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Buddhist-Meditation-Systematic-and-Practical

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Theravadins of the Southern <strong>Buddhist</strong> tradition remain<br />

as an independent school), do not admit the Mahayana<br />

Sutras to be the sayings of the Buddha. Let us examine a<br />

number of points in this connection.<br />

i. Some Hinayanists say that the canonical literature of<br />

the Great Way is not Buddha-word but the invention of<br />

Nagarjuna or Asvaghosa. But those believing this<br />

should know that even if the Mahayana teachings were<br />

revealed by these sages, there is still good reason to<br />

have faith in them. The Buddha has many bodies, one of<br />

which is called the "Nisy<strong>and</strong>akaya" (from Chinese we<br />

get the meaning, "Equal throughout"). This body is an<br />

impartial outflowing; a flowing everywhere of the<br />

preaching Buddha, even into the heavens <strong>and</strong><br />

descending to hells. The Buddha, creating human<br />

appearances, causes them to do whatever he wishes, <strong>and</strong><br />

so is unlimited by conditioned circumstances <strong>and</strong> has<br />

appeared in other realms; for example, in the world of<br />

dragons (Nagaloka).<br />

It is recorded that at first, Nagarjuna, who was very<br />

intelligent but proud, wanted to establish his own<br />

religion as he was not satisfied with the Hinayana<br />

teachings of the Buddha. It was his conceit which<br />

caused him to think of establishing a religion superior to<br />

Buddhadharma.<br />

Then the Naga-king invited him to come to his palace<br />

<strong>and</strong> read the extensive teaching left there by the Buddha.<br />

167

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