A
Successor to the Buddha
Buddhahood is the highest of all achievements.
Many people ask why the Buddha
did not appoint a successor. But can any one appoint another to take the place of the
Supreme Enlightened One? Attaining Buddhahood is the highest of all achievements that only
the wisest man can reach. He is the flower of mankind. To attain this highest position,
one must have the qualification such as self-training, self-discipline, moral background,
supreme knowledge, and extra-ordinary compassion towards every living being. Therefore, a
person himself must take the trouble to qualify himself in order to attain Buddhahood. For
example, a doctor cannot appoint even his own son as doctor unless the son has qualified
himself to be a doctor. A lawyer cannot appoint another person as a lawyer unless that
person obtains the necessary qualifications. A scientist cannot appoint another person as
a scientist unless that person possesses the knowledge of a scientist.
Therefore, the Buddha did not appoint a successor. On the
other hand, even if He had done that, the person who was to succeed Him would not have the
real qualities of the Buddha and would certainly misuse the authority and mislead the
public.
Authority over a religion must be exercised by a person or
persons possessing a clear mind, proper understanding, perfection and leading a holy life.
Authority should not be exercised by worldly-minded people who have become slaves to
sensual pleasures or who crave for worldly material gain or power. Otherwise the
sacredness, freedom and truth in a religion could be abused.
'I am not the first Buddha to come upon this
earth; nor shall I be the last. Previously, there were many Buddhas who appeared in this
world. In due time, another Buddha will arise in this world, within this world cycle.'
When the Buddha was about to pass away, Ven. Ananda
and many other disciples wept. The Buddha said, 'Enough, Ananda. Do not allow yourself to
be troubled. Do not weep. Have I not already told you that it is in the very nature of
things that they must pass away. We must be separated from all that is near and dear to
us. The foolish man conceives his idea of Self; the wise man sees there is no ground on
which to build the Self. Thus the wise man has a right conception of the
world. He will conclude that all component things will be dissolved again; but the Truth
will always remain.'
The Buddha continued: 'Why should I preserve this
body when the body of the excellent law will endure? I am resolved. I have accomplished my
purpose and have attended to the work set upon me. Ananda, for a long time you have been
very near to me in thoughts, words and acts of much love beyond all measure. You have done
well, Ananda. Be earnest in effort and you too will soon be free from bondages! You will
be free from sensuality, from delusion, and from ignorance.' Suppressing his tears, Ananda
said to the Buddha, 'Who shall teach us when You are gone?' And the Buddha advised him to
regard His Teaching as the Master.
The Buddha continued again: 'I am not the first
Buddha to come upon earth; nor shall I be the last. In due time, another Buddha will arise
in this world, a Holy One, a Supremely Enlightened One, endowed with wisdom, in conduct
auspicious, knowing the universe, an incomparable leader of men, a master of devas and
men. He will reveal to you the same Eternal Truths which I have taught you. He will
proclaim a religious life, wholly perfect and pure; such as I now proclaim.'
'How shall we know him?' asked Ananda. The Buddha
replied, 'He will be known as Maitreya which means kindness or friendliness.'(In
Buddhavamsa, 28 names of the previous Buddhas are mentioned, including Gautama the
Buddha.)
Buddhists believe that those people who at present are
doing meritorious deeds by leading a religious life will have a chance to be reborn as
human beings in the time of Maitreya Buddha and will obtain Nibbana
identical with that of Gautama Buddha. In this way they will find salvation through the
guidance of His Teaching. His Teaching will become a hope of the remote future for
everybody. However, according to the Buddha devout religious people can gain this Nibbanic
bliss at any time if they really work for it irrespective of whether a Buddha appears or
not.
'As long as my disciples lead a pure religious
life, so long the world will never become empty of Arahantas.' (Maha Parinibbana Sutta)
-ooOoo-
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