Expert: Bodhicitta - 9/28/2004

Question
I have a dumb question.
If Buddha will not go to Nirvana until all sentient beings reach enlightment, then shouldn't his reincarnation be here on Earth somewhere to help teach us?
Or is it that even if he wants to come back, the circumstances and conditions must be right for his reincarnation?
Thanks for your patience,
Lydia

Answer
Hi Lydia
Thanks for your question.

The answer to your question lies in the Buddhist
texts called the Mahayana Sutras. These have all sorts
of interesting names like the Flower Ornament Sutra,
the Diamond Sutra, the Lotus Sutra etc. They
describe the nature of the Universe, the nature of Buddhas
the extent of Time and Space . Sutra means the word of the Buddha so they are inspired texts.


What we are told is that the Universe is vast in extent
in time and space beyond anything we could conceive. The
numbers used in these texts are much greater than any
that Western science currently uses. We are also told
that the number of beings in the Universe is extremely
large and the number of worlds is very vast. So the number
of possibilities for being reborn is beyond our comprehension and it would be very complex to know what
rebirth any particular being might take.

I think there
is a common popular Western view that people die
and are reborn in the next village a bit later in history
or reborn somewhere else on the earth. But it seems this
is an over simplification. Only with a deep understanding
of emptiness through meditation could we understand this
process. Maybe only Buddhas can understand it.

The texts also describe the activities of Buddhas
in the Universe. It is said that the number of Buddhas
in the Universe is an extremely large number and
their activity is vast beyond our comprehension.Their
activities are vast and unceasing to help confused beings.
The manifestation of the historic Buddha born 2500 years
ago in India is just one shimmering in a vast display.

A Kalpa is an extremely vast time measure used in the
Buddhist texts.

In this luminous kalpa one thousand Buddhas will appear
on this world. Due to this auspiciousness it is known as a fortunate aeon. The historical Buddha, Shakyamuni, who appeared over 2500 years ago, was the fourth Buddha. Before him were the Buddhas Krakuchchanda, Kanakamuni and Kashyapa.

Buddhists believe that the historic Buddha unlocked
the door to a path that allows anyone who can connect
with the system of meditations that he pionered to
follow the path of awakening. So these times are fortunate.

It set in motion a set of activities that are still going
on to this day , and a lineage of great teachers,
teachings and a living energy. The living presence of
the Buddha is still here with us - while that path
is still with us.It is said that great meditators
can still meet the Buddhas.

The next Buddha to come is Buddha Maitraya
who is currently residing in Tushita heaven teaching the
Gods. He will be born on earth for the benefit of beings 4, 000 years [or 5, 000, according to another source] after the passing of Shakyamuni Buddha.  




Hope this helps
Bodhicitta