You are here:

Buddhists/Guru Rinpoche

Advertisement

Expert: - 3/12/2010


Question
Hello,I thought that Maitreya Buddha is the third Buddha of this age,how is Padmasambhava the second Buddha?Thank you,Tom

Answer
Dear Tom,
Different ways of looking at things. Guru Rinpoche would not be counted in the same scheme. There are said to be huge time intervals between Buddhas such as Sakyamuni (2 or 3 thousand years ago) and the next one, Maitreya, many many thousands of years in the future. Guru Rinpoche is looked on as like a second Buddha for *this* time, even though we had Sakyamuni not long ago.
It would be a bit rash to expect these things to be entirely logical!
All the best
Alex W

Buddhists

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Alex Wilding

Expertise

I have practiced and studied Tibetan Buddhism in the Kagyu and Nyingma traditions since the early 1970s, and have a good knowledge of theory, history and of the struggles of trying to practice the teachings, including meditation, while leading a normal, modern life. I am also available to provide background information for journalists.

Experience

I have been a practitioner since the early 1970s; have run a small Buddhist centre in the English Midlands and was vice-president of Kagyu Benchen Ling e.V. in Germany, for whom I managed three large Buddhist summer-camps. More importantly, I maintain a habit of personal practice. I am the "owner" of the Kagyu list at Yahoo.

Education/Credentials
My first degree was an M.A. from Oxford. I later obtained a Master of Philosophy degree for a research thesis in "Initiation in Tibetan Buddhism" from Leicester University. I also have engineering and educational qualifications.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.