All Questions
Tagged with buddhist-text or texts
50 questions
72
votes
22
answers
11k
views
Is rebirth a delusional belief?
I find it difficult to assign a meaning to the word 'rebirth'.
Here are some hints that rebirth might not be real:
Views regarding one's past and future existence are included in the "62 false ...
- 47.4k
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 ...
- 2,324
17
votes
8
answers
13k
views
Why isn't there a Buddhist Bible?
Why is it that Buddhism never compiled a reasonably concise set of canonical texts like the Bible? Buddhism itself has universal beliefs such as the 4 Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path and the notion ...
- 21.1k
7
votes
8
answers
832
views
What is right gifting?
I came across this explanation by Buddha,
from the Dana Mahapphala Sutta.
THE BEST WAY TO GIVE. Or, instead of thinking, ‘When this gift of mine is given, it calms
my mind. Satisfaction and joy arise,...
- 839
4
votes
1
answer
997
views
What is the story where some of the Buddha's followers commit suicide?
There is a Buddhist story when some monks (or followers of the Buddha) misinterpret what the Buddha is saying and commit suicide. Does anyone know anymore details about the story and where it comes ...
- 21.1k
16
votes
10
answers
53k
views
What is the meaning of the Zen quote: "Before Enlightenment chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment chop wood, carry water"?
In the question "A question regarding the level of worldly participation for a buddhist monk", Bhante gave an answer containing a Zen quote.
The quote is;
"Before Enlightenment chop wood, carry ...
user2424
5
votes
6
answers
2k
views
Transfering merits
This is a tradition I have heard in Thailand: Many men become monk for a few months in order to transfer merits to his parents and so they can go to heaven. If I'm not mistaken the Buddha said you ...
- 9,867
8
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Where can I find the Chinese Canon Agama in English translation?
Where can I find the Chinese Canon Agamas in English translation?
- 59.1k
7
votes
3
answers
5k
views
What is the difference between an arhat, bodhisattva and a buddha?
What is the difference between an arhat, a bodhisattva and a buddha? References to the scriptures would be most helpful.
I'm open to both Theravada and Mahayana perspectives.
- 295
3
votes
10
answers
345
views
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 ...
- 21.1k
13
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Did the Buddha speak Pali? Are the suttas his word verbatim?
Was Pali the language spoken during the time of the Buddha, and would he have spoken this language?
Are the suttas contained in the Pali Canon verbatim what the Buddha said, or would things have been ...
- 2,673
7
votes
1
answer
166
views
Which early canonical references help one find a skillful teacher?
There is a similar question from the Vajrayāna stand-point in which I gave an answer that was partially off-topic since it wasn't from that tradition's texts. So I thought it could be useful for ...
- 3,776
8
votes
3
answers
768
views
Why is the first lines of the Dhammapada twin verses sometimes translated using the word 'heart'?
In most of the translations of the Dhammapada I have read the first lines of the Twin Verses (first chapter) are rendered using the words mind or thoughts. For instance this translation by ...
- 21.1k
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?
- 195
3
votes
1
answer
242
views
Is it possible to abandon desire by means of desire [duplicate]
Regarding previous Question Desire without attachment.
If desire without the attachment still lead to suffering then how abandon desire without desire?
As shown by Unnabha the Brahman
it's an endless ...
- 1,591
3
votes
6
answers
321
views
Shouldn't we take Lord Buddha's word above the all others?
I have seen many answers to questions referring teachings of modern teacher in this SE.
But as i have learned
Lord Buddha's understanding is above any other,even above an arahant.
Dhamma/Dharma ...
- 3,993
3
votes
2
answers
760
views
What do Buddhists religious texts say about the environment?
My name is John and I am a grade 12 student living in Australia. I am currently in the process of doing research for a religion assignment.
- 81
3
votes
4
answers
509
views
What does the word "world" mean in the Buddhist context?
The Hemawatha Sutta Is a (very old)? sutta in "Sutha Nipatha" of KN, Just after the first sermon of "Dammachakka". 'Hemawata' (General of yakka's ) is also a listener of that. He ...
- 1,591
3
votes
5
answers
15k
views
Did Buddha ever met Mahavir(Jain GOD)?
Mahavir(Jain GOD) was the contemporary of the Buddha of his time. Buddha did knew some details about Mahavir, Jainism(as its mentioned in the text) & about its own way of enlightenment which he ...
- 441
2
votes
3
answers
483
views
If no sentient being exists, for whom is there compassion? 'A Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life' by Santideva
Quoted below is from 'A Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life' by Santideva, Chapter IX: The Perfection of Wisdom. I'm struggling to follow the line of thought, can someone please decipher what it ...
- 146
2
votes
2
answers
269
views
Are there canonical texts for secular Buddhism?
Does secular Buddhism have a set of texts that are particularly relevant to it. I can imagine that there are texts that won't have any relevance to secular Buddhists such as the twin miracles. But are ...
- 21.1k
0
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Can anyone explain non-self or Anatta of Buddhism in simple terms with example? [duplicate]
Recently I got to know about 'Non-Self' or Anatta term but online material was not comprehendible. Below are my questions:
1) Can anyone explain it in simple terms with example?
2) If there's no ...
- 441
20
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Does Zen Buddhism have canonical texts?
I'm aware that Theravada, Tibetan and Chinese Buddhism have a canon of texts. However I have never heard of a canon for Zen Buddhism. Does it have a canon or does it just not bother with such a thing? ...
