All Questions
8,383
questions
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Did the Buddha ever say that anything follows from a contradiction?
Is there any sutta in the Pali canon where the Buddha explicitly says or implies that everything follows if we admit a contradiction? I'm looking for any sutta where the Buddha used what is commonly ...
- 4,700
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0
answers
11
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Buddha's Teachings on Life's Purpose and Existence
I have been ruminating about some existential questions...."what is purpose of life"...."is there a creator"..."what is the best work for a mortal to undertake in their ...
- 1
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0
answers
34
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Sensing vs Knowing inhalation and exhalation in Anapana according to Goenka Tradition
I have been following Goenka tradition of vipassana for a few months now(one 10 day retreat and 5 months of daily practice). We are instructed to keep our attention below the nostrils and observe the ...
- 1
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0
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41
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Story in the texts that illustrate the convoluted nature of kamma and rebirth
There is one specific story that caught my attention long back, which details the account of a family in which the members were entangled by rebirth. Don't seem to recollect much, but I vaguely ...
- 186
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vote
2
answers
120
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Did Buddha acknowledge "reductio ad absurdum" argumentation & other apriori forms of reasoning in Buddhist logico-episteomology (looking for sources)?
It is well known that many Buddhist philosophers and scholars of various traditions, such as Nagarjuna and Chandrakirti rely on and acknowledge reductio ad absurdum as a method of positing arguments ...
- 111
1
vote
3
answers
79
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Do anesthesiologists (and doctors in general) earn merit
Do doctors earn merit on a regular basis as a result of their good acts of treating and curing illnesses of their patients? Is their profession an excellent one because of their chance to earn merit?
- 186
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vote
2
answers
65
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Is Nibbana an asankhara?
There are three closely related words in Pali , namely, Sankhara, Sasankhara and asankhara.
They are mentioned in the following sutta :
==============
“Bad, unskillful qualities, mendicants, arise ...
- 1,183
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votes
3
answers
81
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What is the precise analysis of SN 22.85 & SN 22.86?
SN 22.85 says:
“What do you think, friend Yamaka, do you regard form, feeling,
perception, volitional formations and consciousness taken together as
the Tathagata?”—
“No, friend.”
“If, friend Yamaka,...
- 40.5k
4
votes
4
answers
744
views
Is there a circular reasoning in origin of consciousness?
Dependent Origination says, given the consciousness, name and form arises.
But in SN12.65 it says name-form is condition for consciousness:
When consciousness exists there are name and form. ...
- 1,183
1
vote
1
answer
59
views
Is fire-making allowed?
Fire ceremonies are likely categorized as ‘rites and rituals’, but is/was the basic usage of fire for warmth prohibited by monastic rules?
- 1,159
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votes
2
answers
38
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Is cessation of feeling same as having no feeling?
In dependent origination , feelings arise due to contact. Craving results from feelings. Cessation of feeling is cessation of suffering.
Suppose consciousness is devoid of feelings , that is ,no ...
- 1,183
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vote
1
answer
47
views
How can feelings describe name and form if feelings come after name and form
In dependent origination name and form is described as follows :
“And what, bhikkhus, is name-and-form? Feeling, perception, volition,
contact, attention: this is called name. The four great elements ...
- 1,183
0
votes
1
answer
59
views
Is it ever said in the Pali Canon that Nirvana cannot be attained?
Is there any sutta in the Pali Canon which describes the supramundane view that Nibbana cannot be attained?
I'm looking for a verse or quote from the Pali Canon which describes Nibbana as unattainable ...
- 4,700
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vote
2
answers
177
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What is the Sanskrit root word for “ viññāṇa”?
In dependent origination , the word “ viññāṇa” arises and it is translated as consciousness. I am not satisfied and I guess some other members of this site are also not satisfied because then the ...
- 1,183
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vote
4
answers
123
views
Do we indulge in ignorance?
This question arises from this previous post. The questioner seems perplexed that a person should suffer for not knowing or possessing certain knowledge i.e. simply for being unaware. While there is ...
- 787
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2
answers
61
views
How do we hear the sound of our thoughts?
Quick question. How do we hear the sound of our own thought? I assume ear-consciousness but without the contact of internal-external bases? Is this right?
- 1,159
-2
votes
4
answers
141
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Does Early Buddhism affirm mainstream orthodox ideologies?
I read the following on the internet by an independent (Australian) bhikkhu:
Oppositional framing is cringe
You know it when you see it. “Everyone else says that … but I say this”.
