Nalanda University reopens after hundreds of years!

[Aepsilons]

Haha yeah on Lantau island, just to the west of HK island.

I went there for a school trip once when I was really young. But it doesn't really come close to the scale of the Spring Temple Buddha in Henan.

Ive visited the Tian Tan Buddha many years back, as a cultural experience. Seems that there's a lot of Hong Kongers who are Buddhist , Taoist ?

I've always wanted to visit the Spring Temple Buddha in China, someday !

 

[Chinese-Dragon]

Ive visited the Tian Tan Buddha many years back, as a cultural experience. Seems that there's a lot of Hong Kongers who are Buddhist , Taoist ?

I've always wanted to visit the Spring Temple Buddha in China, someday !

Well my parents are Chinese Buddhists for one thing.

However, Chinese Buddhism is actually a big mix of a lot of things, especially things like Ancestor Worship, Confucianism and Taoism.

I think Japanese Buddhism is the same, it is mixed with a lot of the native traditions.

Buddha (the original Buddha) said that he was not a God or a creator, and should not be worshiped like one. However in Chinese Buddhism he is worshiped just like a God, so I don't know, lol.

 

[Aepsilons]

Well my parents are Chinese Buddhists for one thing.

However, Chinese Buddhism is actually a big mix of a lot of things, especially things like Ancestor Worship, Confucianism and Taoism.

I think Japanese Buddhism is the same, it is mixed with a lot of the native traditions.

Buddha (the original Buddha) said that he was not a God or a creator, and should not be worshiped like one. However in Chinese Buddhism he is worshiped just like a God, so I don't know, lol.

Ha Ha , yes, same in Japan. Its interesting because in Japan , the Buddhists combine the native Shinto religion with Buddhism. So its almost confusing especially talking to the older generation about superstitious things -- the "spirits" or we refer to them as Kami are to be respected , and then the Buddha is somewhat a deity for hearing prayers. The younger Japanese generation respect our elders' beliefs, but nowadays, its almost just a cultural thing.

My ancestors were Buddhists so I do respect this faith , out of respect of my ancestors. Tho I am not a Buddhist.

 

[Gibbs]

This Buddha is known as Ryozen Kannon in Japan. If I am correct, in Japanese Buddhism, Ryozen Kannon is the Buddha of Compassion.

This is an ancient rock carving of Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara in Buduruwagala in Sri Lanka.. So even in Theravada school they worshiped Bodhisattva's.. @Chinese-Dragon

Another sculpture of goddess tara from ancient Ceylon at the British museum

 

[Aepsilons]

This is an ancient rock carving of Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara in Buduruwagala in Sri Lanka.. So even in Theravada school they worshiped Bodhisattva's.. @Chinese-Dragon

Another sculpture from anciaent Ceylon at the British museum

In regards to the Hindu Theology...Isn't the Lord Buddha considered an Avatar of God ?

 

[Gibbs]

In regards to the Hindu Theology...Isn't the Lord Buddha considered an Avatar of God ?

Not sure mate.. Neither a Buddhist nor a Hindu.. But a great admirer of lord Buddha and his teachings

I think Hindu's believe Gautama Buddha is a reincarnation if Vishnu.. Correct me if im wrong

 

[Bang Galore]

Ha Ha , yes, same in Japan. Its interesting because in Japan , the Buddhists combine the native Shinto religion with Buddhism. So its almost confusing especially talking to the older generation about superstitious things -- the "spirits" or we refer to them as Kami are to be respected , and then the Buddha is somewhat a deity for hearing prayers. The younger Japanese generation respect our elders' beliefs, but nowadays, its almost just a cultural thing.

My ancestors were Buddhists so I do respect this faith , out of respect of my ancestors. Tho I am not a Buddhist.

Ya, that's something not easily understood by the West or by the followers of the Abrahamic religions. I remember hearing about a survey where about 70%-80% of those polled in Japan said that ther religion was Shinto and a similar number said the same about Buddhism. Exclusivity in religion is more an Abrahamic concept, not as much in the eastern religions.

 

[Aepsilons]

Ya, that's something not easily understood by the West or by the followers of the Abrahamic religions. I remember hearing about a survey where anout 70%-80% of those polled in Japan said that ther religion was Shinto and a similar number said the same about Buddhism. Exclusivity in religion is more an Abrahamic concept, not as much in the eastern religions.

OT: Its always funny because on every day life, Japanese are "scientific" in all life's problems. There's always a scientific explanation for something. But come exam day , you can see Japanese students visiting Temple to pray for good luck and divine intervention.

 

[Gibbs]

Ya, that's something not easily understood by the West or by the followers of the Abrahamic religions. I remember hearing about a survey where anout 70%-80% of those polled in Japan said that ther religion was Shinto and a similar number said the same about Buddhism. Exclusivity in religion is more an Abrahamic concept, not as much in the eastern religions.

It's not uncommon to see Hindu deities alongside Buddha statues temples and vise versa in Hindu temples in Sri Lanka

 

[Aepsilons]

It's not uncommon to see Hindu deities alongside Buddha statues temples and vise versa in Hindu temples in Sri Lanka

This is very interesting !

 

[Nova2]

Another University on the charts could be ''Vikramashila Vishwavidhayala (University)"

Here is a statue of her in Japan (I think in Japan they call her Kannon, @Nihonjin1051).

She's very popular (especially around the coastal regions of China) because she is said to hear people's prayers and help those who need it.

Her full name in Chinese is a direct translation of the Sanskrit name Avalokiteśvara. Guanyin = Guanshiyin = 觀世音 = Observing the sounds/cries of the world.

She was one of the buddhist dieties. You can see her(center in the pic) in this wall carving at Vikramashila university(founded in 8-9th century AD).

Her full name in Chinese is a direct translation of the Sanskrit name Avalokiteśvara.

I studied sanskrit when i was in 7th grade but still could understand the meaning of her name. Feel like shootin' myself

 

[Bang Galore]

This is an ancient rock carving of Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara in Buduruwagala in Sri Lanka.. So even in Theravada school they worshiped Bodhisattva's..

Not necessarily proof of worshipping , there was no bar to depicting the Buddha. Unlikely that in Theravada school, worshipping Buddha was an accepted practice, atleast not in the early period.

 

[Gibbs]

This is very interesting !

Actually in Sri Lanka there are two major pilgrimage sites that all four major religions of the world are represented and worshiped

Adam's Peak - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Adam's Peak.. Buddhists believe there is afoot print of Buddha imprinted on the top of this mountain, Hindu's believe it's Shiva's and Muslims and Christians believe it's Adams.. Thousands of people from all four faiths climb the mountain to worship every year

Kataragama - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kataragama (Sinhala: කතරගම(katharagama), Tamil: கதிர்காமம்(katirkāmam)) is a pilgrimage town sacred to Buddhist, Hindu,Muslim and indigenous Vedda people of Sri Lanka.

 

[Chinese-Dragon]

I studied sanskrit when i was in 7th grade but still could understand the meaning of her name. Feel like shootin' myself

It's easier in Chinese/Japanese because the meaning is contained in the characters themselves, Guanyin/Kannon for example is written as 觀音 in both Chinese and Japanese.

Which is the short form of 觀世音 = Observing the sounds/cries of the world = Avalokiteśvara.

 

[Indian_Devil]

@Chinese-Dragon As per my knowledge Gautam Buddha was against idol worship.....???