Hi there
Well to begin, the answer would be "no," Buddhist scripture does not
rely on history in any manner even close to Christianity. Buddhism
does not need a historical 'justification' for its teachings,
considers such a justification as evidence of error, and does not
relate to the history of a particular people, tribe, or nation in any
manner for its relationship to the divine. Buddhism has no "Chosen
People" whose history is a necessary prop for its support. It has no
reason or need to manipulate history and events to support a
preconceived notion as do dualistic Western Religions.
Even the way Buddhists view and use 'scripture' is far different than
it is in Christianity. A good example of that difference may be found
in my own denomination which is Jodo Shinsu Buddhism (Shin).
Traditionally Christians regard the Bible as the "Word of God,"
perfect in every way. Many Christians hold to the doctrine of the
verbal inspiration of the Bible. This means that God actually inspired
every single word in the minds of those who were writing the original
texts of the Bible. All Christian doctrine must find its basis in the
Bible.
Our attitude can be found in Shinran's "Compendium on Teaching,
Practice, Faith and Attainment." This is the basic presentation of the
fundamental doctrines of the Shin denomination. Shinran says that the
"Great Sutra of Eternal Life" is the only important scripture for
teaching. He then goes on to quote fifty-three other books to
illustrate his teachings, virtually ignoring his main scripture. When
he does quote this "Great Sutra", he accepts five different versions
of it as equally authoritative; yet some of these do not even contain
Shinran's most basic theme, the Eighteenth Vow of Amida. Buddhism is
never concerned with the letter of its scriptures. It considers the
scriptures as a guide to the way to explain what has already been
experienced religiously.
Christianity on the other hand, finds the plan of salvation in its
Bible. It takes the scriptures as a guide to BOTH history and
salvation and the means to attain religious truth.
That difference alone minimizes the importance of history to Buddhist
scripture.
Both of these religions reject the 'materialistic nihilism' of
biological science, and teach a basically spiritualy dimensioned human
being, though Buddhists do accept the concept and evidence for
biological evolution since we see no reason for a "First Cause." We
do differ in many other important respects. For example, Christians
believe in one God which rules the universe and human fate, whereas
Buddhists do not believe in one God (and do not necessarily believe in
any gods at all, or in many, as you wish) and believe that human
destiny is individually determined by our own personal actions,
thoughts and words (karma) which act as the basis of our future
happiness and misery. Karma is focused entirely on individuals --
group karma is impossible as it must relate to one person. Since the
Karma of a nation or particular group of people cannot exist, only
that of individuals, once again the history of a nation and its events
or a particular people is minimized as being unimportant to Buddhist
scripture.
However, the biggest difference between Christianity and Buddhism and
the need for history in the former and the lack of need for history in
the later, has to do with our concepts of the universe itself.
Christianity has a 'starting point' a 'creation' a beginning of
history in its book of Genesis. When there is a 'start' to history,
it only follows, there will be a history. - We as Buddhists, believe
in a universe of continuous creation and destruction with no fixed
beginning. Without a 'start' point for history, we need no further
development of a history.
The non-creation core beliefs of Buddhism preclude a need for a
'history of humanity' since the spiritual and the mundane are one and
the same. It is what we mean when we say "All things are Buddha
things" all are part and parcel of the unified reality. To need a
history of the mundane separate from the basic teachings would deny
that unity.
Since we as Buddhists have an ongoing creation without beginning or
end, the universe was, is, and will be, filled with unlimited
habitable worlds with unlimited sentient beings and unlimited
individual histories, any one of which is totally unimportant to the
overall spiritual scheme of things. Buddha's principle subject was
suffering and the end of suffering, not theological, historical or
ontological issues.
So the answer to your question: "Is history as important to Buddhists'
sacred book (s) as it is to Christianity?" is still "no."
Search - google
Terms - buddhism +and scriptural history, buddhist scripture's
relationship to history
As well as personal knowledge as a Shin Sunday School teacher - an
adult class
"Jodo-Shinshu Buddhism, Dharma for the Modern Age" - You will find a
good overview of Shin, its philosophies and history.
http://web.mit.edu/stclair/www/amida.html
"The Future of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism in America: "Why Shinshu?" -
Another good overview directly relating to the experience of Shin in
America. http://www.vbtemple.org/dharmarain/dr11_why.htm
"Buddhism, Materialism, Physicalism and Dualism." - Here you will find
an excellent resource explaining the differences between dualism and
non-dualism as well as materialism, history and other "isms." It is an
excellent read as an introduction to the topic.
http://www.geocities.com/scimah/materialism.htm
If I may clarify anything before you rate the question, please ask.
Cheers
digsalot |
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