🧡 If you find benefit in my videos, consider supporting the channel by joining us on Patreon and get fun extras like exclusive videos, ad-free audio-only versions, and extensive show notes: www.patreon.com/dougsseculardharma 🙂 📙 You can find my book here: books2read.com/buddhisthandbook
Absolutely fascinating. As a simpleton and not a scholar, and never having considered any of the history surrounding the earth touching statues, I only ever formulated and held my own explanation which is that they portray Buddha touching the earth as he reaches enlightenment, to remind us that we are one with the earth, that our khandas arise from it and eventually return to it. He now fully saw things as they really are and is encouraging us to do the same so he touches the very thing from which we sprang. I now know a great deal more, and was so especially interested to learn of the early images depicting not the Buddha, but his absence. Something completely new to me too! Really enjoyable as well as informative! Thank you!
It actually depicts the moment when the Buddha dropped his lightsaber and said "I'll never turn to the dark side. I am a Jedi, like my father before me."
In Xian China, I visited the pagoda Xuanzang stored the sutras he brought from India in. The sutras are long gone but I remembered the monk's name from the Monkey story.
Thank you. This is very interesting. I love being surprised when obscure information based on tracing back history actually contradicts the current mainstream understanding. It shows how we should not cling on so hard to a certain position or view as we can never be 100% certain how these were handed down to us and may have changed in so many ways over the course of history. New scholarship based on new technologies 100 years from now may unearth new info too. 😊
Thanks Doug for your ongoing stimulus of all things Dharma, winkling out so to speak, or at least bringing focus upon the content portrayed, the reality revealed, of the transformative moment of The Lord Buddha's pursuit of the unremutable. This "Earth touching, or maybe even tapping" representation demonstrates that he didn't know in the moments before(just like us) what came to fruit in the next and became the strobeing "note to self" that everything had been done, simultaneously transmitted into reality for others, like minded. In reality, this moment is indescribable in mundane terms because it is, of course supra mundane. The cessation of suffering, together with the knowledge of the path to it are unified into the "cosmic discharge" earthed, or released and simultaneously radiated throughout the conditioned world. For the benefit of the many, known and unknown, far and beyond. The Wheel of Dharma has turned, is turning destroying the impediments to it's transmission. Similar to the prayer wheels in the temples that feature them, touching them reminds us and sends the unmistakable intention for the supra mundane to become a living reality in our hearts and minds. The possibility and reality of the cessation of suffering is now a knowable, verifiable truth and is on it's way through the fabric of conditionality. Those who intend to overcome conditionality, can now do so. Not surprising that there was a cosmic"Mexican wave" of cheering affirmation from those who had perceived it and who rejoiced that the way was now clear.
For me (not a Buddhist) this image represents staying calm (or grounded) while going through the existential fear and terror of approaching Enlightenment, or Liberation. 🌟
"Even if one should seize the hem of my robe and walk behind me, if he is covetous in his desires, fierce in his longings, malevolent of heart, with corrupt mind, careless and unrestrained, he is far from me. Because he does not see the Dharma, and not seeing the Dharma, he does not see me." AN 1
I assumed in my unlightened mind that the Buddah was displaying an image of / or to be grounded. One other idea that passed my mind was that the ground (Earth) is part of the Buddah himself anyway. Neither are found separately. Very informative video ❤
🕊️🙏🏼Buddha holds his right hand downward in the earth-touching gesture (bhumisparsha mudra) with which he calls the earth goddess to affirm that he is entitled to attain enlightenment following his triumph over Mara, the destroyer.🕉️
I have a few earlier videos on aspects of Buddhist art that you might want to check out. The Hellenistic movement in Buddhist art was centered in Gandhara, part of present day Pakistan.