- 21.1k
12
votes
4
answers
2k
views
What is the oldest text/sutra of the Mahayana tradition?
I'm often interested in the history of Buddhist texts and, being a Theravadan, I'm not very familiar with the Mahayana texts. Please help to educate me in this manner.
- 2,028
11
votes
2
answers
2k
views
When were the earliest Buddhist writings created
Buddha was born (according to Wikipedia) somewhere around 563 BCE to 480 BCE, and lived 80 years.
From what I have understood, no teachings that made it to this day, have been written down when he ...
- 819
10
votes
7
answers
19k
views
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, ...
- 205
10
votes
6
answers
438
views
Textual reference vs. Direct insight [closed]
Somewhat loaded question... According to Buddha, what is more reliable -- textual reference or one's own direct insight that came from experience?
If one's own insight is in conflict with a text, ...
- 59.1k
9
votes
4
answers
808
views
Returning to the marketplace - examples
In the Ten Ox Herding Pictures of Zen the final picture is commonly depicted as returning to the marketplace. Enlightenment is said to be doing the most ordinary things in a most extraordinary way.
...
- 7,421
8
votes
6
answers
1k
views
Doing evil knowingly and unknowingly
In the Milindapanha, Nagasena points out to king Milinda that doing evil knowingly accrues lesser demerit than doing evil unknowingly. Does the Buddha make the same statement anywhere in the Suttas?
...
user5770
6
votes
5
answers
342
views
Were different parts of the Pali Canon intended for different audiences?
I read somewhere that the Middle Length and Long Discourses in the Pali Canon were intended for different audiences. I think it was that the Long Discourses were intended to convert people to Buddhism ...
- 21.1k
6
votes
2
answers
238
views
Is the Pali Canon the only canon in modern Buddhism?
This is inspired by a comment on this meta post.
Is the Pali Canon the only canon in Buddhism as it currently stands today? So would the term canon be completely synonymous with Pali Canon in the ...
- 21.1k
6
votes
4
answers
12k
views
Did the Buddha make any reference to Krishna and Gita?
As Hinduism was a prominent religion of the Buddha's time (though not in today's unified form ), Buddha must have learnt about the Gita and krishna's philosophy. In fact, the Buddha's karma philosophy ...
- 875
4
votes
3
answers
165
views
Text request--Tibetan Buddhism
I am looking for some legal, online Tibetan Buddhist texts.
I have been studying Buddhism for a long time (although mostly Theravada) and so I am not looking for something at the beginner level.
...
- 2,602
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 ...
- 165
3
votes
1
answer
403
views
Can anyone please list important books on Buddhism?
What all are the important books, that are part of Buddhism, other than Dhammapada?
- 185
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 ...
- 59
3
votes
1
answer
144
views
Source of quotation from Buddhaghosa about Buddha being trackless
Radhakrishnan's edition of The Dhammapada provides the following quotation from Buddhaghosa as a commentary on Verse 179 (Chapt, 14, 1 Buddhavagga) where the Buddha is described as apadam trackless/...
- 61
3
votes
5
answers
2k
views
What was the first Buddhist text to be translated into English?
What was the first Buddhist text to be translated into English? When was it translated and by whom? Was it reasonably available to those interested and did it have much of an impact within academic ...
- 21.1k
2
votes
1
answer
357
views
Can you point me some Sutras on Buddhist Cosmology?
Can someone point me some good sutras for Buddhist Cosmology. I'm interested in the Theravada school's teaching on this.
- 3,993
2
votes
3
answers
461
views
Question about Nichiren Buddhism
More specifically, I am refering to the Soka Gakkai movement of Nichiren Buddhism. In one excerpt from the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, it, in essence, states that every time one says "nam-myoho ...
- 467
2
votes
4
answers
171
views
What are the canonical texts for the Buddhisms of the world?
And as a follow up, what institutions are charged with expanding the list of canonical works, if any?
- 7,173
2
votes
2
answers
328
views
Websites with the Chinese canon translated into English? [duplicate]
Are there any websites that have an English translation of the Chinese Buddhist canon, similar to what is available for the Pali canon at accesstoinsight.org and suttacentral.net?
Grateful for help ...
- 952
2
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Why Buddha rejected Upanishad and Veda?
For what reason did Buddha rejected Upanishad and Vedas?
- 441
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?
- 290
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, ...
- 21
1
vote
2
answers
159
views
The Buddha's struggle with the first absorption
I need help reading the footnotes from the following passage in
the book Satipatthana, and finding the suttas which they reference.
in one instance at least, the Upakkilesa Sutta, the Buddha gave ...
user8619
1
vote
2
answers
437
views
Why did Dr. BR Ambedkar convert to buddhism?
Me text-book and dad(historian + buddhist) told me that the father of the indian constitution converted into buddhism towards the end of his life.
Can anyone please tell me why he did so?
Tnx for ...
user7062
0
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Miscarriages & Natural abortions as a result of evil beings?
There is a belief in my country that Miscarriages & Natural abortions can happen as a result of evil beings taking revenge from someone.
I recently heard a story from a teacher of mine that some ...
- 3,993
-1
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Male & Female - Is gender an illusion?
According to Buddhism & Science there is no gender to the mind but to the body.The difference between the male and female ideology is a difference between practicing two different ways of life.
...
- 3,993
-1
votes
1
answer
139
views
Does Buddhism accept Existence? [closed]
Does Buddhism accept Existence ?
If it does what is Existence?
- 3,993