Which is ...
- 40.5k
1
vote
1
answer
43
views
+50
In which sutta does Buddha say roughly '..and that would bring me sorrow[sad]?
I recall regarding a sutta awhile back of an encounter between Buddha and some wandering ascetic (not Bahiya). in that, the ascetic might have been too old or whatever, and buddha discourages him and ...
- 1,159
1
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1
answer
51
views
How to get rid of Ignorance?
According to dependent origination , ignorance is at the root of suffering.
What are the various ways in which we can get rid of ignorance?
- 1,183
-1
votes
0
answers
20
views
Difference between rahat and maha rahat
This is more directed to someone who understands Sinhalese.
Is there difference between Rahath and Maha rahath? Is it interchangeable?
In the texts some places it says rahath and in some places it ...
- 99
2
votes
4
answers
185
views
Why is a world with less negative (unwholesome) qualities better?
Buddhism encourages people to get rid of certain negative qualities like anger, hatred, jealousy, selfishness.
But, considering an evolutionary perspective we couldn't completely tell what role they ...
- 29
2
votes
1
answer
118
views
Can equanimity overcome physical pain?
I saw this scientific article -- Learning to Accept Discomfort Could Help You Thrive -- on overcoming pain, discomfort and negative emotions. There is one part in the article which seems incredible:
...
- 787
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votes
1
answer
32
views
Urge to open eyes
When I meditate after about 45 minutes I start to get this strong urge to finish and open my eyes. I use a timer and after a while I start to feel time dragging and wishing the bell would hurry up. I'...
- 287
3
votes
3
answers
142
views
What is meant by giving up the teachings?
Buddha says
So you should train like this: ‘I will not tell a lie, even for a
joke.’ Tasmātiha te, rāhula, ‘hassāpi na musā bhaṇissāmī’ti
Dhamma as taught by Buddha is not a lie therefore one should ...
- 1,183
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votes
2
answers
40
views
Is it true that no phenomena can be ubiquitous?
Sabbe Sankhara Anicca means all conditioned phenomena are impermanent.
However , I was thinking whether any phenomena can be present everywhere even for a short span of time ?
In other words I think , ...
- 1,183
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votes
3
answers
93
views
Where/how do Snp 5.7 & 15 prove kāya in meditation context is rūpa-kāya by default?
I read the following in this answer:
Snp 5 is a great example in usage that proves kāya in meditation
context is rūpa-kāya by default.
https://notesonthedhamma.blogspot.com/2021/10/kn-snp-5-buddha-...
- 40.5k
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votes
1
answer
22
views
Are the meanings of conditions and combination the same?
Anything which is a result of combination can be called conditional.
But is the opposite also true ?
That is anything which is conditional must be a result of combination.
For example - If there is a ...
- 1,183
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votes
3
answers
70
views
Meditation question
When I meditate after maybe 30 minutes I notice a shift and the meditation feels like suddenly not as much or no effort is required. It’s a nice calm feeling. Thoughts are almost non existent. Usually ...
- 497
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1
answer
23
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Does “Sabbe Dhamma Anatta “ exclude Adhamma?
Adhamma word is used at few places in the Suttas. Adhamma is opposite of Dhamma. If Dhamma means Right then Adhamma means Wrong.
There is a characteristic of existence: Sabbe Dhamma Anatta.
Can I say “...
- 1,183
2
votes
3
answers
264
views
Is there anything called as Adhamma in the Suttas?
I asked a question which indirectly asked about Adhamma. However there was no direct refutation of Adhamma.
So , I had to ask this question directly: Is there anything called as Adhamma in the Suttas ?...
- 1,183
2
votes
3
answers
497
views
If I gift money to somebody then am I doing Adhamma?
Sabbe Dhamma Anatta says
Form is not me , mine or myself.Feeling is not me , mine or myself .Perception is not me , mine or myself.Choices is not me , mine or myself.Consciousness is not me , mine or ...
- 1,183
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votes
1
answer
40
views
Does the process of conditioning affect the conditioners?
We are conditioned beings. Process of conditioning begins at a very early age and continues till we die.
My question is : Does the process of conditioning affect the conditioner ?
- 1,183
1
vote
2
answers
44
views
History of Mumonkan versus Blue Cliff Record
I've been looking around online for an answer to this question, but have come up empty handed. My understanding of The Blue Cliff Record is that it's a collection of famous cases compiled from the ...
- 358
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2
answers
87
views
Is Anatta a phenomenon?
