Questions tagged [history]
For questions about Buddhism in the past, and how it has developed since then.
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1answer
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What were the source documents of the PTS Sutta Pitaka?
The Pali Text Society published editions of the Pali Tipitaka, starting in about 1890.
I assume it was copied (transcribed) from one or more written sources, not from memory, is that so?
From what ...
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0answers
42 views
Should the Pali Tipitaka be returned to Sri Lanka? [on hold]
The Pali Tipitaka is about to be declared "World Heritage".
The Pali Tipitaka is presently kept at the British Museum however.
The background info here -> https://jambudipa.quora.com
Does keeping ...
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2answers
125 views
Why did Marco Polo say the Buddhist religion originated in Sielan? [closed]
Read page 295 here.
Also refer to the editorial note on p.289 “this is the well known island of Ceylon, both direction and distance are extremely correct”.
A Summary.
Until 1890 the world knew ...
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2answers
115 views
Did Ledi Sayadaw teach that Vipassanā should be practised by observing bodily sensations with equanimity?
A very short summary of the Vipassanā technique taught by S.N. Goenka would be: "observe your bodily sensations with equanimity". The role of physical bodily sensations is the key aspect of the ...
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1answer
112 views
Why did Buddhism nearly become extinct in Sri Lanka?
I read when the British came to Sri Lanka (Ceylon) during the colonial era, Buddhism was virtually extinct in Sri Lanka and has degenerated into very low forms of superstition. However, because some ...
2
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2answers
144 views
Why are Mahayana texts in Sanskrit?
Based on the quote below, it seemed that the Buddha did not allow his teachings to be translated to the royal or priestly language of Sanskrit, that was the liturgical language of Brahmanism, the ...
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2answers
191 views
Ancient texts on Meditation Techniques?
I have read a decent amount on modern meditative practices, but I am curious to read the way in which ancient monks described their techniques.
This is not suggesting that modern meditative practices ...
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3answers
112 views
Which (semi)secret societies influence Buddhism? [closed]
What are the names of the (semi)secret societies — any and/or all of them — that have influenced, are influencing (and, via common consent, may influence in the future) Buddhism?
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1answer
37 views
Where is this budha from and would love to know any history of maker?
Any information I would be grateful for. I have no idea be am very curious about this any a few other items I purchased recently.
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6answers
144 views
Why are all the Buddhas born in Indian subcontinent only?
From this list of previous Buddhas it looks like all were Indians.( I mean from their names).
Ancient Greece or Egypt were also developed enough to have understood the Dhamma.
We can consider ...
0
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1answer
51 views
As Buddhists, what do you make out of the tragedy of Tibet? [closed]
I finished watching two movies on the life of H.H the Dalai Lama (Kundun and Seven years in Tibet) which also highlight the tragedy of Tibet. Historically Tibet can be said as the only country which ...
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4answers
214 views
How do I refute the claim that the Buddha was actually preaching Vedanta?
Some people are obsessed with making a great personality and revolutionary like the Buddha a follower of their own faith by making baseless, historically inaccurate and factually incorrect claims. One ...
2
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2answers
116 views
Was Gautama Buddha's wife Yesodhara in any way instrumental in Him becoming a Buddha?
Considering the story we know about the life of Buddha as Siddhartha and also considering that Yesodhara was Buddha's partner in His many previous lives, can we say that Yesodhara was somehow ...
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3answers
166 views
Buddhism and Evolution
I heard an atheist ask this question from a christian and found myself lost in this question as well.
Plainly and simply the question is this,
How does your religion fit into earth's history?
His ...
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1answer
146 views
What happens to one in a locked in syndrome?
Most theologies give no perspective on persons who are in "locked-in syndrome", minimal conscious states and persistent vegetative syndrome. Due to my own experiences I've pondered and explored but i ...
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6answers
376 views
What are Buddhist perspectives on psychedelic drugs?
I have head psychedelic drugs described as a gateway that can lead people to Buddhism, and to very powerful meditation practice. I have also heard the drugs were frowned upon by ancient Buddhist ...
