THE ‘INHERITORS’ OF THE BUDDHIST TEACHINGS AND THE PARINIRVĀṆA OF FIRST ‘INHERITOR’, MAHĀKAŚYAPA: The first ‘inheritors’ of Early Buddhism after the Buddha’s passing away, and the remarkable parinirvāṇa of Buddha’s ‘legacy-holder’, Mahākāśyapa (17th Karmapa teaching, Day 7)

"Generally, in the Vinaya, there was a tradition in the Sangha for people to be normally appointed by some kind of vote, or consensus. However, there was no vote for the first 'inheritor of the teachings'. Buddha personally appointed the 'inheritor' as Mahākāśyapa." "In terms of the meaning of 'inheritor' of the teachings, according to… Continue reading THE ‘INHERITORS’ OF THE BUDDHIST TEACHINGS AND THE PARINIRVĀṆA OF FIRST ‘INHERITOR’, MAHĀKAŚYAPA: The first ‘inheritors’ of Early Buddhism after the Buddha’s passing away, and the remarkable parinirvāṇa of Buddha’s ‘legacy-holder’, Mahākāśyapa (17th Karmapa teaching, Day 7)

SAGA DAWA DUCHEN DAY: Remembering the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and parinirvana. Buddha’s final meal, student, teaching and passing into paranirvana, and the 19th Century discovery of his stunning bone and jewel relics

"All composite things are impermanent. They do not last. Strive diligently for your liberation.” (Anda dāni, bhikkhave, āmantayāmi vo, vayadhammā saṅkhārā appamādena sampādethā.)”–Shakyamuni Buddha’s Last Words “31. Just as when ghee or oil is burned, it leaves no particles or ashes behind, even so when the body of the Blessed One had been burned, no… Continue reading SAGA DAWA DUCHEN DAY: Remembering the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and parinirvana. Buddha’s final meal, student, teaching and passing into paranirvana, and the 19th Century discovery of his stunning bone and jewel relics

"When Buddha sat on Mahākāśyapa's robe, he said, "This robe of yours is really soft, it is really nice." Mahākāśyapa immediately said, "As you said Buddha, this robe is soft, please accept this robe." The Buddha's outer robes were made out of rags that had been thrown out along the road and in the filth.… Continue reading FROM RICHES TO RAGS: THE MAN TO WHOM BUDDHA GAVE HIS OLD ROBES: MAHAKASHYAPA’S LIBERATION-STORY BY 17th KARMAPA

“Sthūlanandā was not well turned out, did not practice good deportment, and had very dirty ripped robes [revealing] great breasts hanging down like gourds and large buttocks. She was arrogant, unseemly, frivolous, fractious, and garrulous in her speech. [The families] did not respect her and did not host her.”--- Mahāsāṅghika-Lokottaravādin Bhikṣuṇī-vinaya “We have to see… Continue reading THE ‘FAT JOYFUL’ NUN, STHULANANDA: ‘BADDEST-BALDIE’ IN THE VINAYA OR ‘BAD-ASS’ PROTO-FEMINIST? Early Buddhist nun, Sthūlanandā’s ‘badness’ challenging male monastic privilege or a powerful symbol of the futile ‘trappings’ of following rules without real, inner transformation