To know what Buddhism says about idol worship

[Sailani]

To know what Buddhism says about idol worship, we have to examine their sacred books. The Bible of Buddhism is called ‘Tri Pitaka’ composed of three books, written in Pali. These are the books of the Hinayana or Theravada sect of Buddhism, which claims to be more orthodox than the other sect, Mahayana. Mahayanist use Mahavastu and Lalitavastu as their sacred books written in Sanskrit. We will be dealing with the books of the Hinayana sect and the following are the collections in this division of Buddhism.

I) ‘Sutta Pitaka’ collection of sermons and discourses of Buddha. Supposed to be the most important of the Pitakas as a source book of Buddhist doctrine. It consists of five divisions known as ‘Nikayas’.

1. Deega Nikaya
2. Majjima Nikaya
3. Sanyukta Nikaya
4. Anguttara Nikaya and
5. Kuddaka Nikaya.

II) ‘Vinaya Pitaka’ composed of rules of conduct, particularly of monks.

III) ‘Abhidhamma Pitaka’ analysis of doctrine.

In any of these texts we do not find any evidence or statement approving or promoting of idol worship by Buddha. On the contrary, Buddha has opposed making of idols, when Ananda, a close relative, the most devoted attendant and a leading monk sought permission to make an idol of Buddha. The practice of idol worship in present day Buddhism is an innovation, defying the teachings of Buddha.

 

[ela_eluwa120]

So your site www.defending-islam.com wants to justify the destruction of Bamiyan statues. right?

ooka ithin watin godin yan nathuwa kelinma keewa nan iwarai neh...hikz...

you can also vote in this poll
Do you support destroying Bamiyan Buddha

 

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Majority of the world worships Idols

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[dilankandy]

Machanzla first of all i would like to say that its not idol worshiping its honoring an idol of lord buddha. its not a sin in buddhism. and we do not expect something in return.(OH you get the point!)

Actually Satutues are used to increase and develop the "Shradda" (Shraddawa kiyanne budurajanan wahanse kerehi thiyena pahadeema) specially when you look in to a properly designed buddha statue like samadhi statue you will understand what i meant.

And those Amisha poojas which described in Dhamma are also ways to increase the same thing. And there is a culture established parallel to buddhism. So in that We highly value the Buddhist statues and other idols which depicts scenes from Lord Buddhas life.

By da way please state "the Sutra" which lord buddha Forbid Ananda thero from building a Buddhist Statue

And i would like to point out to you that in christianity the idol worshiping has not been preached by jesus christ. Thats where pentecostals and roman catholics defer from each other though they read the same bible. Near death of jesus, the cross was the symbol used to terrify people as it was the gallows of romans.Early followers of Christ also did not use an idol of christ. they used symbols such as Shepperd fish & etc.. but never the cross. But when Cristianity grew all over the world the eventually began to use the Cross as the symbol. Thats the evolution of a Religion.

But my point here is that Honoring idols not affect the integrity of a religion if you know what i mean.

 

[Sailani]

So your site www.defending-islam.com wants to justify the destruction of Bamiyan statues. right?

ooka ithin watin godin yan nathuwa kelinma keewa nan iwarai neh...hikz...

you can also vote in this poll
Do you support destroying Bamiyan Buddha

ela_eluwa i think you are mistaken the thread. the topics To know what buddhism says about idol worshipping NOT To know what buddhism says about idol destruction. some times it happens to people, rather it is better to post somthing which is related to the thread it's only a suggestion. no offence

anyway thanx for the comments.

 

[dilankandy]

Mage prashneta uttare nane???

 

[Sailani]

Machanzla first of all i would like to say that its not idol worshiping its honoring an idol of lord buddha. its not a sin in buddhism. and we do not expect something in return.(OH you get the point!)

Actually Satutues are used to increase and develop the "Shradda" (Shraddawa kiyanne budurajanan wahanse kerehi thiyena pahadeema) specially when you look in to a properly designed buddha statue like samadhi statue you will understand what i meant.

And those Amisha poojas which described in Dhamma are also ways to increase the same thing. And there is a culture established parallel to buddhism. So in that We highly value the Buddhist statues and other idols which depicts scenes from Lord Buddhas life.

By da way please state "the Sutra" which lord buddha Forbid Ananda thero from building a Buddhist Statue

And i would like to point out to you that in christianity the idol worshiping has not been preached by jesus christ. Thats where pentecostals and roman catholics defer from each other though they read the same bible. Near death of jesus, the cross was the symbol used to terrify people as it was the gallows of romans.Early followers of Christ also did not use an idol of christ. they used symbols such as Shepperd fish & etc.. but never the cross. But when Cristianity grew all over the world the eventually began to use the Cross as the symbol. Thats the evolution of a Religion.

But my point here is that Honoring idols not affect the integrity of a religion if you know what i mean.

It’s honoring that’s what your definition, sake of argument I agree but I wonder how Buddhists can use statues where Buddhist scriptures don’t speak of it. Then it is clear that this is an INNOVATION. It is a practice which was not practiced by Buddha’s disciples themselves. NO REPRESENTATIONS of the Buddha were made for about 4 or 5 CENTURIES after Buddha’s death. It is sometimes said that prior to this time it was 'forbidden' to make statues or pictures of the Buddha, but this is unlikely and there is no evidence of such a prohibition. The FIRST BUDDHA STATUES were produced in about the 1ST OR 2ND CENTURY AD in BACTRIA (AFGHANISTAN AND NORTHERN PAKISTAN) perhaps as a result of GREEK INFLUENCE, and in MATHURA.

in short it's an INNOVATION !!

 

[dilankandy]

In any of these texts we do not find any evidence or statement approving or promoting of idol worship by Buddha. On the contrary, Buddha has opposed making of idols, when Ananda, a close relative, the most devoted attendant and a leading monk sought permission to make an idol of Buddha. The practice of idol worship in present day Buddhism is an innovation, defying the teachings of Buddha.

Me siduweema thiyena sutraye nama mokakda? thats my question

And speaking of innovation - lord buddha has preached A sutra called KALAMA. its about how to accept an idea. If you want to learn about so called innovation pls read that Sutra.

beside i cant understand the point you are trying to make by saying innovations. If you take the idea of making idols of lord buddha, according to the fact that its helping buddhists to increase their SHRADDA it was accepted by the maha theros of that time. and its not changing buddhism. and its not innovation.

and when you sppeak of idols why dont you point out Dagabas (pagodas) and sthupas. they are also used to improve ones shradda and they were also built within thw lifetime of our Lord Buddah. The thing you are saying about idols do accept to them too dont you think.

Buddhism is completely a practical religion (SANDITTIKO) my friend.

 

[ela_eluwa120]

ela_eluwa i think you are mistaken the thread. the topics To know what buddhism says about idol worshipping NOT To know what buddhism says about idol destruction. some times it happens to people, rather it is better to post somthing which is related to the thread it's only a suggestion. no offence

anyway thanx for the comments.

Ok. no offense. What I told was the main idea of the original article.