[Buddha-l] Buddhist scriptural literalism

[Stefan Detrez]

L.S.,

do you know if there exists a tradition in the Buddhisms claiming literal
readings are the only correct ones? Does it state, for instance, that the
Buddha's temptation by Mara should be considered as an historical fact? Or
that the Jataka-stories give 'factual' information on the Buddha's lives? Or
Maya's zoophilia?

I can imagine some people within Sinhalese Buddhism prefer to read the
Mahavastu in such way that its monocultural aspirations appear justified.
Any other 'applications' of literalist readings, perhaps, non-nationalist?

Thank you,

Stefan
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