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I'm looking for an obscure Buddhist text, I think it's Vajryana?

Let me paraphrase it as best I can. There was a youth named Shining Countenance who approached the Tathagata. He prostrated to him and circumambulated him 7 times. "My Lord I am going on a ...
Osel Banigan's user avatar
6 votes
6 answers
2k views

Hearing the cry of a baby - abandoning practice for action?

In the Jewish tradition of Hassidut Chabad, there's a well-known story about the need to be ready to abandon practice towards enlightenment in favor of compassionate action which is the manifestation ...
OfirD's user avatar
  • 225
3 votes
1 answer
323 views

What is the “history“ of mindfulness

In the context of the historical and doctrinal development of mindfulness, how did the concept of "sati" in early Buddhist texts evolve into the contemporary practice of mindfulness? What ...
at_'s user avatar
  • 165
1 vote
6 answers
144 views

Understanding "the self-nature of phenomena is not found in the conditions"

In Cracking The Walnut: Understanding the Dialectics of Nagarjuna, Thich Nhat Hanh explains how in the four conditions out of which a phenomenon arises (seed condition, continuity condition, object of ...
austin's user avatar
  • 19
0 votes
1 answer
20 views

Different Ghata Jatakas

I was just answering a question on Hindu.SE as to whether Ithihasas were copies of Jatakas. While looking for sources I found two Ghata Jatakas found on different sites. WisLib Ghata Jataka Sacred ...
Haridasa's user avatar
  • 111
-1 votes
1 answer
96 views

Explaining a remark made by Ajahn Brahm

I came across this statement made by Ajahn Brahm: After he became enlightened under the banyan tree, Mara came to him and said, ‘Okay, you’re enlightened, I admit it. Now don’t go teaching, it’s just ...
zeno's user avatar
  • 131
0 votes
0 answers
20 views

Ceremony of the air and it's translation?

When did the words "ceremony of the air" first come into Buddhism or/and translation? What are the various interpretations of these words?
More Anonymous's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
49 views

Bhaviveka and Buddhism

The Wikipedia article entitled "Buddhist influences on Advaita Vedanta" states: A few Buddhist scholars made the opposite criticism in the medieval era toward their Buddhist opponents. In ...
Haridasa's user avatar
  • 111
0 votes
1 answer
270 views

About Vasubandhu and Sāṅkhyakārikābhāṣya (-saptati)

The dialectics between Buddhism and the philosophy of Sāṅkhya are profoundly recorded especially in Chinese and Tibetan Vāda Grantha-s — this is to the point that most major Sāṅkhya texts extant today ...
Padmanābha's user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
169 views

Who said "life is suffering"?

I'm wondering if anything is known about the origin of this formulation, which is ostensibly a summary of the first noble truth: "Life is suffering" Beyond whether this is a poor summary ...
zeno's user avatar
  • 131
3 votes
3 answers
153 views

Does there exist a historical-critical study ("Higher Criticism") of Buddhists’ texts?

I am in search for some academic work on critical methods to analyze Buddhists’ texts. There exist numerous jātakas and avadānas. Many representations in Buddhist art visualize these legends. E.g. ...
Jo Wehler's user avatar
  • 491
4 votes
4 answers
124 views

Origin of the idea that happiness must be nurtured

I came across an excerpt of Thích Nhất Hạnh from his book No Mud, No Lotus, in which he says that happiness must be nurtured in order to sustain (full text is here, the excerpt can also be found here):...
OfirD's user avatar
  • 225
2 votes
11 answers
680 views

What's the most important teaching of the Buddha in the canon?

Or, what would be the best teaching to spark an interest in someone who knows little or nothing about the teachings of the Buddha?
stick-in-hand's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
86 views

How to treat the dispute?

I have recently started studying the teachings of Buddhism, so I have a lot of questions that I can't find an answer to yet. Help me understand Buddhism better. Thanks. What types of disputes are ...
Sebastian Elishav's user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
119 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 ...
ruben2020's user avatar
  • 37.9k
1 vote
1 answer
58 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 ...
user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
100 views

Jataka Story Request: Mindfulness, Radiant Complexion and Grass Simile

I'm looking for a story in the Jataka wherein the Buddha talks about mindfulness and the importance of not living in the past or future. He compares the mind living in the past or future to grass that ...
user avatar
7 votes
5 answers
792 views

On what basis does the 'right' in Buddhism come from?

