Questions tagged [belief]

The acceptance that something exists or is true, especially one without proof. It can also be trust, faith or confidence in (someone or something).

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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 ...
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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 ...
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Renouncing property and wealth

My question is about supreme peace that is received from renunciation. When people renounce a major portion of their possession and title, they are believed to get supreme peace. Where I can get a ...
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How do Buddhists that think of karma figuratively do so about rebirth?

How do Buddhists that think of karma figuratively -- non literal -- not what is ordinarily meant -- do so about rebirth? They surely cannot believe rebirth is literal, so what exactly is it? An answer ...
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Choosing advantages of one tradition over another

Like all religions, there are different branches, traditions, whatever you want to call them. Why would you choose one over the others? Do you think one is right and the others are wrong? Does one ...
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Skillful assumptions

Does atheism in Buddhism mean you let a belief arise that God doesn't exist? Is this a skillful assumption? Why or why not? Was it right view for one to believe that the world wasn't round during the ...
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Days related to Buddhism

Growing up in a conservative family, I saw my community elders choose a good day for events or celebrations. Including, a good day to travel, a good day to start a business, a good day for haircut ...
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Doubt and contradiction in buddhas teaching

I have few doubts in buddha teaching. Just wondering my mind since i start reading the various teachings. Lets assume we all achieve the enlightenment then what will happen to world? No one will ...
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New Year to Buddhists on 1st January?

Buddhists have a new year ,But it is not January 1st.What is the reason they celebrate the new year of January 1st.It is based on a religious basis or something else...
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Buddhism is practiced in many countries by many different peoples. How do Buddhists in America differ in their beliefs, values

Buddhism is practiced in many countries by many different peoples. How do Buddhists in America differ in their beliefs, values, rituals, practices etc? Or, is Buddhism fairly uniform wherever it is ...
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Karma and one's own belief about the event

Suppose I yell at a person and I hold a belief like: "I made a mistake and I try my best not to repeat that fault again" vs "I'm such a bad person for doing that bad deed. I should feel ashamed of ...
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Buddhism - Is it a religion? [duplicate]

I disagreed from the very beginning, after understanding some Buddhist philosophy, that it is not a religion. In my opinion, it is not a religion but a lifestyle or administration under which ...
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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 ...
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7 answers
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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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Problem solving attitude

While I could clearly improve my awareness and intuition through meditation, I want to improve my problem solving skills, not giving up attitude, analytical skills and interpersonal skills. Can ...
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Scared of growing old – living in the moment

For those who are scared of growing old and death, what would be a well thought out response be? My first thoughts on it would be, if you learn to meditate, you are going to enjoy your old age, and ...
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Is Buddhism hell falsely claimed on wikipedia?

Thank you all for your kind answers to my questions. I feel that this community is really different from the others. If I asked the questions I made here in my country, I would be condemned heavily by ...
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Is ignorance a form of superstition?

There are many varieties of delusion, and probably many ways to categorize them. I’ve heard one way of categorization that was interesting. This was from Alex Berzin. (Alex Berzin often talks from the ...
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What is the object of Faith in Buddhism

I am quite new to Buddhism. One of the reasons for starting practice was that I don't believe in God. But I belive in the four Noble Truths. I believe it because the more I think about it, the more I ...
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How did this material world come into existence if the ultimate reality is voidness?

Okay, I know that anything that come into existence has a cessation.. So, how did this world of suffering begin? Or, if you say it never began and it's ever existent, why would it need to exist? ...
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Is it possible to fly?

Many times I see myself flying/floating in dreams. Not so high, but 1-2 feet above the surface. I make a second step upwards before my first step touches the surface/while my first step also holds up ...
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Are there Goddesses in Buddhism? If yes, who are they?

If they exist, then how are they connected to the God(s)/Lord Buddha?
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If Rebirth is not taken literally then why seek Enlightenment?

I've read that some Buddhists do not believe in the literality of rebirth. As someone who is new to the study of Buddhism, this is confusing to me. My understanding, which perhaps is incorrect, is ...
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What does Buddhism say about practicing Spiritism?

What Buddism teaches about Spiritism, especially the Kardecist Spiritualism Doctrine (link above)? Is it wrong to try to communicate with the ghosts and to learn from spirits?
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How can a person realize that a particular thing doesn't bring "happiness" without personal experience?

Buddha was, if I'm not mistaken, a privileged prince with money/health/a social life who realized that none of those things make you “happy” (or even content enough). But how can, for example, ...
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Practice of saying Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

Some Buddhists like to say Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!, usually 3 times. There is some info here and here on this. How did this practice originate? Are there any references to the Pali Canon or other texts ...
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Meditating dead monks

I stumbled upon this story about a 200 year old buddhist monk found in Mongolia where its claimed that he is not dead but instead in a very deep state of meditation. I have heard about dead ...
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Can thoughts materialize?

