Why Buddha didn't want him to be called 'friend' by the monks?
5
votes
2
answers
1043
views
Referring these lines from 'The Discourse to Prince Bodhi ':
> As I approached, Prince, the group-of-five monks were unable to
> continue with their own agreement, and after coming out to meet me,
> some took my bowl and robe, some prepared the seat, some placed the
> water for washing the feet.
>
> Then they addressed me by name and with the word ‘friend’.
>
> When this was said, Prince, I said this to the group-of-five monks:
> “Do not address the Gracious One, monks, by name and by the word
> ‘friend’, the Realised One, monks, is a Worthy One, a Perfect
> Sambuddha. Lend an ear, monks,........"
Is it wise to get respect by compulsion?
Is it wise to claim "I am The Greatest/Perfect One" even if you're The Greatest/Perfect One ?
If that's OK, then why did he call his teachers Ālāra Kālāma and Uddaka Rāmaputta as 'friend' even before he started learning from them? How can this be justified?
Asked by Gokul NC
(635 rep)
Nov 4, 2015, 10:32 AM
Last activity: Nov 5, 2015, 04:31 PM
Last activity: Nov 5, 2015, 04:31 PM