Buddhism and the TaoTeChing

allkosong SG

Hello all,

I was wondering why there are many similarities in concept between Buddhism and the TaoTeChing. Can anyone shed light on this? Thank you.

winsomeea SG

What is TaoTeChing?

SevenEleven SG

道德经

simpo_ SG

Hello all,

I was wondering why there are many similarities in concept between Buddhism and the TaoTeChing. Can anyone shed light on this? Thank you.

Because whoever wrote it, is enlightened.

winsomeea SG

道德经

Thanks.

winsomeea SG

WE can also be enlightened by good ..... from other religions.

allkosong SG

Because whoever wrote it, is enlightened.

The TaoTeChing was written (6th century BC) before Buddha's time. That means there were already enlightened human beings before the Buddha? Wow.

simpo_ SG

The TaoTeChing was written (6th century BC) before Buddha's time. That means there were already enlightened human beings before the Buddha? Wow.

Historically, Buddha is said to lived about 500 years before Christ. 6 BC is 6 year before Christ. So, Buddha should be earlier.

But all these do not matter. There are many Buddhas before Shakyamuni Buddhas.

sinweiy SG

the writer, Laozi to us is a solitary "buddha", Pratyekabuddha, slightly higher than arahat, and a bit lower than Bodhisattva, Buddha. in the past he use to encounter a Buddha , but did not achieved enlightenment in that life, so this life, he was able to achieve enlightenment solitary by himself, by seeing the nature.

sinweiy SG

think he meant, 600 years before Christ. century = 100 yrs.

yea, i also think Buddha was earlier, according to chinese buddhism, it's about 1000 years before Christ. about 3000+ years ago, from now. since India in the past do not like to record the date(or do not use date). their philosophy of time is already timeless. hence sutra starts with "Thus have I heard, at ONE time". there's no date. only One time. :)

winsomeea SG

Historically, Buddha is said to lived about 500 years before Christ. 6 BC is 6 year before Christ. So, Buddha should be earlier.

But all these do not matter. There are many Buddhas before Shakyamuni Buddhas.

I see, no wonder I was told someone into a buddha before Shakyamuni Buddha

Fcukpap SG

because we are asians....but to correct that statement.....they have to be distinguished....

the main difference is that one is with deities while buddhism is without...

An Eternal Now SG

I see, no wonder I was told someone into a buddha before Shakyamuni Buddha

Buddha is someone who is not only awakened, but is able to lead countless others to awakening. Such as Shakyamuni Buddha.

A pratyekabuddha is different. A pratyekabuddha is an awakened being who lives in an era without Buddhas. He is unable to lead masses of beings to awakening.

Lao Tzu is someone who doesn't want to teach, he just want to retreat into the forest and live alone. He was stopped halfway by an official who demanded him to write something down before he leaves town into the wilderness (forever). Lao Tzu then wrote his only written work - Tao Te Ching which consists of 81 verses.

Therefore, Lao Tzu is not a Buddha, at most a pratyekabuddha.

sinweiy SG

Therefore, Lao Tzu is not a Buddha, at most a pratyekabuddha.

i heard this Lao Tzu is pratyekabuddha saying from your late grand Master Shen Kai's talk.

Susanteo2011 SG

then what about the guy that wrote............Jiu Yang Zhen Jing.........???

Amitayus48 SG

以无极之体，行有为之善，是老子德行于太极。我乃学佛子，感恩老子无我之道