Expert: Bodhicitta - 6/16/2005

Question
I am studying AS religious studies including buddhism and the tipitaka scriptures.I am from south wales.  
'A piece of writing that has been handed down by word of mouth through the ages cannot be reliable?'  

Answer
Hi lowri,
Thanks for your question from South-Wales from across the river Severn from me!

Interesting statement/question - is this the essay title you have been set by your college or school or your own question?

The important thing about Buddhism is not the written materials but the living tradition that is passed from teacher to student through generations. When the Buddha was
in India 2500 years ago he went and met the best gurus  the  people who had themselves devoted their lives to understanding the secrets of the mind. he learnt all their secrets and each each teacher said to him afterwards you now know everything i know. he continued until he knew more about the secrets of the mind than any other living teacher of his time. This is why Buddhism was created to pass the secrets of the science of mind to future generations. The system in India at that time was Oral. Teachers worked with students and trained them  until they
obtained realization. Students who obtained the signs of success were recognised and were told they could be gurus and pass on the teachings to others. The written materials are supports in the hands of the living teachers but in themselves are not useful. This process is called transmission - it is like a electric current flowing down a wire.

There is much that could be said about this process of transmission. There are traditions were the essence has been lost and we are left with dead writings. There are
also processes in Buddhism to renew the live essence of
transmission when it has been lost. This is a complex
process. But this is why Buddhism has survived movement
across 2500  years and different national boundaries.

Buddhism is a secret oral tradition hidden from all. It is
beyond words, beyond writtings, beyond time, beyond place,
so the answer to your question is yes.

Bodhicitta