Questions tagged [beginner]
Issues relevant to the newcomer to Buddhism such as basic meditation techniques, beginner texts or issues in practice.
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Am I "studying" too much and practicing too little?
I am new to practicing Buddhism. I was first introduced to it through reading "What The Buddha Taught" by Walpola Rahula. Since then I've begun practicing Ānāpānasati and zazen, as well as ...
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What is Buddhism (in a nutshell)?
I have been trying to think about Buddhism, Scientology and Gaia religions. They do not focus on a God but rather the eternal inner spirit and reincarnation. The best so far I have come up with is “...
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Body scan guided meditation that covers only the upper body?
I'm not certain if this is the right place to ask this question so let me know if I need to try a different forum.
Does anyone know of a guided body scan that only covers the upper body? My partner is ...
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Is it conventional to use third-person speech when conversing with a monk?
In this comment, Samana Johann wrote,
worthy to raise a question on it and it's perfect training to use only 3-person and no calling of names, adressing just proper positions
The topic is, using &...
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What do you wish you knew when you started down the path of buddhism?
This stack exchange actually lead me towards the path of finding a lama and becoming a Buddhist. Thank You!
This got me thinking, what would you tell sentient beings new to the path of Buddhism? Is ...
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How often do monks get nocturnal emissions?
I am practicing celibacy from last 6 months. I cannot control my nocturnal emissions. I have some control but not complete control. In the beginning I used to get wet dreams every 10-12 days and now I ...
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Can anyone follow Buddhism if the person has had drinks & ate non-veg in the past?
Can anyone follow a Buddhist life-style or philosophy even If the person has been violent or ate non-veg in the past or has drank wine.
If yes then what are the beginner steps?
user14995
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What religious texts would help me understand the fundamentals Buddhism better? [duplicate]
I was raised in an area where the usual answer to the question of what Buddhism is was "I don't know, hippy stuff", and any religion outside Christianity was considered "the work of Satan".
That said,...
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Beginner Buddhist Breathing?
Buddhists, I am told, value the practice of paying attention to breathing. I think I'm going to give it a try while I go about my day ... it can't hurt. What are the benefits? Are there beginner ...
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Setting foot in two different boats
First some introduction:
I am in my ending teen years and like a normal teen would aspire for success, I aspire for it too. But there is a catch... I don't want to get too lost into material world, ...
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Getting confused by various methods
I have been practicing meditation for quite a long time now and sadly I haven't entered any jhana(which I want to enter).
I think the reason for me not progressing is because I switch between methods ...
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Is Lineage vital?
Lineage is important to teaching by gurus and the succession of teaching because it helps ensure that the teaching is complete and intact, and that the teachers are sincere. One must be granted ...
user2341
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Buddhism 101? Any first steps one should take to begin their journey as a buddhist?
Good day to all! Total beginner here hoping not to bother. I was wondering if there are any suggested reads, talks, podcasts or videos one in my starter level should dive into to understand a bit more ...
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What does a normal person lose by following the path?
I have a person I know who, as far as I can say, has been intermittently long interested in Buddhism, but never made a big leap in her practice to achieve and cultivate bigger achievements. She is ...
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What is the concept of "Ego" or "self "?
What is the concept of "Ego" or "self "?
In buddhism there's concept called no self.Does is mean there's no "me" at all or does it mean that "me" cannot understood with out " you ".
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Starting Buddhism
I have two questions.
First, I grew up roman catholic, but now in my mid twenties, I am beginning to notice that a lot of my beliefs and actions don't align with Christianity so I started reading ...
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How to determine whether a 10 days S.N. Goenka Vipassana course is safe for my friend or relative?
I have recently participated in a 10 days S.N. Goenka Vipassna course, which had incredible positive results. I feel like I shed 20 tons off my heart, and most importantly I am able to practice daily ...
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Where do I start?
I'm 22 years old and have been interested in Buddhism for a long time and consider myself Buddhist. I meditate 2 or 3 times a week and have read a few books on Buddhism. I am more interested in ...
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Advices on start practicing
I've read an introductory book written by Hsing Yun, about humanistic budhism.
I meditate every day, and now I feel like taking the next step in my journey. I don't know people who practice budhism, ...
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Getting Started
How do I get started on my journey to become Buddhist? I'm familiar with the basics and really connect with the teachings I know of so far on a personal level. I need some guidance as to what I should ...
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In short, what is the path to enlightenment? Where to begin?
If I were to begin meditating, what practical list of advises would you give me?
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Should sensual pleasure be actively avoided, rather than simply not sought? I am particularly interested in regards to taste
I understand that the active seeking of sensual pleasure is not seen as good, but it's not clear to me whether it should be actively avoided.
I was preparing some noodles to eat this morning and ...
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How To Follow Buddhism Without Offending
I am wondering how to go about starting on the path of Buddhism without offending or appropriating the culture. As a white male I am well aware that I am privileged with the ability to overlook the ...
anon
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Which is the Buddhist holy book? Where can it be read?
Is there a holy book for buddhists as the Bible is for Jews and Christians and Quran for Muslims? Is that the Tipitaka?
A book where you can find all the teachings of Buddhism, and how to behave, ...
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With my interpretation of 'rebirth', can I become a Buddhist and become accepted within a Buddhist community?
I am just beginning and in need of help and advice on rebirth.
