All Questions
8,120
questions
0
votes
2
answers
49
views
a reason for long-lasting defilements
Some other asker had said something like ‘trapped in defilement’. I thought it was interesting b/c I feel that way a lot. Can karma (results) have a long-lasting defiling quality? Or is this just an ...
- 555
-2
votes
2
answers
57
views
can MN.43 be my alibi?
“Friend, these five faculties—each with a separate range, a separate domain, not experiencing one another’s range & domain: the eye-faculty, the ear-faculty, the nose-faculty, the tongue-faculty, &...
- 555
3
votes
3
answers
128
views
Do all Dhamma teachings aim us at release?
I read the statement recently that all Dhamma teachings aim to produce disenchantment, for the purpose of release / unbinding.
Any thoughts on this subject are welcome, but my question is: Which ...
- 693
-1
votes
3
answers
72
views
Are gross objects like hallucinations or is even their presence an illusion?
Are gross objects like hallucinations or is even their presence an illusion?
Take e.g. my living room. Is it a hallucination or, given that when it is seen not to exist even the mind that perceives it ...
0
votes
1
answer
33
views
Couples should couples refrain from sex on first day of New Years
My fiancé in VN tells me couples must refrain from sex on first day of new year. I have not found anything supporting this claim. Where do I find more information about no sex on day one new year.
- 1
0
votes
0
answers
27
views
Completion of paramitas
Is it possible to complete all paramitas without physically doing anything?
If so, then how & where is it mentioned in tipitaka?
In previous birth, while bowing down to dipankara, Gautama thought ...
- 21
3
votes
1
answer
62
views
Are you familiar with a particular AN or SN sutta on bowing?
There is a sutta AN or SN, I believe, I read months ago that discussed about a kingsman who wanted to give respect to the Buddha by bowing but couldn't because he would lose a good job, family, and ...
- 61
4
votes
1
answer
50
views
My parents want me to get married, should I honor their request if I'm not interested in marriage?
I come from a culture where marriage is seen as a must. Both of my parents are good parents, they never harm me in anyway, took a very good care of me. I am now almost 30 and they really want me to ...
3
votes
4
answers
93
views
Is the Tipitaka considered infallible in Theravada Buddhism?
Would most Theravada monks consider the Tipitaka infallible?
For example, would most agree with these statements?
All Scripture is... useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in ...
1
vote
3
answers
73
views
Does the other-dependent nature exist whether or not anything arises?
I am trying to work out if the other-dependent nature exists independent of anything that has the other-dependent nature
Vasubandhu’s Treatise on the Three Natures – A Translation and Commentary
...
- 11
4
votes
5
answers
162
views
I don't understand bodhicitta
I have difficulty with the notion of bodhicitta and the concept of Boddhisattva, and the difference with the concept of Buddha. If I understand correctly, the idea is to have an altruistic intention ...
- 808
1
vote
4
answers
101
views
length vs number of times of meditation
Is doing 10 min meditation 6 times same as doing 1 hour meditation? Or is doing 30 mins 4 times same as 2 hour meditation ?
- 150
2
votes
3
answers
83
views
Why do Buddhists believe in fundamental ignorance?
Why do Buddhists believe in fundamental ignorance?
Is it inferred, or seen / intuited by meditators? I assume it is empty - and in what way up for debate - but does that mean it is exists inside us / ...
- 21
1
vote
2
answers
69
views
Meditation focus points and their ill effects
During meditation in past, it was observed that if focus is maintained on nostrils, tip of nose and center of forehead(between eyebrows) then it causes cold and cough within 2-3 days of such practice.
...
- 21
2
votes
3
answers
349
views
Looking for a quote by the Buddha
In what sutta did the Buddha say: "Don't let the moment pass you by"?
Thanks.
- 319
1
vote
3
answers
67
views
Reducing "suffering" without Buddhist meditation?
If I remember correctly, there are three types of suffering in early Buddhism
ordinary
from change
from conditioning
To prevent ordinary physical and mental suffering, we can avoid certain evils. ...
- 13
0
votes
0
answers
27
views
World of being, inside vs outside
What is the world of being outside
body ?
Can it be said that, "a world of being revolves around being itself"?
When it's said that whatever inside is outside, is this statement pertaining ...
- 21
1
vote
2
answers
90
views
💚Did the Buddha cover colorblindness in his teachings?