Many people believe that their good or bad thoughts can materialize in the future. So some people try to be always in good mood and think positively. Others are not so happy and just try not to think ...
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Is it possible to set goals for the future and be present at the same time?

The future is not always tenable and capricious. Additionaly, if one is in the moment one shouldn’t be thinking about the future. To me, this seems like the two are mutually exclusive: to make goals ...
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Is rebirth/reincarnation central to Buddhism?

Would you characterize belief in rebirth as a central component of Buddhism? Are there Buddhists who do not believe in it? How is this concept understood, i.e., what does rebirth mean (in as much ...
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Do Buddhists believe in Akashic records?

I was reading the wiki page about Akashic records and in 'See also' there is link to Glossary of Buddhism, so it seems like it's connected. Therefore do you believe in akashic records or something ...
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How to refute the idea that Buddhism might be actually "too extreme"?

I actually had a lot of respect for Buddhism, and studied it a few years ago. But it made me feel that it might be too extreme (and it could be that most religions are too extreme, because they tend ...
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How does Buddhism explain the creation of everything (universe)

How does Buddhism explain the creation of everything (universe). Did Buddhism faithfuls believe that universe had always been here and forever, and everything runs by cause-and-effect? Did Buddha ...
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What is a Tao Buddhist?

This answer refers to a Tao Buddhist. I've never heard of this term. Is a a definite religious movement or is it just a colloquial term that refers to someone who holds both view simultaneously? In ...
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Why is Buddhism less evangelical than Christianity?

Currently when I walk to work I frequently pass Christians of various denominations passing out free books and talking to passers by. I have never heard of a Buddhist group doing the same. I think it ...
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Are ecological concerns supported explicitly in Buddhism?

Many practising Buddhists that I know also have strong ecological concerns. Is this concern for 'green' issues part of Buddhism or do the two things just attract the same kind of people i.e. people ...
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Is there common ground between the Tao Te Ching and Buddhism?

I am interested in Buddhism and the book Tao Te Ching, written by Lao-Tzu in c. 600 BC. Is there common ground between these two Eastern philosophies? link to audio of Tao Te Ching
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6 answers
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What is Buddhism's view on divorce?

In some religions, marriage is perceived as eternal and is a bond that can not be broken. I believe I have read that marriage in Buddhism is not a formal or well-defined institution as it is in ...
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Do Buddhists believe in Evolution? [duplicate]

Just as a companion question to this I want to ask if Buddhists believe in the theory of evolution by natural selection. The aforementioned question makes me think that the answers might be different ...
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Does Buddhism have a concept of blasphemy?

Considering this definition of blasphemy the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for a God, to religious or holy persons or things, or toward something considered sacred ...
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Is suspending judgement a way to avoid wrong view?

I came to this question from a comment made on an answer to a question about belief in rebirth. The comment read: "A view that rebirth does not exist is a wrong view. You cannot realize Nibbana with ...
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How can I work with doubt and existential concerns?

After a 'bad trip' a big hindrance of mine is doubt and the idea that all is just a dream that we have no control over. This brings up terrifying ideas, concepts and images for me. That this may all ...
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A Creation Story in Buddhism?

Some major religions like Christianity, Islam, and Judaism have a Creation Story, which describes how God created the universe. These stories describe how a deity created the earth and then the first ...
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Should Buddhists give their time to helping others?

I'm new to Buddhism. I was familiarizing myself with the "Four Seals" in This Article. The article connects the first truth, that all compounded things are impermanent, to charity. He said that ...
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What are the differences between "Nirvana" in Buddhism and "Moksha" in Hinduism?

A few days ago, I came across an article on Buddhism primarily about "Nirvana." After I read the article, I started to wonder because "Nirvana" sounds similar to Hinduism's "Moksha." Does anyone ...
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How does conversion work in Buddhism?

I am a Hindu, but I like Buddhism. How does that work? Does one need to convert to practice Buddhism? If so, how does one convert to Buddhism? Can anyone convert to Buddhism? Or can I just practice ...
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Where does a person go after attaining Nirvana?

After attaining Nirvana, what happens to the person(conscious) after death? Does the person cease to exist? If not, does the person go to some peaceful place?
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Do Buddhists have sacred scripture to read?

Christians have The Holy Bible, Muslims have The Noble Quran, Hindus have Bhagavad Gita and many more. Do Buddhists have sacred scripture(s) to read?
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Did Gautama Buddha believe in God?

I hear the Buddha rejected the cultural gods when he achieved enlightenment and made statements that seem to reject gods, is this true? If not, what kind of God did the Buddha believe in?
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What/Who is 'Mara' in Buddhism?

Is there any definition for 'Mara' in Buddhism? Islam has a concept called Shayṭān. They explain it as the devil inside a human (Islam explanation). There is something like this in Christianity too. ...