I'm struggling for direction in life. I felt a connection with Buddhism in my day to day life and decided to pursue it further, In the ...
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New to Buddhism
I am attracted to Buddhist principles and would like to learn more. It seems there may be a prescribed path or course that is preferred, but I don't know what that is. What is a good place to begin? ...
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Want a simple explanation that sense restraint is an important aspect of ethical conduct, for a loved one who is not into Dhamma
Could you try to formulate an answer to the above question, in line with the Pali Canon, using simple colloquial language, for someone who doesn't yet know Buddhist terminology?
I'm asking because I ...
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What is the best introductory (but comprehensive) book on SECULAR Buddhism?
There is already a question on the best overall books, but many readers/newcomers may be put off (as I have been) by books that discuss for instance rebirth and karma in a literal sense.
So what is ...
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What is the school of Buddhism that believes in God?
I am a Westerner raised in the Christian faith but have left it in search of a path that fits with my beliefs and philosophy. Over the past few years, I have studied, prayed, researched, etc of the ...
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Going to first session
I'm pretty new to buddhism, I come from a christian family and as such I attended church for the earlier part of my life.
I'm wondering what to expect from my first session in comparison to that of ...
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How to not let the attachment to a self and its preferences influence the choice of a particular tradition in buddhism? [closed]
I have recently dedicated my life towards a search for an practice of a right livelihood. I was acquainted to buddhist philosophy before and set my mind on clearing any preconceived ideas about it and ...
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I get rapid eye movement as soon as meditation starts
I saw a question about rapid eye movement when meditating, which from what I know is similar to REM sleep and the experience I had is a little bit different. As the title says I get the eye movement ...
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Was the 'I' gone (for a moment)?
Can someone explain to me this phenomenon that has happened to me?
I am not a serious Buddhist practitioner. I used to do mindfulness practice daily (20–30 min on 90% of days), just observing ...
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Panic arising during contemplation about 4 elements
This is not a general question about how to deal with overwhelming fear, but a question about an specific experience.
I contemplated about the 4 elements and how my body is made up of it (for the ...
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Recommendation - Book for beginner
I am interested in knowing more about Buddhism especially the pursuit of happiness.
Which book would you recommend me for introducing me to Buddhism philosophy on this subject?
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Earth covered with water in the beginning?
I have heard a monk saying, in the beginning of this kappa Earth was covered with water. And a god or a brahma, I dont remember exactly whom, had put a lotus seed into that water and there grown 5 ...
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Why do Buddhists believe there is no creator?
Why do Buddhists believe there is no creator?
Do Buddhists in general also believe there is no supreme being, or do they settle on that there is no intervening supreme being?
Are these the Buddha's ...
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Getting started young with many attachments
I realize that at least the first part of the title is probably the most easily researched question with relevance to Buddhism possible, but I'd say I've read quite a bit and though I've seen very ...
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How can a lay person approach the learning process of Buddhism?
I've read many books on Buddhism in the last 3 years and I started to meditate daily 10 months ago. I have a general idea about many topics, without a deep understanding of any of it. Is there a ...
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Is it possible to be Buddhist by nature, or only by indoctrination?
Lately I've been wondering if I (or someone, any person) is religious, agnostic, etc., by nature.
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New to metta meditation
I have some questions about metta meditation.
1- When I send love to myself, my cat, the world etc. Do I have to feel something? Do I have to sit and repeat the mantra May I Be Happy until I feel ...
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What is Buddhism?
To be precise, can anyone provide a one page summary of Buddhism as a whole, suitable to distribute to someone who knows nothing about the religion?
(Yes, this is a "please do my homework for me" ...
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Combining yoga (asanas); qigong meditation and raw vegan diet with Buddhism
Fellow travellers,
As I have experienced myself major benefits from the practicing of asanas the past two years; plus from my raw vegan diet the past three years and qigong meditation the past year; ...
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Any advice for beginners about Vipassana traditions?
There are many Theravada Vipassana traditions according to this wikipedia page and more according to this answer.
My questions are:
Are any, or all, of these traditions suited to beginners?
And why? ...
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Elder Beginner Practicing Theravada
I am new to Buddhism (Theravada). I am 80 years old and am keen to learn and practice it during my remaining time. I wish to get in touch with a well read person whom I could write and ask for ...
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Trouble understanding the notion of interconnectedness
I started meditating regularly a few months agowith the aim of practising mindfulness, primarily using Headspace. I also read Sam Harris' Waking Up and listened to the Science of Mindfulness ...
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What are the main schools of Tibetan Buddhism?
Can anyone provide short (maybe a couple of sentences) summaries of the main schools of Tibetan Buddhism and the differences between them. In fairly certain there are 4 main schools but I could be ...
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Any ideas about the energy feel I constantly have? [closed]
I'm going to try to describe this, but I'm honestly not sure how to. I have this vibration feeling just under my skin what seems like all the time. It's like a feeling of energy but it feels like it's ...
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Why should one develop compassion?
Maybe a strange question, because for some people it's obvious that you should be compassionate. I'm just interested in knowing why.
Hatred is unskillful, but why should one develop compassion ...
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Central idea of Buddhism
Is the central idea of Buddhism about being totally objective, see things as what they are and don't have a preference or judgement? If that is correct, then why we should prefer the ideas in Buddhism ...
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