Dear Doug, could u pls do a video on Nagarjuna's emptiness? because it's the most radical and profound teaching I've come across in the sense that while all philosophies and religions talk about some kind of ultimate truth, nagarjuna's emptiness exclusively says that there isn't anything that is ultimate, that everything exists in relation to each other. Things become even more extreme when even nirvana is said to be not real and only exists in relation to samsara or Buddha becomes Buddha only in relation to our sufferings. The interesting point it makes is there isn't any ultimate reference point that defines all of phenomena's reality. Instead there is vast emptiness where one phenomenon's reality is based upon it's relation with another phenomenon's reality.
Buddha was already rooted directly to Earth. Mara was nothing but a fleeting thought. Yama was a figment of imagination. The artists of the first century were showing this in their own fashion. There's a certain beauty.
To me it’s really quiet understandable that the first generations of Buddhist chose to ‘depict’ enlightenment as a form of absence rather that in a distinctive form. That make sense from an absolute point of view, doesn’t it? However, as we know enlightenment also expresses itself in innumerable ways in order to liberate beings still not liberated. Within Mahayana and Varjayana this is expressed within the teachings of the three kayas where Dharmakaya is described as the Ultimate Body beyond all descriptions and dualities. Sambogakaya body which is a subtle bodily manifestation of Dharmakaya, non-physical and made out of light for the benefit of highly realized beings that are on the brink of reaching full enlightenment. Nirmanakaya is the third type of enlightened body that manifest out of compassion for all types of other beings still trapped in samsara, such us humans. In these teachings we encounter a whole array of bodily attributes that are aimed at unlocking our enlightened potentials by means of their expressions and manners of appearances. In this context we encounter a whole array of “mudra’s” -hand-gestures that corresponds with different aspect of the enlightened mind. One of which is the “earth-touching” mudra. In Mahayana this gesture is sometimes simply associated with the concept of “truth” Prajnaparamitha. The closest way of expressing the irrefutable truth of reality. For a practitioner of Varjayana the added dimension of varja nature, the indestructible nature of enlightenment can be superimposed on this gesture since the ground of Varjasana at the Bodhgaya location is said to be of the indestructible varja quality that is need to sustain and support an emerging Buddha. In this sense the ground and the fruition becomes one by means of the practice of this gesture. In this way this gesture represent the completion of the path of Ground - Practice - Fruition by the Buddha.
There can only be a moment of enlightenment after the opening of the eyes. It is a process of rebirth as the realized self. The defeat of Mara's army is the spiritual equivalent of "going into labor". Without the process there is no result. Addendum: the actions of a buddha are those of a bodhisattva.
Cool history lesson. Being into Zen I’m reminded of an exchange between a monk and his master. The monk asked, “what is Buddha? The master replied, “who are you”? All beings are Buddha. There isn’t an image of anyone anywhere that isn’t an image of Buddha. At least that’s my understanding.
I have a question for you. According to Buddhism how should we handle moments like this where the world seems to be headed towards WW3? How could we stay calm in this situation?
Hi Doug, I'm a big fan of your videos, and I really appreciate the content you create. It's a bit disheartening to see your videos not getting the views they deserve. I’m sure that views are probably not your main focus, but if I may make a suggestion. Perhaps you could consider using thumbnails without your face in them. Not that there's anything wrong with your face, of course, but your thumbnails are quite captivating on their own. I think adding yourself in the bottom corner might distract from the overall thumbnail design. Thanks for the informative content anyhow :)
I've always thought the opposition to depictions of the Buddha were intended to de-emphasize the importance of the Buddha as an individual and instead keep focus on the Dharma. Even if this statue depicts the pre-enlightenment bodhisattva, doesn't it run contrary to this prioritization of the Dharma over the individual? (Because it suggests that biographical details of the Buddha's journey DO matter.)
By the turn of the CE, opposition to depictions of the Buddha were waning. Partly this may have been for didactic reasons (wanting to teach about the Buddha’s life as an entryway to teaching about his dharma), part of it was likely also devotional, there may have been other reasons as well.