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2answers
96 views
Why do we still don't know exact birth & date year of the Buddha?
I just want to know:
1)Why do we still don't know exact birth & date year of the Buddha?
2)What are the factors that is limiting in knowing Buddha's birth & death year?
3)Why many people/...
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3answers
297 views
How does Buddhism see Required Military Service?
I live in the United States, where although unlikely, a draft could happen. There are also many other countries that require military service in some capacity.
I know Buddhism generally opposes ...
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2answers
138 views
Understanding beginningless
I often see the word beginning-less in Buddhist readings and on this site but how do I try to understand this concept being the ignorant human being I am?
Is it just a metaphorical way to describe a ...
2
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1answer
73 views
What are the arguments behind the relatively late dating of Khuddaka Nikaya and Abhidhamma Pitaka?
It is generally told that the Khuddaka Nikaya is the latest among the five Nikayas of the Sutta Pitaka. Similary, the Abhidhamma Pitaka is also considered as the latest composition among the three ...
0
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1answer
55 views
Where can I find sources for historical data on Buddhist populations in various regions around the world?
I need some sources regarding the changes in the size of Buddhist populations since the death of Gautama Buddha, e.g. the number of Buddhists in what is modern day India from 410 BC until now, or just ...
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2answers
101 views
What is the relationship between dana and tax?
Is dana (or has it ever been) considered taxable in some countries?
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2answers
2k views
Should Buddhists in India celebrate diwali (New moon of November)?
On the occasion of diwali I've to ask, should Indian Buddhists celebrate diwali?
Because recently I've read dark history behind diwali:
Tthat
Tathagata Gautama Buddha had entrusted the team with the ...
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2answers
93 views
How did Buddhism and Hinduism differ in their approaches to sex work
I'm writing a paper on religion and the different attitudes and approaches to prostitution and I can't quite find anything that indicates the major differences in how Buddhism and Hinduism regards sex ...
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3answers
204 views
What are Gandhari Charm and Manika Charm told by Buddha?
In the Kevatta Sutta, Buddha is explaining to Kevatta why he doesn't use miraculous powers for his teaching. And while telling about psychic power he tells:
Then the person without faith, ...
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1answer
113 views
When were Buddhist suttas written?
When were Buddhist suttas written?
Does anybody know any source with a compiled list of suttas and their approximate date of writing?
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2answers
75 views
The Story of Buddha
Recently I am fascinated by the accounts of Gautama Buddha and of Buddhism, after having read The Story of Buddha within the book The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson. I am led to want ...
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2answers
56 views
Buddhism in Kerala, India?
I want to know if Buddhism was practised in Kerala, India around 500CE. When did it lose popularity and why?
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1answer
43 views
Any reconstructions of earliest mentioned classification of canon?
Monks, there is the case where some worthless men study the Dhamma:
dialogues, narratives of mixed prose and verse, explanations, verses,
spontaneous exclamations, quotations, birth stories, ...
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6answers
5k views
Is it true that Lord Buddha was born in Sri Lanka?
I've heard there's a rumor saying that lord Buddha was born in Sri Lanka and ancient "Dambadiwa" is not India but Sri Lanka. There's a "sal" tree in Sri Lanka which matches to the exact tree that we ...
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1answer
665 views
Which is a good book to read about history of Buddhism?
I'd like to read about the history of Buddhism. Which book or books would you recommend?
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2answers
186 views
What are timeframe were pali canons, included commentaries, done, especially Mahavihara-Theravada?
My conclusion from tipitaka and commentaries:
Most of Tipitaka canons and commentaries, except Kathāvatthu the forth of abhidhamma, began before 1st saṅgāyanā, but catagorize at 1st saṅgāyanā (see: ...
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2answers
109 views
In what timeframe was Jataka tales added to Kuddaka Nikaya?
I am trying to see whether the presence of certain characters and stories in the Jataka tales can be taken as a proof for them (stories and characters) being known in that form in the time of the ...