Sabbe Dhamma Anatta. It means all conditioned and unconditioned phenomena are not-self.
Is not-self or Anatta a phenomenon?
- 1,183
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2
answers
63
views
In what way[s] does Buddhist doctrine agree with or contradict Anekāntavāda?
What do Buddhists - modern day and historical - think of Anekāntavāda? There is this cryptic remark by Dharmakirti:
With the differentiation removed, all things have dual nature. Then,
if somebody ...
- 1,159
1
vote
1
answer
173
views
Why is the Buddha called "Kinsman of the Sun"?
In some suttas like SN 22.95 and Snp 4.14, the Buddha is called the Kinsman of the Sun (ādiccabandhu).
Why is he called the Kinsman of the Sun?
What is the origin of the term?
- 37.4k
1
vote
4
answers
999
views
Buddhist attitude(s) towards failures in life
Perhaps for the enlightened ones, those on the path to enlightenment and those aiming for higher goals, worldly pursuits are not issues of concern. But they are important to many ordinary folks.
What ...
- 787
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votes
2
answers
49
views
How old were the 500 arhats when they became arhats?
How old were each (or several) of the Buddha's students when they became arhats? I know Buddha was 35. I researched so far by Googling it and also by looking into Sariputra's life and also trying to ...
1
vote
4
answers
179
views
What is the proper translation of 'sabbe saṅkhārā aniccā'?
In this excellent answer giving an in depth explanation of the various uses of sankhata in various suttas, the first usage is explained as 'conditioned things' based upon the famous phrase, "...
- 4,700
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votes
1
answer
52
views
What is a "standalone sankhara" vs " composite phenomena"?
I read the concepts of "standalone sankhara" vs " composite phenomena" on the internet.
Do these two concepts have any basis in any school/s of Buddhism? If so, which one/ones?
- 40.5k
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votes
5
answers
95
views
Does AN 3.47 refer to only single standalone sankhara?
This question concerns the proper understanding of AN 3.47:
“Mendicants, conditioned phenomena have these three characteristics. What three? Arising is evident, vanishing is evident, and change while ...
- 4,700
-2
votes
4
answers
108
views
Is the arising of a sentient being evident or not?
The setup ...
Mendicants, conditioned phenomena have these three characteristics. What three? Arising is evident, vanishing is evident, and change while persisting is evident. These are the three ...
- 4,700
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29
views
What is the meaning of suchness? [duplicate]
We can contemplate on the suchness , thisness and thusness…(I have seen some members of the site use the word “suchness” often)
What is the meaning of suchness as against the meaning of thisness and ...
- 1,183
2
votes
5
answers
150
views
Is a circle a form?
Nobody has ever seen a circle. Yet we all say "that is a circle" and nod in agreement. But when we say that the top of a bottle is a circle, we see the bottle top, not really the circle. The ...
- 9,336
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vote
8
answers
273
views
Is there a real contradiction between AN 3.47 and SN 15.9?
The setup ...
Mendicants, conditioned phenomena have these three characteristics. What three? Arising is evident, vanishing is evident, and change while persisting is evident. These are the three ...
- 4,700
1
vote
6
answers
2k
views
Is the reverse of “Everything which has a beginning must have an end.” also true?
When we see with an eye of Dhamma , we realise that that which has a beginning must have an end because birth is conditional. (I am using Bhikkhu Sujata’s translation of SN 35.74)
If we reverse the ...
- 1,183
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44
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Do the Pali suttas refer to unwholesome gift benefactors?
I was browsing a new set of Sutta translations by a renowned translator, and happened to read the publisher wrote a special acknowledgement towards a certain charitable foundation that was established ...
- 40.5k
2
votes
4
answers
146
views
Feeling a strong connection to Buddhism, but feeling lost on how to continue forwards
Good Morning,
Recently I have been soul-searching and looking for a missing spiritual aspect of my life. I have been reading Introduction to Buddhism by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. After reading part one of ...
0
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2
answers
71
views
How many types of conditions are there?
In Buddhist teachings, phenomena are said to be conditioned and impermanent. Could you explain the various types of conditions that are recognized in Buddhism, and how they contribute to the cycle of ...
- 1,183
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2
answers
65
views
Did my brother committed shedding the blood of Buddha sin?
Im too anxious,in the past my brother play football he kicked the ball to Guanyin statue i don't know he is intent or not did he committed shedding the blood of Buddha sin? the statue did not break