Sir got a question im a buddhist and also im a psychic is there a way i can use my psychic gift in a buddhist way of using it I can feel peoples emotions even were just texting and sense energy of others like emotions i wonder if i could use it too benefit me as buddhist practicioner ?
That’s an interesting point, but it depends on the statue. I’ve seen earlier ones with him touching the throne he is sitting on. The narrative is clear though that it’s the earth he’s touching.
Pali Pakrit is India Anciant Language.Buddhist Anciant Rock Incription are in Pali Pakrit. Sanskrit Langauge come in India 4th AD To 6th AD Century. Buddhist Monk Padini Developed Hybrid Sanskrit Gramer. Sanskrit in Not old langauge.There is no Proof of Sanskrit language before 4th AD to 6th AD. Hindu Fool everyone sanskrit is Old and Anciant langauge. But dont Show any Proof.
![KSI - Thick Of It (feat. Trippie Redd) [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/At8v_Yc044Y/mqdefault.jpg)
🧡 If you find benefit in my videos, consider supporting the channel by joining us on Patreon and get fun extras like exclusive videos, ad-free audio-only versions, and extensive show notes: www.patreon.com/dougsseculardharma 🙂
📙 You can find my book here: books2read.com/buddhisthandbook
How it show 3w (3 week) when it was uploaded 1 hr ago?
Absolutely fascinating. As a simpleton and not a scholar, and never having considered any of the history surrounding the earth touching statues, I only ever formulated and held my own explanation which is that they portray Buddha touching the earth as he reaches enlightenment, to remind us that we are one with the earth, that our khandas arise from it and eventually return to it. He now fully saw things as they really are and is encouraging us to do the same so he touches the very thing from which we sprang. I now know a great deal more, and was so especially interested to learn of the early images depicting not the Buddha, but his absence. Something completely new to me too! Really enjoyable as well as informative! Thank you!
Yes it’s pretty neat!
Touching grass, its as powerful as ever
I love this channel so much. Doug thank you. All of this is just amazing. You’re making my life better and more enjoyable.
Wow, thanks! You’re very welcome! 🙏😊
Excellent Doug thank you 🙏🙏🙏
You are very welcome!
It actually depicts the moment when the Buddha dropped his lightsaber and said "I'll never turn to the dark side. I am a Jedi, like my father before me."
😄
‘As Earth is my witness….’
Sadhu!Sadhu! Sadhu!
🙏
In Xian China, I visited the pagoda Xuanzang stored the sutras he brought from India in. The sutras are long gone but I remembered the monk's name from the Monkey story.
Interesting, too bad they’re long gone!
Thank you. This is very interesting. I love being surprised when obscure information based on tracing back history actually contradicts the current mainstream understanding. It shows how we should not cling on so hard to a certain position or view as we can never be 100% certain how these were handed down to us and may have changed in so many ways over the course of history. New scholarship based on new technologies 100 years from now may unearth new info too. 😊
Yes that's right, especially with new translations coming out all the time.
Thanks Doug for your ongoing stimulus of all things Dharma, winkling out so to speak, or at least bringing focus upon the content portrayed, the reality revealed, of the transformative moment of The Lord Buddha's pursuit of the unremutable. This "Earth touching, or maybe even tapping" representation demonstrates that he didn't know in the moments before(just like us) what came to fruit in the next and became the strobeing "note to self" that everything had been done, simultaneously transmitted into reality for others, like minded.
In reality, this moment is indescribable in mundane terms because it is, of course supra mundane. The cessation of suffering, together with the knowledge of the path to it are unified into the "cosmic discharge" earthed, or released and simultaneously radiated throughout the conditioned world.
For the benefit of the many, known and unknown, far and beyond.
The Wheel of Dharma has turned, is turning destroying the impediments to it's transmission. Similar to the prayer wheels in the temples that feature them, touching them reminds us and sends the unmistakable intention for the supra mundane to become a living reality in our hearts and minds.
