fifth Buddha

[keitra]

What is the fifth Buddha?

[Quizmonster]

A possible way to explain this would be to say he is "The Expected One". Many world religions believe in a Saviour who will appear on earth at some time to 'sort everything out', as it were - eg Jews have the Messiah. For some more information on this you could click http://www.shareintl.org/maitreya/Ma_main.htm

[omblod]

The teaching of Shakyamuni (Buddha) was handed on to his followers in a succession known as "The Transmission of Light". Although these followers are known as the Patriarchs of Buddhism, they are often referred to as Buddha with an ordinal number indicating their position in the Buddhist lineage. The first five Buddhas after "The Buddha" were; Mahakashyapa, Ananda, Shanavasin, Upagupta and Dhitika so depending on whether you count Shakyamuni or not, either of the last two named could be the "Fifth Buddha". Check out http://www.angelfire.com/electronic/bodhidharma/li
neage.html for a full lineage of the Buddha.

[gg333]

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