CHINESE SUPERSTITIONS - University of Oregon

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and not as a member of a monastic community. He is thus a
concentrated, selfish being', the ideal, it is true to state, of the
Hinayana system, but quite opposed to the later development of
the Mahayana School. He is not absolutely omniscient (1), like the
Supreme Buddha, and hence does not communicate his knowledge
to others. A Pratyeka-Buddha never appears on earth at the same
time with a Supreme Buddha.
9. The Supreme Buddha. — Buddha means the ''Enlightened",
the "Wise". He is the self-elevated man, perfect in knowledge,
and who has by the practice of the ten transcendent virtues (2), and
through the extinction of the passions, and of all desire for existence,
reached holiness and the highest summits of Arhatship. He has,
however, ''delayed entering Nirvana, that he may help mortals, and
become the Saviour of a suffering world (3). This is the Supreme
Buddha, Guatama, who saves men by teaching them how to save
themselves. He is thus immensely superior both to Pratyeka-Buddhas,
and the most perfect Arhats.
Sakyamuni, Shih-hiali-fuh pi j|g fjjjj,
is the fourth Buddha of
the present kalpa. He will be followed by the fifth Buddha, Maitreya,
Mi-leh-fuh $# '4)i f$> wno wil1 appear on earth after a lapse
years (4).
of 3000
(1) Their knowledge is limited, but the}' never fall into any error that
would involve the transgression of the precepts. Hardy. Manual of Buddhism,
p. 87. — Monier Williams. Buddhism, p. 134.
(2) These are means leading to Nirvana. They comprise giving, moral
conduct, patience, fortitude, profound contemplation, wisdom, truth, steadfast
resolution, kindness, and ecstatic quietude (this is practically absolute indif-
ference and apathy). Eitel. Sanscrit-Chinese Dictionary, p. 90. — Monier
Williams. Buddhism, p. 128.
(3) Buddhism saves only from pain or suffering, and this by extinction
of all personal existence. A yawning chasm separates
Buddhism from
Christianity. The former aims at eternal extinction, the latter at eternal life.
Monier Williams. Buddhism, p 541, 5G3.
(4) See on Maitreya, the Future Buddha. Chinese Superstitions. Vol. VI.
p. 103-105.