The possibility and reality of the cessation of suffering is now a knowable, verifiable truth and is on it's way through the fabric of conditionality. Those who intend to overcome conditionality, can now do so.
Not surprising that there was a cosmic"Mexican wave" of cheering affirmation from those who had perceived it and who rejoiced that the way was now clear.
🙏
For me (not a Buddhist) this image represents staying calm (or grounded) while going through the existential fear and terror of approaching Enlightenment, or Liberation. 🌟
"Even if one should seize the hem of my robe and walk behind me, if he is covetous in his desires, fierce in his longings, malevolent of heart, with corrupt mind, careless and unrestrained, he is far from me. Because he does not see the Dharma, and not seeing the Dharma, he does not see me." AN 1
I assumed in my unlightened mind that the Buddah was displaying an image of / or to be grounded.
One other idea that passed my mind was that the ground (Earth) is part of the Buddah himself anyway. Neither are found separately.
Very informative video ❤
🙏😊
🕊️🙏🏼Buddha holds his right hand downward in the earth-touching gesture (bhumisparsha mudra) with which he calls the earth goddess to affirm that he is entitled to attain enlightenment following his triumph over Mara, the destroyer.🕉️
Definitely want a video about Buddhist art! What about the Greek Buddha statues that were in Afghanistan?
I have a few earlier videos on aspects of Buddhist art that you might want to check out. The Hellenistic movement in Buddhist art was centered in Gandhara, part of present day Pakistan.
Dear Doug, could u pls do a video on Nagarjuna's emptiness? because it's the most radical and profound teaching I've come across in the sense that while all philosophies and religions talk about some kind of ultimate truth, nagarjuna's emptiness exclusively says that there isn't anything that is ultimate, that everything exists in relation to each other. Things become even more extreme when even nirvana is said to be not real and only exists in relation to samsara or Buddha becomes Buddha only in relation to our sufferings. The interesting point it makes is there isn't any ultimate reference point that defines all of phenomena's reality. Instead there is vast emptiness where one phenomenon's reality is based upon it's relation with another phenomenon's reality.
I did a video on the two truths touching on Nagarjuna: ruclips.net/video/yBKK1HvieqU/видео.html
Buddha was already rooted directly to Earth. Mara was nothing but a fleeting thought. Yama was a figment of imagination. The artists of the first century were showing this in their own fashion. There's a certain beauty.
Recently got a Buddha statue, so Doug is always in the know :)
😄
What of the ushnisha, the flame of enlightenment, on the Buddha's head? That surely shows that this indicates the moment of awakening.
The flame isn't mentioned in the associated texts, and has a somewhat uncertain meaning.
To me it’s really quiet understandable that the first generations of Buddhist chose to ‘depict’ enlightenment as a form of absence rather that in a distinctive form. That make sense from an absolute point of view, doesn’t it?
However, as we know enlightenment also expresses itself in innumerable ways in order to liberate beings still not liberated. Within Mahayana and Varjayana this is expressed within the teachings of the three kayas where Dharmakaya is described as the Ultimate Body beyond all descriptions and dualities. Sambogakaya body which is a subtle bodily manifestation of Dharmakaya, non-physical and made out of light for the benefit of highly realized beings that are on the brink of reaching full enlightenment. Nirmanakaya is the third type of enlightened body that manifest out of compassion for all types of other beings still trapped in samsara, such us humans. In these teachings we encounter a whole array of bodily attributes that are aimed at unlocking our enlightened potentials by means of their expressions and manners of appearances. In this context we encounter a whole array of “mudra’s” -hand-gestures that corresponds with different aspect of the enlightened mind. One of which is the “earth-touching” mudra. In Mahayana this gesture is sometimes simply associated with the concept of “truth” Prajnaparamitha. The closest way of expressing the irrefutable truth of reality.