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4answers
293 views
How to memorize suttas?
I was watching a video about the oral tradition in relation to how the suttas was first communicated and conveyed to monastics and lay people.
I was wondering what techniques buddhist monastics and ...
5
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2answers
274 views
What was the reason behind the fall of Buddhism in India? [duplicate]
Buddhism was originated from India.It spread all accross the world, many countries are called as Buddhist countries.
Lord Buddha was the most scientific, serene, logical and kind person of the world,...
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0answers
173 views
Did the Buddha really have snails on his head? [duplicate]
For a long time I was told that when the Buddha touched the ground and became enlightened that his hair went up and formed a ball on his head and that that is what we see on the statues. But recently ...
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1answer
123 views
Historical writings on the importance and efficacy of burning joss paper?
I was walking through a Taipei grocery/department store a few years ago and saw shelves with packs of "paper money" or joss paper to be used for burning. For the bank-note varieties were three choices;...
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7answers
628 views
Which suttas in the Pali canon are relatively early or late?
Do people (monks and/or scholars) have a sense of how old (or relatively old) each sutta is in the Pali canon: i.e. which suttas are considered "earlier" or "later"?
If not for individual suttas, how ...
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6answers
393 views
Downfall of the Buddhist religion?
I feel that Buddhism is not what it used to be (the original teachings of Lord Buddha). It has got corrupted and what is left mostly relates terminology and worldly-matter and excuses. For-example: ...
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3answers
416 views
Who is the adi buddha?
In many web sites they are saying that there is another buddha and he is the incarnation of lord vishnu and he existed before lord buddha existed.My Question
Were there two buddhas ?
Was he an ...
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1answer
65 views
Is there any historical evidence or sayings that Buddha went to America and Africa continent for some discourses or teachings
Is there any historical evidence or sayings that Buddha went to America and Africa continent for some discourses or teachings? In their writings, local languages or any painting, drawing?
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3answers
178 views
How to survive Buddhism ? Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha
I'm observing around me, family and in society. I want to know while Dr. B.R Ambedkar gave the way to peace to Dalit(Backward people) . I could see still my family into ritual other than Buddhism. And ...
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5answers
285 views
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2answers
109 views
Who was the buddhist figure who forbade writing what he said, and whose disciples instead wore paper robes?
There's an enlightened buddhist figure I remember reading about a year or two ago, but I am failing completely to search him up. I would like to find his name and story again, could you help me ...
4
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1answer
102 views
History of refuge in the 3 jewels
When was taking refuge in the 3 jewels of Buddha, Dharma & Sangha started? Was it started by the Buddha in his time or was it after him? When I mean taking refuge, I mean for a lay Buddhist and ...
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3answers
131 views
Has there ever been a systematic persecution of Buddhist heretics?
I was reading about the Cathars, and was really struck by the scale of persecution by Christians of Christian heretics.
Obviously there are reasons for that besides not meditating well enough. But in ...
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3answers
2k views
Was Buddhism a rebellion against the Aryans?
I read and learned many areas in Buddhism, for example the Seven Arya Dhana (Saptharyadhana - The Sevenfold Noble Wealth), the Four Noble Truths (Chathurarya Sathya) and the Eightfold Path (arya ...
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2answers
180 views
In which language or languages were most of the sutras compiled?
In general, which language or languages were the sutras compiled and was this the same language tha Shakyamuni spoke?
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2answers
105 views
Earliest occurrences of meditation?
What are the earliest records of people meditating?
The Wiki page for History of meditation mentions "prehistory" but provides no details:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_meditation
The ...
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2answers
133 views
Did Japanese Buddhists once use sky burial?
In the Chinese Wikipedia article on sky burial, there's a section saying that sky burial is illegal in Japan:
棄屍嫌疑
在某些地方，天葬的行為，可能觸犯遺棄屍體的罪行。
日本
刑法第190條（死体損壊罪）
Google translation:
...
