Posted on 06/14/2011 4:11:28 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
An unfinished Buddhist scripture dating to around 386 A.D. has been found engraved on a cave wall in China.
Archaeological workers discovered the scripture in northern China's Hebei province, Xinhua reported.
The scripture - named the Lotus Sutra - was found in a cave in Xiangtangshan region, an official said.
It is believed to have been created during the Northern Dynasties (386 to 581 A.D.), but was not finished, the official said.
'We'll probe into the reason why the work was halted,' he added.
The Xiangtangshan area includes 16 caves and over 450 cliffside sculptures. It came under state protection in 1961.
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Ran out of money. No money for a change order.
Its difficult to adore a MAN who abandoned his wife and children because he suddenly became enlightened, so I really do not care what buddha says or what is discovered or whatever.
Buddha did not abandon his wife and children (all royalty) - he had promised to return - and lamented over that separation that would result from his taking up the quest. Upon his return, they were among his first disciples - an unlikely feat if they really bore anger towards him for "abandoning" them. A similar argument could be said of Christopher Columbus, too, who left family (who did not have any equivalent royal protection) to go beyond the "edge of the world".
"For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. He that loveth his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me."
- Matthew 10:35-37
Tigerseye can probably elaborate better.
I’ve heard that complaint before. As if attaining ultimate enlightenment was less important. I couldn’t feel too sorry for his wife and children though being left in the care of his father who was the king. They were the most favored royals in a very rich kingdom. Which they also willingly abandoned to become his disciples after he attained Buddhahood.
Mark 33:32-34 also comes to mind.
Hence Lotus Sutra and not Kama Sutra.
The cave went on to another via means of a ‘short sale’. Original cave owner overindulged in meditation.
Probably they should check nearby caves for the Kama Sutra, that’s where the Lotus Sutra people wound up.
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