All Questions
8,010
questions
2
votes
1
answer
22
views
Where does the Buddha say, There is no happiness without calm?
Where in the canon does the Buddha say, There is no happiness without calm?
I've heard the statement only second hand, and paraphrased.
0
votes
0
answers
18
views
English Translations of Commentary
Where are the English Translations of Commentary?
Have all of them translated in to English?
- 125
0
votes
1
answer
19
views
Kalama Sutta only about Kilesas?
I found an explanation of Kalama Sutta in a website which is said to be from a Tipitaka teacher in Sri Lanka. Is Kalama Sutta only about Kilesas?
Kālāma sutta is only to be applied for Lobha-dosa-...
- 125
0
votes
0
answers
10
views
What are the "Four Vinayas"?
The Mahāpadesa Sutta describes about the "Four Great Authorities (Mahāpadesas)" that a disciple should refer, if any one claims some new thing to be the word of the Budhha.
Mahāpadesa Sutta ...
- 125
-4
votes
1
answer
34
views
Are "Concepts about Real" Concepts?
In Theravada, the Concepts are considered unreal ("person", "chariot" etc.). Then what about the "Concepts about Real" ("red", "perception")? Are they ...
- 125
0
votes
2
answers
29
views
Why are Concepts not Impermanent?
Why are Concepts not Impermanent? I found the below explanation in another forum. Are they Permanent? or not both?
Conventional reality (sammuti sacca/ pannatti) is just a concept and
not real. Non-...
- 125
-2
votes
1
answer
26
views
If the Tathagata exists after death, is there anyone to witness it?
This is different from asking, "does the Tathagata exist after death? or not? or both? or neither?"
- 1
2
votes
1
answer
23
views
Where is the most knowledgeable Abhidhamma Community?
Who are the most knowledgeable Abhidhamma masters today? Where are the active Abhidhamma communities?
country
lineage
monastery
institute
teacher
group
website
forum
- 125
0
votes
0
answers
14
views
Why Buddhanussati practitioners seem so special?
Hardly a person practice Buddhanussati well. Yet those rare people seem very virtuous, wise and faithful than many others. I have seen few of them. What is the reason behind them to be so special and ...
- 125
0
votes
4
answers
64
views
Advice from Devadatta
When given advice by Devadatta (or a Devadatta-like person), should that person be ridiculed as a Buddha (i.e. the Buddha that he pretends to be), or as what he is behind the mask? Or both?
When a ...
- 273
1
vote
2
answers
30
views
Why didn't the Buddha mention about the omniscience of "future of other beings", in suttas?
In many suttas, the Buddha affirms his omniscience about the past of all the beings.
Why didn't the Buddha say something about his omniscience about the future of all the beings, in suttas?
- 125
2
votes
5
answers
82
views
Waiting vs Acting?
What does Buddhism say about waiting vs acting?
For some context, I quit my corporate job a year ago because it felt so much against my skin to be working for aggressive profit. Since then I have ...
- 121
0
votes
1
answer
29
views
+50
What did Vasubandhu and Asanga say regarding Nagarjunacharya?
Given that Vasubandhu and Asanga came after Nagarjunacharya, who was a proponent of a major Buddhist school with a different philosophy. Did they or thier students like Dignaga say anything about ...
- 51
3
votes
6
answers
88
views
Civilization based on the teachings of Buddha
Would a civilization based on the teachings of Buddha ever had a need for military force? It is said in Metta Sutta that one who practices metta is free from dangers of fire, poison and weapons. Is ...
1
vote
5
answers
77
views
Can I adapt Buddha’s teachings into science?
Science is not part of Buddhas teachings but the teachings of Buddha can be adapted into science.
For example : sabbe sanskara annica can be adopted by science (physics especially)
This will translate ...
- 3,933
0
votes
4
answers
59
views
Is secular Buddhism a religion?
I would like to know if the secular buddhism could be considered a religion. I have started to study about it a while ago and I think it's make much sense to me, could I consider me a buddhist, even ...
- 103
1
vote
3
answers
71
views
Did the Buddha ever say, "I don't know"?
The fourth precept says we should be truthful. I think this means it's virtuous to truthfully admit to uncertainty when you don't know an answer, instead of pretending you do know or evading the ...
