Question asked by Luna
1: Why do some Buddhas step on Hindu Gods, isn't that disrespectful to Hinduism?
2: If the goal of Buddhism is to become a Buddha, what happens after everyone becomes a Buddha?
3: Can you explain the 4th aggregate?
4: Asking permission for money, but not specifying what I'm using the money for (to buy Dharmic items); is that an impure source?
5: If you had a message to say to the world what would it be?
Dear Luna,
(1) In regards to your first question, it may appear to be disrespectful but in fact it is not. One thing you must keep in mind is that both Buddhism and Hinduism are both from India. So Buddhism’s emergence in India is intimately intertwined with the Hindu gods. While there have definitely been instances of historical antagonism between Hindus and Buddhists in the past, this was more due to political reasons. At the core, both religions are extremely inclusive and if you were to speak to those high sages/saints of either religion, then they will say the same thing.
In regards to the iconography of Buddhist deities, it is not that the Buddha is putting down a particular god. There is reason and story behind each and every Buddha, including those that step on gods. Actually most of the deities that step on figures, actually step on beings that are the embodiment of negativity and delusions. In some cases, they are however stepping on gods.
For example, take Heruka. He ‘steps’ on the highest god Mahadeva and the goddess Kalaratri. One day Mahadeva showed a very lustful and desirous attitude, and as the highest god in the universe, his energies pervaded all beings who became equally lustful and desirous. This prompted Buddha Shakyamuni himself to arise in a form that looked exactly like Mahadeva but with more arms and more radiance. Upon seeing this form of Buddha Shakyamuni, Mahadeva and Kalaratri offered themselves under Heruka’s feet, in acknowledgement that we should overcome lust and desire. They were not subjugated forcefully but offered themselves willingly.
While this may on the surface still seem disrespectful in that a Buddhist is saying that they offered themselves, so he is saying Buddhism is better than Hinduism, we need to look deeper. What if this display had a deeper divine meaning? The Buddhas and gods illustrating through their very actions the path that we must take to reach the ultimate goal of spiritual transformation and that the path involves the transformation of our ordinary desires? Similarly, each and every deity that steps on any being has a story and teaching. Even within Hinduism, the goddess Kali steps on Shiva. While this may seem derogatory to worshippers of Shiva, if we know and understand the meaning behind the depiction and story and what it teaches us about overcoming anger and remembering love; balancing emotions; not falling in to extremes of emotions, etc., then imagery is actually beautiful and shows us how to practice transformation.
(2) There is no stage beyond a fully enlightened being (known as Buddha). Just as within other Dharmic religions, there is no stage beyond Moksha/Mukti or becoming one with the divine.
(3) I believe you are referring to Mental Formations? This is indeed a very deep topic and one that I won’t be able to explain sufficiently here. The Five Aggregrates take quite a lot of explaining. You should attend classes or courses on the Lamrim or Abhidharma to learn more about this.
(4) It depends on the situation. If they person you are asking for money is okay that you can spend the money however you like, then it is fine, as long as that money itself was not made from a negative source. If you are asking for money and hiding the fact that you are going to spend it on Dharma items for fear of not getting the money, then it’s not an impure sources as such but is an act of deceit.
(5) Practice compassion. As the title of Tsem Rinpoche’s book says “Compassion Conquers All”.