Summary: In this episode of the Jay Forrest Show I answer the question about who the Buddha was. Buddha is not a name but a title meaning “awakened one.” The Buddha’s given name was Siddhartha, and his family name was Gautama. There are a number of misconceptions concerning the Buddha. The first thing people need to know is that the Buddha was just a human being like me and you. Everyone has within themselves the potentiality of becoming a Buddha, if they so will it and endeavour. The second thing people need to know is that Buddhists do not worship the Buddha; rather we honor and respect him for his great achievement. The third thing people need to know is that the Buddha is not a Savior. He was a great teacher who has given us the teachings that lead to enlightenment. He was and is a finger pointing at the moon, he is not the moon. I then give you a very brief sketch of the life of the man called the Buddha. I also touches on the evidence that Siddhartha may have studied at the great university at Taxila. Which leads naturally to the question of whether or not the Buddha was influenced by his culture. I share four core elements of the Dharma that cannot be derived from the Indian culture of his time. I also answers the question of what if Siddhartha never lived? I end the talk by explaining that the person of the Buddha was important for two main reasons. First, the Buddha is important because he gives us an example of an enlightened being. And second, the Buddha is important in that he is an Archetype. An archetype is a universally understood symbol, a prototype upon which others are copied, patterned, or emulated. Archetypes are often used in myths and storytelling across different cultures. For us Buddhists the Buddha is our archetype, for the Buddha serves as a model of an enlightened person, a universal symbol of human potential. Research Links Gautama Buddha From Wikipedia What Is a Buddha – Who Was the Buddha? Voicemail Feedback Line Your feedback is important, please call 505-750-3121 and leave a voice message to be played on the show. Music Credits Gaya by Bodhicitta Group Podcast Survey You can help me better serve you and let me know a little more about you. Please fill out the survey over at the Blubrry Network, the link is: http://www.blubrry.com/jayforrestshow/survey/ Jay Forrest Show Resources My Blog - Read the latest from my personal Blog Beliefs - What are the basic beliefs of Buddhism. About - Who is Jay Forrest? Contact - Contact information including email and phone number. Bookstore - A list of some of the best Buddhist books. Shop - Buy a T-Shirt or Mug and show your support. Privacy Policy - Read our Privacy Policy Subscribe to the Podcast Make sure you never miss an episode of the Jay Forrest Show by subscribing to the podcast. For complete instructions click here.
