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Published on Jan 19, 2015 2:48 PM
Ricky Lim · Singapore
Separating human image of worship is not only the sole practice in Islam.
At the early age of Buddhism, Buddha also request His disciples not to use His image for worship when He passed away into PariNirvana.
The reason being :-
(1) Human has expectation and perception of "Perfection", "Purity", "Beauty".
(2) As Human in the Earthly World - even though Hc can be a Buddha or a Saint - with Human body (as pile of garbage) - is subjected to the Law of Impermanence - ie. the pain of birth, pain and sufferings of sickness, aging, even when healthy and living - ie persistent struggling to survive for food, clothings and day to day living.
Thus the perception of "Perfection", "Purity", "Beauty" - will be tainted by what we see and hear - for eg. the unbeautifulness of :-
(a) begging for alms, for food
(b) wearing of robe - from the corpse
(c) sickness, aging etc
(d) even Buddha is serene, calm, restraint, tolerance and patience - He did once raise His voice on one of His disciple and chide him when one of His disciple repeatedly make mistake in hurting others.
At the early age of Buddhism, Buddha also request His disciples not to use His image for worship when He passed away into PariNirvana.
The reason being :-
(1) Human has expectation and perception of "Perfection", "Purity", "Beauty".
(2) As Human in the Earthly World - even though Hc can be a Buddha or a Saint - with Human body (as pile of garbage) - is subjected to the Law of Impermanence - ie. the pain of birth, pain and sufferings of sickness, aging, even when healthy and living - ie persistent struggling to survive for food, clothings and day to day living.
Thus the perception of "Perfection", "Purity", "Beauty" - will be tainted by what we see and hear - for eg. the unbeautifulness of :-
(a) begging for alms, for food
(b) wearing of robe - from the corpse
(c) sickness, aging etc
(d) even Buddha is serene, calm, restraint, tolerance and patience - He did once raise His voice on one of His disciple and chide him when one of His disciple repeatedly make mistake in hurting others.
Ricky Lim · Singapore
Buddha thus told His Disciples to use "Dharma Wheel" - as a reference for worship (instead of using His image) for reference and worship.
In addition, Buddha did not want His disciple to "emotionally attached" to Him - and instead practice "detachment" or "let go" as a mean of Enlightenment.
Buddha want His disciple to use "Dharma Wheel" as a point of reference for worship - because Dharma accurately depict the Universal Phenomenon of "Black Hole" and "Formation of Universe" through SuperNova.
"Dharma Wheel" also accurately depict the Supramundane phenomenon of "Jhana Samadhi - that mirror the Black Hole" and 3-Ring Fruition Enlightenment of Nirvana (formless) that enwrap the Universe which also mirror the Formation of Universe through SuperNova.
Thus during the Dharma Blooming Age (the 1st 500 years after Buddha passed aw...ay into PariNirvana), indeed Buddha image is not display in Buddhist temple and in fact "Dharma Wheel" is used as a point of reference.
But soon, in Dharma Maintenance Age and now the Dharma Ending Age - less and less Human has the ability to gain Enlightenment of Nirvana by themselves. Thus "Dharma Wheel" is losing its significance of influencing and attacting as reference point.
Thus Buddha images again emerged as a point of reference where Human can associate Buddha with Buddha's teaching - as though Buddha is alive teaching the Dharma.
So there is no right or wrong - with whether image need to be separated.
It is about which method best instil the practice and values ---- into the Heart and Mind. (whether the Dharma Wheel without the Buddha image or with Buddha Image).
For those who have trained themselves and has achieved various stage of Enlightenment once see the "Dharma Wheel" - straight away can associate with their experience - and can gain further Enlightenment - eg. understanding of Jhana Samadhi and associate with Black Hole or understanding Fruition of Nirvana and associate with SuperNova formation of the Universe.
Others by looking and praying to the Buddha Image can attain serenity, calm and can associate that Buddha as in Human form can gain Enlightenment through practice in meditation, chanting, reciting sutra or praying.
Thus whether Dharma Wheel or the Buddha Image - either one can be used as "Point of Reference" - to help disciples to practise and ultimately achieve the objective of attaining Enlightenment of Nirvana - of no birth, no death, no sufferings, no pain - eradicating the Human 3 evil roots of Ignorance of Universal Law, Hatred and Greed or Attachment - and attained the 3 wholesome roots of No-Self, Compassion and Panna Wisdom.\l "
In addition, Buddha did not want His disciple to "emotionally attached" to Him - and instead practice "detachment" or "let go" as a mean of Enlightenment.
Buddha want His disciple to use "Dharma Wheel" as a point of reference for worship - because Dharma accurately depict the Universal Phenomenon of "Black Hole" and "Formation of Universe" through SuperNova.
"Dharma Wheel" also accurately depict the Supramundane phenomenon of "Jhana Samadhi - that mirror the Black Hole" and 3-Ring Fruition Enlightenment of Nirvana (formless) that enwrap the Universe which also mirror the Formation of Universe through SuperNova.
Thus during the Dharma Blooming Age (the 1st 500 years after Buddha passed aw...ay into PariNirvana), indeed Buddha image is not display in Buddhist temple and in fact "Dharma Wheel" is used as a point of reference.
But soon, in Dharma Maintenance Age and now the Dharma Ending Age - less and less Human has the ability to gain Enlightenment of Nirvana by themselves. Thus "Dharma Wheel" is losing its significance of influencing and attacting as reference point.
Thus Buddha images again emerged as a point of reference where Human can associate Buddha with Buddha's teaching - as though Buddha is alive teaching the Dharma.
So there is no right or wrong - with whether image need to be separated.
It is about which method best instil the practice and values ---- into the Heart and Mind. (whether the Dharma Wheel without the Buddha image or with Buddha Image).
For those who have trained themselves and has achieved various stage of Enlightenment once see the "Dharma Wheel" - straight away can associate with their experience - and can gain further Enlightenment - eg. understanding of Jhana Samadhi and associate with Black Hole or understanding Fruition of Nirvana and associate with SuperNova formation of the Universe.
Others by looking and praying to the Buddha Image can attain serenity, calm and can associate that Buddha as in Human form can gain Enlightenment through practice in meditation, chanting, reciting sutra or praying.
Thus whether Dharma Wheel or the Buddha Image - either one can be used as "Point of Reference" - to help disciples to practise and ultimately achieve the objective of attaining Enlightenment of Nirvana - of no birth, no death, no sufferings, no pain - eradicating the Human 3 evil roots of Ignorance of Universal Law, Hatred and Greed or Attachment - and attained the 3 wholesome roots of No-Self, Compassion and Panna Wisdom.\l "
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