Yes, a Buddha

[bodhitree]

Fred Rogers, departed yesturday was a Buddha. He may not have been a Buddhist, but he taught us and our children loving kindness and compassion. Most TV show for children teach cognative development but Fred "Mr. Rogers" teaches acceptence, That we are all special and unique, but at the same time we are all the same. Mr. Rogers was not just like that on screen, All of us Pittsburghers have had experiances with his kindness and compassion.
"helping children love and become lovable, and showing them by example can truely lead to world peace" Fred Rogers

[ghthomason]

I don't think merely being a nice guy qualifies one for Buddha-hood.

[GeneChing]

Actually Fred Rogers was very spiritual and Christian. He spent every morning in quiet meditation, then swam for exercise. I wouldn't go so far as calling him a Buddha, but I might say he was very far on the path. Maybe a Boddhisattva ;)

I caught this fantastic interview with him on PBS last night. I was blown away by his wisdom.

[Former castleva]

As far as I can imagine,it would seem he could not have cared less if he was considered bright in Indian terms,so to speak but to actually do well is what can objectively be seen as worthy.

[joedoe]

So are we going to start using the term 'Buddha' as loosely as we use the term 'sifu' now? :)

[Former castleva]

Take it easy. :D

We will not be pointing out tones or anything anyways.

[Jabb]

Being nice and wise doesn't mean someone is a buddha, it takes more than that. You have to see and understand the true nature of your mind and the universe. You have to see and understand the oneness between everything and forget dualism and your "self", that is, your ego.

Altho enlightenment has 5 different levels, being merely kind and wise doesn't mean you're at any of them.

[Former castleva]

Being in harmony with the universe is one of those things one cannot measure? A bit like being in between of yin/yang or about anything to that direction.
Thus as they say,to reach for some rather poorly defined state of greatness is slightly obscure.
Maybe someone can hand out a rank :) since it is also bizarre to pop out and talk about how enlightened one is (such questions make me curious)
To forget about one´s self could be done with a surgery though...
I think I´ll quit for now lol.
It is likely that Roger´s work talks for itself,after all.

[Jabb]

Originally posted by Former castleva
Being in harmony with the universe is one of those things one cannot measure? A bit like being in between of yin/yang or about anything to that direction.
Thus as they say,to reach for some rather poorly defined state of greatness is slightly obscure.
Maybe someone can hand out a rank :) since it is also bizarre to pop out and talk about how enlightened one is (such questions make me curious)
To forget about one´s self could be done with a surgery though...
I think I´ll quit for now lol.
It is likely that Roger´s work talks for itself,after all.
Well, I didn't "Invent" what I said, I took the text, aswell as your "ranks", from different zen masters. It has been said: "theres 5 stages of enlightenment (and explenation about the different stages)" and "to understand ones true nature, is being a buddha"

So don't judge me before you judge the zen masters :)

[Former castleva]

lol I am not judging you bud.My apologies if I did.
I´m just expressing my thoughts for some "in-depth" idea,out of curiosity (even though it is hard on the cat :) )

What strikes me nice though,is the idea about actually rather down to earth type of living,which may not always seem too visible while studying the anecdotes.

[GeneChing]

You don't have to be Buddhist to see the wisdom and beauty of Fred Roger's life's work. He certainly seemed self actualized and his compassion was extraordinary. Any Buddhist would endorse his practice.

If anything, this thread might raise an interesting aspect of Buddhism and that is that it's not very good with kids. Buddhism began as a discipline for monks. Buddha ran out on his kid (but you can't call him a deadbeat dad since saving the world from all suffering was pretty good alimony ;) .) As lay Buddhism has grown, Buddhism had had to accomodate famly practice. This is where family-based Christianity takes the lead. Mr. Rogers was a devout Christian. Ultimately Christianity and Buddhism seek goodness, and the goodness of Mr. Rogers transcends religious doctrine, as does any high level spirituality.

[Former castleva]

"and the goodness of Mr. Rogers transcends religious doctrine, as does any high level spirituality."

This is a nice point,one that should be brought up frequently.

[David Jamieson]

The Ch'an perspective.

Mr.Rogers was.


cheers

[HuangKaiVun]

Mr. Rogers extended the joy of living outwards into the world.

Being nice and wise doesn't mean squat unless you DO something with it - which is what Mr. Rogers did. His television show inspired people everywhere.

In his own way, a Buddha.

[joedoe]

I'm a Buddha too then :D

[HuangKaiVun]

In your own way, yes.

I'm being serious here.

[joedoe]

Well, I am fat and I laugh a lot, so I guess I could be the laughing Buddha :D

Seriously, I understand that we all have the potential to be a Buddha, but I think we have a tendency to be too free with awarding titles (too many sifus & sigung around :)). While I accept that I have the potential, I know that I am a long way from achieving enlightenment.

[prana]

joedoe,

you're also a smelly Buddha ! :D

All sentient beings are, just some wear more clothes than others.

KL, a ch'an twist :D

Mr Rogers, where is ?

ok ok, I'm gonna get banned soon if I carry on

[GeneChing]

...we all have Buddha potential - every sentient being does. But that doesn't mean we've acheived that potential yet. As for Mr. Rogers, there are many other Buddhist analogies that might be more appropriate like a bodhisattva or something, but he was a heavy Christian, so it's sort of like defining a pear like a 'funny shaped apple." Don't get too caught up in the terminology - it's not very Chan. Dear Mr. Rogers was a good man. Leave it at that.

As for jd's title thing, did you know that in mandarin, the term "shifu" can be used as nickname for anyone who provides an authoritative service - like your taxicab driver? I agree that CMA gets pretty bogged down with all of it's titles, but sometimes we sanctify those titles too highly as well.

[prana]

with all due respect Gene,

It's not like me to pick with fine prints, but potential "may" imply 'not borned with', whereas, maybe buried potential is more accurate.

My apologies, picking words are not wise....

[joedoe]

Originally posted by GeneChing
...we all have Buddha potential - every sentient being does. But that doesn't mean we've acheived that potential yet. As for Mr. Rogers, there are many other Buddhist analogies that might be more appropriate like a bodhisattva or something, but he was a heavy Christian, so it's sort of like defining a pear like a 'funny shaped apple." Don't get too caught up in the terminology - it's not very Chan. Dear Mr. Rogers was a good man. Leave it at that.

As for jd's title thing, did you know that in mandarin, the term "shifu" can be used as nickname for anyone who provides an authoritative service - like your taxicab driver? I agree that CMA gets pretty bogged down with all of it's titles, but sometimes we sanctify those titles too highly as well.

But a title is supposed to represent something, otherwise why do we bother with titles? I know that we often use titles jokingly or in levity, but when you seriously hand someone a title it should be representative of the esteem that you hold that person in.

I hold a Bachelor's degree in Economics. Does that mean that I have to right to call myself a Doctor of Economics? No. I have not earned that.

IMO, too many people in MA call themselves masters. Very few of them are truly deserving of the title. Similarly, to label someone a Buddha is fairly careless unless they truly have earned it.

[richard sloan]

...but everything has the buddha nature...