Originally posted by annoy-you-must:
I'm sure most people here are familiar with the Buddha's prophecy
on how the Dharma is going to last for only 5000 years in this
world, and how nearing the end of the 5000 years, wars will be
rampant (even a blade of grass can be a weapon), lifespan will be
shortern (10 years), and how at this point of time, Maitreya Buddha
will take his place and spread the Dharma.
ur information don't seem to be correct.
"The era when the Buddha dwelled
in the world was called the Orthodox Dharma Age. At that time the
Buddha taught the Dharma, and there were genuine Arhats and great
Bodhisattvas; the sages were dwelling in the world. The Orthodox
Dharma Age lasted for one thousand years. The Dharma-Image Age
followed--after the Buddha entered nirvana. During this period,
people who cultivated the Way were few; those who were attached to
external appearances were many. People stressed the creation of
Buddha-images and many were made, but genuine cultivators were
few.
http://online.sfsu.edu/~rone/Buddhism/BuddhistDict/BDD.html
Maitreya Buddha won't come down so early. it's abt 5.67billion from
now, if we calculate the lifespan of Tusita heaven.
My question: how is it that any prophecy is possible in
Buddhism?Our futures are uncertain, shaped by what we've done in
the present and in the past. So how can anyone, even the Buddha,
predict what'll happen in the future? Such prophecy will only imply
that the future of this world is already fixed, that no amount of
good we do can change it (which defys of course, the law of
Karma).
Buddha is omniscience. i think what u refer to is more for
personal account, that u can still make effort to change ur
destiny. but what the Buddha 'rough out' is the Overall direction
of humanity which still obey the law of impermenance.
/\
