The Miracles in the Biography of the Buddha found in Mahāyāna Sūtra Literature: a Comparative Study Based on Saddharmapuṇḍarīka Sūtra and Theravada Teachings

Abstract

The Theravada teachings about the Buddha are totally different to that of the Mahayana teachings. There are different descriptions about the hyper humanistic qualities, miracles and eternity of the Buddha. The present study is based on Saddharmapuṇḍarīka Sūtra and it aims to identify the wonders observed in the biography of Buddha. Textual and book analysis have been utilized as the methodology. The main objective is to examine the miracles of the Buddha depicted in Saddharmapuṇḍarīka Sūtra and to conduct a comparative analysis related to Theravada teachings. The sutta consists of 27 chapters and there are complimentary descriptions related to the appearance, characteristics, diplomacy, purity and super human qualities and the graceful life of the Buddha. The demise of the Buddha accepted in Theravada was justified as a result of his diplomatic ability. The Sutta acclaims the body of the Buddha as consisting of saintly characteristics other than the 32 great characteristics commended in Theravada. Both the paternal concept of the world and Dharmavarśā concepts have been emphasized here. The Theravada teachings depict Buddha as a person who obtained humanity to realize the truth and introduce the great concept of cause and effect to the world. Moreover, Theravada tradition accepts three stages of enlightenments and expects noble results. Therefore, the Theravada teachings bases even the biography of the Buddha on the concept of cause and effect. The wisdom of Buddha is the key among Mahayana teachings and shows that eternal liberation cannot be gained from any other method other than the wisdom of Buddha. Saddharmapuṇdarīka Sūtra praises the biography of the Buddha in exaggeration, as its main aim is to increase the faith of the devotees and to attract them towards the wisdom of the Buddha.