I am curious: In this vast universe, with as many star systems as the sands of the Ganges, do you think that Shakyamuni is the only Buddha that appears at this time? If so, do you think that Buddhism looks exactly the same as it does here on Earth in each of those places? I ask because you seem quite emphatic about there only being one Buddhadharma and that's the way it arose here on this planet at this particular time.Caz wrote: Certainly Modern Bon is very similar to some forms of Buddhism today but that still doesn't make its refuge worthy. As you know at every age of the turning of Dharma the Dharma of the previous age becomes extinct and is renewed again by the Tathagata in this case Shakyamuni Buddha so for one to suggest that there is a ancient Buddha who's Dharma has been preserved in the form of the Bon religion is nonsense. Buddhist Refuge comes from Buddha you cannot call yourself a Buddhist if your refuge is also placed within Bon as well that's taking eclecticism way to far.
Sure Padmasambhava may have acted skilfully and suppressed the more evil practices that existed within Bon at one point but even with A fully accomplished being such as Padmasambhava cannot produce a existent authentic refuge lineage from where there is none.
Surely, authentic lineage comes from the dharmakaya and not merely by dint of historical connection to a particular being.