- 111
1
vote
1
answer
51
views
How to achieve stream entry in this very life?
What fetters must be destroyed in order to reach the state of stream entry?
Is it possible to reach the state of stream entry in this very life?
Do I need to renounce worldly life in order to reach ...
1
vote
3
answers
67
views
Was this world built by mistake?
Buddha does not deny God. He simply refuses to be any God because all Gods are impermanent… that is they take birth, age and then die … which is painful. Or source of sorrow.
My question is :Was this ...
- 3,933
0
votes
1
answer
32
views
Harsh speech and insanity
I am often harsh, though I don't think hurtful, in speech about others, because of my schizophrenia and psychosis. I often believe they are up to no good and need to be stopped verbally from doing ...
- 494
-1
votes
2
answers
29
views
What occurs now, and does it have any mental qualities?
What occurs now, and does it have any mental qualities? I'm asking because I have it some philosophical authority that rebirth is of events that are "bounded" and so cannot occur now. This ...
- 494
1
vote
3
answers
49
views
Selling and use Dhamma as advertising
It's very common in South East Asia today that business people try to socialize with potential customers by appearing or pretending as Dhamma-teacher or Dhamma-friend.
Most meetings around the Gems ...
- 11
1
vote
0
answers
13
views
Did any East Asian scholars do any work on Buddhist logic and epistemology?
Did any Chinese, Japanese, Korean, or Vietnamese Buddhists write about Buddhist logic in the tradition of Vasubandhu, Dignaga, and Dharmakirti? What were their contributions to logic and epistemology?
- 11
0
votes
3
answers
24
views
What is difference between anapanasati and kāyagatā Sati?
I am seeing a pattern between MN118 and MN119.. That says something about kayagat sati..
- 685
0
votes
4
answers
38
views
Which is more important - right of individual or the greater good?
The topic is really the question. In Buddhism, which is regarded as more important, the right of an individual or the greater good? Perhaps there is no distinction made, I don't know.
Or does it ...
- 101
4
votes
3
answers
697
views
How do we know 'Buddha says?'
I think I correctly assume this Buddhism site is (appropriately) open to many, if not all, forms of Buddhism(?) However, when folks say things like “Buddha said” I often wonder what to make of this....
2
votes
2
answers
88
views
If that which is aware of fear is not fearful then isn't that which is aware of happiness not happy?
It seems clear to me that that which is aware of sadness, anger, or anxiety is not sad, angry, or anxious. But shouldn't this work the other way as well? Wouldn't this mean that that which is aware of ...
- 21
3
votes
6
answers
141
views
Does it matter if there is rebirth?
And, finallyI am new here, 72-years-old, interested in Buddhism and have engaged in Buddhist practices since age 18-years. Over I the years, I have been to a handful of Zen retreats, where I met with ...
2
votes
2
answers
34
views
Source for bodhisattva transforming hell?
I vaguely remember reading how some bodhisattva out of compassion went to some hell and then transformed it into a pure land. Does anyone know that story? About which bodhisattva it is? And what's the ...
- 101
3
votes
1
answer
49
views
Is it ok to become a monk?
I called All India Bhikkhu Sangha to know whether I can be trained as a monk… ? The person I called said that world has progressed a lot and it is not a wise thing to leave family behind. He said give ...
- 3,933
2
votes
1
answer
23
views
Can someone help me find where these suttas are from in the Tipitaka?
First text screenshot says MLD. 131. Where is that from?
Second text screenshot says M. 19. Where is that from?
Screenshots are taken from Ven. Dhammajivas book called Mahasi Insight Meditation.
- 280
-1
votes
1
answer
35
views
How Lord Buddha did sermon for the people who was long distance
If my memory is correct, Lord Buddha did a sermon for the long-distance people. It is mentioned that Lord Budha can do a sermon even for someone in another solar system. How is it possible? Because to ...
1
vote
1
answer
19
views
Posture for meditation
Is cross-legged sitting better than chair sitting for meditation. If yes why ?
What is the reason to keep ur back straight during meditation?
- 140
2
votes
1
answer
46
views
Plato's understanding of passion
What would Buddhists say in response to the statement by Plato in The Republic Book IV:
And are there not many other cases in which we observe that when a
man's desires violently prevail over his ...