For a practitioner of Varjayana the added dimension of varja nature, the indestructible nature of enlightenment can be superimposed on this gesture since the ground of Varjasana at the Bodhgaya location is said to be of the indestructible varja quality that is need to sustain and support an emerging Buddha. In this sense the ground and the fruition becomes one by means of the practice of this gesture. In this way this gesture represent the completion of the path of Ground - Practice - Fruition by the Buddha.
🙏
So if he came to the moment of enlightenment at dawn, when did he attain nirvana, or was it there all along??🤔
There can only be a moment of enlightenment after the opening of the eyes. It is a process of rebirth as the realized self. The defeat of Mara's army is the spiritual equivalent of "going into labor". Without the process there is no result.
Addendum: the actions of a buddha are those of a bodhisattva.
Cool history lesson. Being into Zen I’m reminded of an exchange between a monk and his master. The monk asked, “what is Buddha? The master replied, “who are you”? All beings are Buddha. There isn’t an image of anyone anywhere that isn’t an image of Buddha. At least that’s my understanding.
Ha! Maybe so!
@@DougsDharma Maybe?😉
I have a question for you. According to Buddhism how should we handle moments like this where the world seems to be headed towards WW3? How could we stay calm in this situation?
It's not an easy question, I'll be coming out with a video very soon on the topic. 🙏
@@DougsDharma thank you
Hi Doug, I'm a big fan of your videos, and I really appreciate the content you create.
It's a bit disheartening to see your videos not getting the views they deserve. I’m sure that views are probably not your main focus, but if I may make a suggestion.
Perhaps you could consider using thumbnails without your face in them. Not that there's anything wrong with your face, of course, but your thumbnails are quite captivating on their own. I think adding yourself in the bottom corner might distract from the overall thumbnail design.
Thanks for the informative content anyhow :)
Thanks, I've done some thumbnails without my face on them, I don't think it makes a difference either way really.
Can you do a video on Dzogchen?
I've always thought the opposition to depictions of the Buddha were intended to de-emphasize the importance of the Buddha as an individual and instead keep focus on the Dharma. Even if this statue depicts the pre-enlightenment bodhisattva, doesn't it run contrary to this prioritization of the Dharma over the individual? (Because it suggests that biographical details of the Buddha's journey DO matter.)
By the turn of the CE, opposition to depictions of the Buddha were waning. Partly this may have been for didactic reasons (wanting to teach about the Buddha’s life as an entryway to teaching about his dharma), part of it was likely also devotional, there may have been other reasons as well.
Sir got a question im a buddhist and also im a psychic is there a way i can use my psychic gift in a buddhist way of using it I can feel peoples emotions even were just texting and sense energy of others like emotions i wonder if i could use it too benefit me as buddhist practicioner ?
You could say there is evidence of the "sudden teaching" in early Buddhism.
I have an earlier video on the sudden vs. gradual approach to enlightenment: ruclips.net/video/p0tI1ZjiIQ4/видео.html
🙏
🙏😊
Buddhist Ned Flanders rocks it again.
Isn't this video duplicated?
that's what I thought
Nope...a continuation
@@TarnishedBuddha You're a continuation...theoretically
Only peaceful religion in this world, thanks for teaching
🙏
He us touching the lotus he is sitting on, not the earth.
That’s an interesting point, but it depends on the statue. I’ve seen earlier ones with him touching the throne he is sitting on. The narrative is clear though that it’s the earth he’s touching.
Pali Pakrit is India Anciant Language.Buddhist Anciant Rock Incription are in Pali Pakrit. Sanskrit Langauge come in India 4th AD To 6th AD Century. Buddhist Monk Padini Developed Hybrid Sanskrit Gramer. Sanskrit in Not old langauge.There is no Proof of Sanskrit language before 4th AD to 6th AD. Hindu Fool everyone sanskrit is Old and Anciant langauge. But dont Show any Proof.
🐱🙏
🙏🙂
A Buddhist image???
There ain't no such thing!