In the Noble Eight Fold path, the practices which are said to be done often have a suffix of 'right' to them. My question is, on what basis is this 'right' found? Could a logical explanation be given?
Brian's user avatar
  • 195
2 votes
1 answer
102 views

What is the Sanskrit for "Universal Gate"

The "Universal Gate" is referred to in chapter 25 of the Lotus Sutra. I've been trying to find the Sanskrit for this, but no luck.
Zhe's user avatar
  • 123
1 vote
5 answers
101 views

Difference between optimism and expectation

In vipassana we are asked to be optimist. But buddha said expectation is the cause of all suffering. . Is there any difference between expectation and optimism?
quanity's user avatar
  • 220
3 votes
4 answers
79 views

source of put fence & plant seeds & pull weed simile (for avoid bad & do good & purify the mind)?

I heard the famous Dhammapada's 183: “Not to do any evil, to cultivate good, to purify one’s mind, this is the teaching of the Buddhas.” tractated metaphorically as what one needs to do to have a ...
eudoxos's user avatar
  • 951
3 votes
3 answers
84 views

Good source of Buddha stories and what they mean

Try again. I have an idea for a comic book I would like to attempt. It is based in a contemporary setting and sort of outlines the principles of buddhism without actually comingout and saying so. ...
ThirdPrize's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
139 views

Were monastic training texts written down during the Buddha's life?

It seems a commonly held notion that the actual written text of Buddhadharma were only recorded well after the life of the Buddha. However, this sutta seems to indicate that was not so: "Take a ...
user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
86 views

Publication of written texts involving the dhamma

I have bought in my life many works written by the Dalai Lama. I know that as a monk, he forgoes material possessions. Yet, I recognize money is still being made with those texts, from the editors and ...
user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
173 views

Can brain injured people progress in meditation?

I don't mean disrespect to anyone else with this question, I'm asking on my own behalf as someone with neurological & psychological problems caused by a brain injury at a young age. I know all ...
jayce's user avatar
  • 21
0 votes
6 answers
184 views

Is there anything like discriminating intellect in Buddhism?

I was watching this Youtube video about 'witnessing self': 3 Stages in Witnessing Meditation - On the Journey towards Spiritual Enlightenment This video describes the three stages in witnessing ...
The White Cloud's user avatar
1 vote
5 answers
135 views

Is this forum a place for Buddhist Hermeneutics?

Buddhist Hermeneutics could be the objective study of Buddhist texts (from my limited understanding). Is hermeneutics possible in Buddhism? There are so many allegories and parables in Buddhist texts, ...
jhannwong's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
226 views

Is the Avatamsaka Sutra the only Buddhist scripture that talks about multiverse?

I know the Avatamsaka Sutra teaches about a multiverse flower garland, which represents all of reality, is made up of infinite universes which all reflect one another. Is this the only scripture that ...
Orionixe's user avatar
  • 290
1 vote
2 answers
187 views

In what sutta does the Buddha talk about Paccekabuddhas?

Question is in the title. Thank you for your time.
user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
128 views

Do the Abhidharma texts exist online in original format?

I just learned of the Abhidharma. What was their original or early language they were written in, and do they exist online in copy/pastable (non-PDF or image) format anywhere for free? Is this of any ...
Lance Pollard's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
56 views

Huayan Buddhism Flower Garland

Is Huayan Buddhism the one that teaches about infinite universes being held on a jeweled flower garland, or is it another branch/sect of Buddhism?
Orionixe's user avatar
  • 290
1 vote
3 answers
114 views

What chapter of the Abhidharmartha Pradipika talks about infinite universes?

I've been looking into Buddhist concepts and the topic of infinite universes in existence popped up, and the Buddhist text called the "Abhidharmartha Pradipika" talks about infinite ...
Orionixe's user avatar
  • 290
3 votes
3 answers
113 views

Why is there a Miscellaneous chapter in the Dhammapada?

Chapter 21 of the Dhammapada is titled Miscellaneous or Varied Verses or similar depending on the exact translation. Why do all the other chapters have descriptive headings and themes such as Flowers ...
Crab Bucket's user avatar
  • 21.1k
1 vote
3 answers
209 views

Question on Dhammapada Verse 30

I am trying to understand the meaning of the verse below: Verse 30 from Dhammapada. Appamadena maghava devanam setthatam gato appamadam pasamanti pamado garahito sada. "By Heedfulness did Indra ...
kishore lakkamraju's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
109 views

How is the Tibetan Kangyur actually laid out?

