Expert: Justin Choo - 8/4/2007

Question
Hi again my dear friend,
I hope you are fine. Now I have understood the difference between a begger and a monk, to some extent. Now there come some new questions for you:

You have said “The Dhamma cannot be destroyed.  It is Universal Truth, which transcends race, nationality, belief, time and space.
<<Could anybody besides the Buddha find spiritual liberation and ultimate release? If your answer is positive, what`s TTB`s idea about them? >>
It is "very easy". When that person is COMPLETELY rid of greed, hatred and delusion.”

When a Buddhist becomes a Buddha, will he himself experience the Dhamma straightly?
Do Buddhists think that it is only their way that leads to the Truth? Or they think that other ways like Jainists` way (Just as an example) may lead to the Truth too?
And my unanswered question “Don`t you think that the Dhamma was taught once by the Buddha, and it doesn`t need to be taught again? (Unless you believe that Buddha was not a fine teacher.) Everyone who is interested in Dhamma can study the Tipitika and learn the way to reach Nirvana. (With no need to a teacher.)”

Anyway, I really THANK YOU for your answers.


Answer
Hi Arash,

<<When a Buddhist becomes a Buddha, will he himself experience the Dhamma straightly?>>

The appearance of a Buddha is very very rare.  When the Dhamma or universal truth is lost, then a Buddha will appear and re-discover it.  This will take an unimaginable long period of time...an aeon or several aeons.  To be liberated, one need not have to become a Buddha.  As I said if one is completely rid of greed, hatred and delusion, then the person has cut away the craving of attachment, there is no more rebirth.  During this period where the Dhamma has been revealed, there will not be any Buddha.  We need only to practise his teachings to gain  liberation; such a person is called an arahat (arahant), in English for lack of a better term, "a saint".  The Buddha had revealed the way to liberation.  It is up to the person whether to practise it or not.  Whether it is the only way, if the person understands the Dhamma, he will know the answer.  It is not necessary for anyone to insist that it is the only way , and others are wrong.  You see, Arash, we have to melow our mindset a bit to be more flexible and accommodating in our thinking, even when practising the Buddha's teachings.  

<<And my unanswered question “Don`t you think that the Dhamma was taught once by the Buddha, and it doesn`t need to be taught again? (Unless you believe that Buddha was not a fine teacher.) Everyone who is interested in Dhamma can study the Tipitika and learn the way to reach Nirvana. (With no need to a teacher.)>>
It is not that I have not answered your question.  If you read all my comments, the answer is in them.  So long as the Dhamma is still here, I don't see any need for anyone to "rediscover" and repeat what is already there.  However, I would say, we still need teachers to teach us and guide us through.  It's just like say, learning the English language.  Anyone can learn it by himself.  But you would agree with me that everyone will want to find an English language teacher to teach him.

Hope you are happy with the answers.  Please come back if need be.

Smile from justinchoo :-)