- 337
0
votes
2
answers
59
views
Is it important to have a traditional understanding of Buddhism?
Is it important to have a traditional understanding of Buddhism or is avoiding so called "heresies" enough to make sure you are not distorting, undermining etc., the dharma?
Take the idea of ...
- 494
0
votes
1
answer
29
views
How can I become a monk in India?
I am a lay person and I am from India. I wish to become a monk.
Other option before me is to go in search of Truth and reinvent the wheel and find enlightenment myself. But there is no place to go. ...
- 3,933
0
votes
0
answers
42
views
How to apply Eight-fold path[Aaryashtangika marga] to each virtue action as a Vipassana Meditation? [duplicate]
How to apply eight fold path to the wholesome act as meditation of three marks of existence (Pali: tilakkhaṇa) of all existence and beings, namely impermanence (aniccā), non-self (anattā) and ...
- 144
2
votes
4
answers
105
views
Becoming a monk and having to give up electronic devices
When becoming a monk one has to give up most worldly stuff. I have saved hundreds of Buddhist PDF files and on my Kindle app I have bought all of Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhis books (translations on the Pali ...
- 280
1
vote
0
answers
20
views
Is this the meaning of one practice samadhi in the fukanzazengi?
Is this the meaning of one practice samadhi in the fukanzazengi (sorry for the convoluted language, it may be unncessary)?
stop labelling thoughts / consciousness / anything
Two points
I was ...
- 494
2
votes
2
answers
50
views
Need help with ordination questions
I'm a westerner, non-thai speaker, age 37. I want to ordain in Asia (not in the West) and then stay there for 5 years with a preceptor and then either continue to stay there or move back to Europe and ...
- 280
2
votes
1
answer
54
views
Ven. Ajahn Chah's Teachings on Meditation practice as a western
For a long time I have wanted to ordain and I might be able to do it in 2-3 years from now. I read that as a westerner one can ordain in the Ven. Ajahn Chah tradition in Thailand. He went to great ...
- 280
2
votes
3
answers
78
views
Buddha saying he doesn't have to follow all the rules?
In which sutta does the Buddha state that he does not have to follow all the monastic rules and austerities closely because he is already liberated and free, as an arahant?
I remember reading this ...
- 34.3k
2
votes
3
answers
380
views
The invariant law of nature which forms the basis of Buddha's Dharma and existence of universe itself
I am rereading this answer and I am confused by the quote:
when this exists - that exists. Arising of this leads to arising of that. When this doesn't exist - that doesn't exist. Cessation of this ...
0
votes
0
answers
26
views
Chinese version Buddhism Q&A or Forum
Any Chinese version as title above to recommend for someone to ask question as limited ability to read and write English.
- 81
1
vote
2
answers
40
views
Looking for Dhammapada in Ebook format
I'm looking for a collection of the entire Dhammapada in Ebook format (not PDF-format) that can be read in the Kindle App. Free or paid.
I've been looking myself without finding anything. Maybe ...
- 280
1
vote
1
answer
31
views
Sutta request: One should be fed before being able to listen to a Dhamma talk
The following quote can be found at this link:
On the farmer's arrival the Buddha ordered that some food should be given him, and when the man was comforted and his mind was ready the Buddha preached ...
- 280
3
votes
1
answer
42
views
Find Sutta: eat first before hearing the teaching
Trying to find the Sutta where Buddha says for some person who has come to hear him teaching something like give him to eat first, and then he can hear my teaching. There was some setup I dont ...
- 101
3
votes
1
answer
39
views
What is the source of this information about "underground serpents"?
I've seen this glossary entry in a couple of places:
Hīnayāna: “Inferior Vehicle,” a pejorative term, coined by a group who called themselves followers of the Mahāyāna, the “Great Vehicle,” to denote ...
1
vote
1
answer
35
views
Enlightened beings (Amitabha, Padmasambhava) created mantras so that people chanting them can gradually 'mould' their mindstream to a similar state
This is how I understand it and I'd like some clarity on where I'm right/wrong.
Rebirth/the next birth happens when the mindstream, attracted to particular situations because of its mental imprints , '...
- 498
0
votes
2
answers
41
views
How does Buddhism relate to other religions? [duplicate]
Can you be a Buddhist and believe in another religion at the same time?
- 1