Is "Racial color blindness" covered in the Buddha's teaching? What would be the closest Buddhist concept that covers it? Is there a scripture that teaches colorblindness?
Could it have ...
- 6,879
0
votes
0
answers
31
views
What particular individuals have experienced Nibbana? [duplicate]
Please answer without reciting suttas. I hear often it said that one will neither confirm nor deny if they have. If you haven't experienced it why would you not just say you haven't? It seems ...
- 11
0
votes
0
answers
35
views
Heart, mind, brain domination
What is effect of heart on mind in reality?
Is it the effect due to coziness felt across the walls of heart (similar to the one felt by a child sitting in the parent's lap) leading to the change in ...
- 21
0
votes
0
answers
37
views
Who is the artist that painted the '9 Stages of Samatha Meditation' painting?
The following Tibetan Buddhist (thangka) painting is a visual representation of the 9 Stages (~11 stages) of Samatha meditation. Who painted it?
- 1
2
votes
3
answers
437
views
Aren't ahirika and kukkucca contradictory defilements?
If I'm understanding correctly, kukkucca refers to the lack of guilt in the face of wrongdoing and ahirika translates to remorse or guilt. If that is the case, when someone does something bad he's ...
- 23
0
votes
0
answers
31
views
Side effect of audio
How exactly, if can be defined exactly otherwise in parts & pieces, hearing to audio effects one's brain during meditation?
For the organisms/living-beings not having brain, how would they be ...
- 21
0
votes
2
answers
102
views
💚Dialogue between the Buddhist and Christian traditions: Is Christianity actually Buddhism behind the semantics and interpretations?
"I feel there is tremendous convergence and a potential for mutual enrichment through dialogue between the Buddhist and Christian traditions, especially in the areas of ethics and spiritual ...
- 6,879
0
votes
2
answers
43
views
In sutta SN 40.9 and SN 41.7,what do they mean by "signless" immersion of the heart?
I'm still learning the Suttas to apply The Buddha's teachings to my life. I haven't read much about the jhanas (which I think the below is related to) so I ask.
What does it mean when The Buddha says ...
- 61
1
vote
2
answers
124
views
When was *sila* first interpreted/translated as ethics?
I am curious about the idea of calling sila (all precepts and vows) as ethics. When did this translation appeared? Or who interpreted sila as ethics or something similar to ethics? This is not to say ...
1
vote
5
answers
106
views
Ritual in buddhism (preferably theravada) for lay people
Perhaps ritual isnt the right word but hopefully I can explain. So I am attracted to orthodox Christianity and its culture but I dont believe any of it. I like its fasting ritual many of its holidays, ...
- 129
1
vote
1
answer
24
views
Conversions and former bad deeds
I have read that obedience to the five precepts at least guarantees that practitioners will not fall back into the lower worlds (animal world, wandering spirit world, and hell world) when they are ...
- 808
2
votes
0
answers
32
views
Reunion with the loved one after death and in next life
My spiritual bonding and connection are very strong with my lovely mother who has passed away. We both have tremendous love for each other.
Can we be reunited again in the next life? Can she be born ...
- 21
0
votes
3
answers
116
views
How can we know if a dharma teaching is really what the Buddha taught? Is there some sort of test?
It seems that there are different "versions" of Buddhism today, and many of the teachings from these different versions appear to be at odds with one another.
I'd like a way to tell which ...
- 693
2
votes
0
answers
43
views
Rolling a kasaya
I am trying to wear my kasaya while awaiting temporary ordination.
I have watched some videos but I seem to be getting stuck after finding the center point and rolling towards me. When I try to put my ...
- 21
1
vote
1
answer
130
views
Where did the Buddha say: "What a person considers and reflects upon for a long time, to that his mind will bend and incline."?
As the Buddha says, "What a person considers and reflects upon for a
long time, to that his mind will bend and incline."
The above quote is from Nyanaponika Thera, found here at Access to ...
- 693
-1
votes
1
answer
86
views
Is Buddhism imaginary? [duplicate]
I am sure that Buddhism and all its points are imaginary. Can you refute this? To be clear, the fabrications created by Buddha are purposeful and imaginary. He cannot win everything over to his side ...
- 555
0
votes
0
answers
18
views
what is difference between Loka, āyatan and kāya
In Chachak sutta there are 36 things, and many are referred as āyatan ,and rest are refered as kāya.
