantras. With this retinue he will one day go forth into the homeless life. A Dragon tree will then be the tree under which he will win enlightenment; its branches rise up to fifty leagues, and its foliage spreads far and wide over six Kos. Underneath it Maitreya, the best of men, will attain enlightenment- there can be no doubt on that. And he will win his enlightenment the very same day that he has gone forth into the homeless life.
'And then, a supreme sage, he will with a perfect voice preach the true Dharma, which is auspicious and removes all suffering, i.e. the fact of suffering, the origination of suffering, the transcending of suffering, and the Noble Eightfold path which brings security and leads to Nirvana. He will explain the 4 Noble Truths, because he has seen that generation, in faith, ready for them, and those who have listened to his Dharma will thereupon make progress in the religion. They will be assembled in a park full of beautiful flowers, and his assembly will extend over a hundred leagues. Under Maitreya's guidance, hundreds of thousands of living beings shall enter upon a religious life.
'And thereupon Maitreya, the compassionate teacher, surveys those who have gathered around him, and speaks to them as follows: "Shakyamuni has seen all of you, he, the best of sages, the saviour, the world's true protector, the repository of the true Dharma. It was he who has set you on the path to deliverance, but before you could finally win it you have had to wait for my teaching. It is because you have worshipped Shakyamuni with parasols, banners, flags, perfumes, garlands, and unguents that you have arrived here to hear my teaching. It is because you have offered to the shrines of Shakyamuni unguents of sandalwood, or powdered saffron, that you have -arrived here to hear my teaching. It is because you have always gone for refuge to the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha, that you have arrived here to hear my teaching. It is because, in Shakyamuni's dispensation, you have undertaken to observe the moral precepts, and have actually done so, that you have arrived here to hear my teaching. It is because you have given gifts to the monks-robes, drink, food, and many kinds of medicines-that you have arrived here to hear my teaching. It is because you have always observed the holy days that you have arrived here to hear my teaching.". . .
'For 60,000 years Maitreya, the best of men, will preach the true Dharma, which is compassionate towards all living beings. And when he has disciplined in his true Dharma hundreds and hundreds of millions of living beings, then that leader will at last enter Nirvana. And after the great sage has entered Nirvana, his true Dharma still endures for another ten thousand years.
'Raise therefore your thoughts in faith to Shakyamuni, the Conqueror! For then you shall see Maitreya, the perfect Buddha, the best of men! Whose soul could be so dark that it would not be lit up with a serene faith when he hears these wonderful things, so potent of future good! Those therefore who long for spiritual greatness, let then, show respect to the true Dharma, let them be mindful of the religion of the Buddhas!'
Translation by Edward Conze, Buddhist Scriptures (Penguin Books, 1959), pp. 238-42
metta,
~v
Paladin
Purchased Bewilderment
Yes it is quite clear you aren't looking for any answers. But that isn't why I suggested what I did. You already have all the answers, but I wonder if you really value the questions?
L
Lunitik
Guest
I see nothing in this commentary that says the Dharma will be forgotten? In fact, he is discussing those that still uphold it following the Maitreya...
L
Lunitik
Guest
Why would I value the questions, especially when the answer is already known?
I am puzzled as to where you're going here...