Expert: Joe McSorley - 6/25/2004

Question
so avalokitesvara manjushi they are only myth as u say are they just symbols

how do bodhisatta help u being like a saviour

in true buddhism why do you prostate to buddha in submission to a supernatural being is buddha (sakyamuni and amida) omnipotent

Answer
Hi Jay,
 When I talked about the Bodhisattva I used the term myth on purpose because it really doens't work.  Awakening is only from self.  You cannot drink and quench my thirst so the idea of a bodhisattva, while nice, is not tenable.
 What are you calling 'true buddhism'?  I think this idea of prostration to the Buddha is warped and an aberation of the historical Buddha's teachings.  No where in the Four Noble Truths or the Eightfold path does the man say he is to be bowed to or omnipotent.  This is the addition of people who miss his teachings.  None of these teachings exist in Zen/Chan.  If self has no substance and Buddha has no substance who are you bowing to?
 take care,
       Joe