IN Satipatthan sutta again all above 36 are refered but here all are called Lokā
Moreover, at many ...
- 695
0
votes
1
answer
35
views
does buddha make dumb animal quote?
i can't remember, perhaps it was a dream, a vague recalling at best...where does buddha ask ‘do you want to be a dumb animal?’ I’m not accusing buddha of calling animals dumb, I’m assuming he thought ...
- 555
0
votes
3
answers
75
views
How do the Vijñāna (Vinyana) get created?
There are countless beings in the 31 realms of existence, and they all seem to have a Vijñāna, or a perception of "self".
When one becomes a stream winner (e.g. sotapanna), the view of this ...
1
vote
3
answers
97
views
Criticism of atman and the vessel analogy
Some Indian Hindu philosophers (AFAIK from the Vaisheshika school) argued for the existence of atman like this: ideas, feelings, desires and knowledge need a vessel in which they are contained. And ...
- 119
1
vote
5
answers
66
views
Is there any buddhist meditation technique to connect to Nature?
There is a theory that our planet might actually be alive. The sun, moon, atmospheric cycles, geological plates, etc constitute the life of our planet. Or for that matter the Universe actually might ...
- 2,238
1
vote
0
answers
16
views
Does Cakkavala correspond to a solar system? [duplicate]
I read the description of Cakkavala in the tipitaka, and it is translated to the term "world system". It is said there are infinite Cakkavala's and light rays emanating from its sun can ...
- 129
2
votes
2
answers
87
views
Do the 31 realms physically exist or is it a state of mind?
I know its an imponderable or unconjecturable to us putthujjanas, but do any of the 31 realms have corporeal existence or are they states of mind (mind-made) or a mixture of both? For example, does ...
- 129
1
vote
2
answers
95
views
is merit just ok (not great)?
In the sutra it says:
“And what is the cause by which effluents come into play? Ignorance is
the cause by which effluents come into play. … “And what is the result
of effluents? One who is immersed ...
- 555
1
vote
2
answers
75
views
Is thinking just measuring and comparing?
A few years ago, I listened to a dharma talk given by Ajahn Succito. In it, he said that we can think of the mind as having three aspects to it: awareness, feeling, and thinking (thinking includes ...
- 693
1
vote
1
answer
68
views
What do "contradictions" mean in Buddhist philosophy?
I read another answer here which discussed avoiding actions that lead to "contradictions" (such as lying, stealing), which are considered "evil". The answer was in response to ...
- 111
2
votes
4
answers
77
views
Reading your way to Nirvana?
Why is it difficult, if not impossible, to read your way to freedom from suffering(Nirvana)? What if you read the advanced Abhidhamma teachings? Is there such a thing as naturally occurring ...
- 6,879
8
votes
7
answers
1k
views
Where does morality come from in Buddhism?
I have a hypothetical question.
Let's say I don't believe in karma, reincarnation, or any deities of any sort. I also saw in some texts and videos that, to achieve higher awareness, I should not ...
3
votes
4
answers
181
views
What's the difference between having a view and clinging to a view?
The Buddha said that clinging is stress. Also, that there are four kinds of clinging: "Monks, there are these four clingings. Which four? Sensuality clinging, view clinging, habit-&-practice ...
- 693
3
votes
6
answers
207
views
What does Samsara mean to Buddhists? How is it meaningful?
The Buddhist way to see the Samsara, or the circle of life and death, is, according to my understanding:
Innumerable causes and effects.
Is this right?
Is there a special meaning conferred by this, to ...
- 519
0
votes
0
answers
26
views
what is Mahaggataṃ citam? is it related to out of body experience?
the typical translation of Mahaggataṃ citam is , exalted , or expanded mind?
and in MN 127...two types of cetovimutti described.
(1)mahaggatā cetovimutti (expanded freedom of mind)
it related to ...
- 695
0
votes
3
answers
77
views
Is there a distinction made in any Buddhist texts between Religion and Philosophy?
In western philosophy the distinction primarily goes like this:
Philosophy - The rational investigation of human reason.
Religion - Similar but has its basis in faith rather than 'rationality'.
What I ...
- 43
1
vote
1
answer
100
views
Clinging to perception aggregate
S 14.7 The Discourse on the Diversity of Perception says this:
Dependent on the mind-object element, there arises the perception of
mind-object; Dependent on the perception of mind-object, there ...
- 555