I have been trying to gather Tibetan etexts like the Kangyur, and have found two sources: Adarsha AsianClassics Later I realized there are multiple editions of the "Kangyur" composed at ...
Lance Pollard's user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
196 views

What is the quality and status of the Tripitaka texts at tipitaka.org?

I am looking for high quality etexts of the Tripitaka and so far after weeks of search, the best place seems to be tipitaka.org. However, when looking at the texts, the punctuation and writing style ...
Lance Pollard's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
275 views

Looking for a Sutta wherein the Buddha talks about dreams

In the Dhamma talk "Sleeping and dreaming", by Ajahn Punnadhammo, he mentions that in the Anguttara Nikaya (no specific sutta mentioned) the Buddha talked about the origins of dreams and ...
user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
59 views

Where can this story be found?

In the story the Buddha creates a golden lotus and gives it to a monk who soon after attains arahantship. Story is in attached screenshot taken from the book "Fundamentals of Insight Meditation&...
user avatar
3 votes
5 answers
450 views

Which texts are the most important to read in the Khuddaka Nikaya and why?

My preference would be a Theravada based answer to the following question: Which texts are the most important to read in the Khuddaka Nikaya and why? Thank you. :)
user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
99 views

Need help with finding a specific Sutta

I'm looking for a sutta wherein the Buddha explains how a person who only for a moment cultivates loving-kindness or mindfulness has not wasted his or her spiritual life. What sutta is that? Thank you ...
user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
137 views

What are the most prominent Tibetan Buddhist texts that are only written in Tibetan script?

A lot of Buddhist texts come from Sanskrit or Chinese. I am looking at the Kangyur and Tengyur, and a few scattered others. But a lot of those are from Sanskrit and Chinese as well (or other languages,...
Lance Pollard's user avatar
3 votes
4 answers
1k views

What is the most accurate translation of the word 'dukkha'?

This question is a sequel to my previous question about First Noble Truth. It seems that there is discord about the exact rendering of the word 'dukkha'. Sorry if I sound like a pedantic dou*h. I am ...
The White Cloud's user avatar
2 votes
4 answers
79 views

What is the textual structure of original Pali versions of the suttas of the Majjhima Nikaya?

I am reading Majjhima Nikaya from the translation by Bhikkhu Nanamoli and Bhikkhu Bodhi. In this book, each sutta is divided into several numerical sections. Each section consists of one or a few ...
Soumen's user avatar
  • 644
2 votes
4 answers
115 views

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 ...
ThirdPrize's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
116 views

Does the Lankavatara Sutra exist anywhere online in Tibetan script, Sanskrit (Devanagari), or Chinese?

Not sure what the earliest copy is we have of the Lankavatara Sutra, but wondering if it can be found online for free in copy/pastable text format (i.e. not PDF or image). I am looking through The ...
Lance Pollard's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
72 views

Is there a Buddhist equivalent to Marcus Aurelius' "Meditations"?

What I mean by equivalent is in significance and style. Marcus Aurelius was an extremely important man and was forced to deal with specifically difficult problems in life. This adds weight to his ...
Beliod's user avatar
  • 71
3 votes
10 answers
1k views

Why did Buddha put so much emphasis on no-self?

Why should we care if we have no-self or have a self. Ultimately it is of no help. I know any buddhist teacher will say that feelings or body are not-self, so you shouldn't get attached to it, but ...
Uday Kumar's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
149 views

Infinity, eternity, countlessness in Buddhism

I'm interested in concepts of infinity, eternity, countlessness, etc. in Buddhist thought. Could you please help me out with sources, both primary and secondary, where these concepts are used? I ...
Feodor's user avatar
  • 19
0 votes
1 answer
104 views

What are the Wikipedia Pages for these Kangyur titles

Not knowing Tibetan or having access to a wide array of sources, I am using the (Tibetan script) Kangyur from these. The table of contents is here pretty much. After converting their Excel file to a ...
Lance Pollard's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
89 views

What does ཕལ་པོ་ཆེ། (translated to the Flower Ornament Sutra) really mean?

I am not versed in Tibetan language but wanted to know what the literal meaning of ཕལ་པོ་ཆེ། is, which is translated into either of these The Sūtra of the Buddhas' Vastness The Flower Ornament Sūtra ...
Lance Pollard's user avatar