Questions tagged [lay-buddhism]
Otherwise known as the householder path, the lay buddhist path is a path for non-monastic buddhists.
236
questions
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5answers
137 views
Non-striving and happiness
I have only an informal understanding of Buddhism, so please excuse the informal language used in this question. My intent is to understand Buddhism better, and I welcome any answers or resources that ...
2
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4answers
121 views
What is the best distance for kasina meditation between person and object?
Some websites show that it is ideal to get 1.5 m distance between the person and the kasina object.
Is there any science behind the recommendation to get that specific distance?
8
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8answers
2k views
When it comes to commercial products, is there harm to choosing a more beautiful and well-designed option?
I am new to buddhism and this is my first question here. I hope I can provide something of value and that I am clear in my phrasing.
So I have recently started learning about the teachings of the ...
3
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4answers
174 views
Why Become Buddhist?
I am interested in Theravada Buddhism.
What are some concrete reasons as to why one should become a Buddhist?
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5answers
148 views
Compulsive desire to correct others
I'm often trying to correct others' views, opinions, and lifestyles.
I feel a strong urge to correct when their actions are clearly bringing negative consequences for themselves and others. For ...
0
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1answer
66 views
Is it ok to eat after midnight after observing the 8 precepts?
if I observe the 8 precepts today,fast in the afternoon and eat at 12am the next day, is it considered a sin?
2
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4answers
89 views
Is there a point to delaying detrimental behaviours?
I noticed that for me, it is very difficult to cease certain behaviours, such as eating junk food for example. Does Buddhism suggest a benefit to delaying such behaviours to later in the day, as ...
2
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3answers
132 views
Attitude towards harmful behaviors
Whenever I'm confronted with behaviours I find potentially harmful, I get angry. One example of this is when I witness motorists speeding or otherwise making risky maneuvers (going after the light has ...
3
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2answers
95 views
In Buddhist ethics, where does personal responsibility end?
Regarding the teachings on virtue, not considering the more advanced teachings (such as Dependent Origination), did the Buddha ever speak of where the sphere of personal responsibility ends?
The ...
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5answers
138 views
Can buddhists watch horror films/tv shows?
I am just a little curious as I do not know. Would they be prohibited for buddhists or would they be allowed to watch?
3
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2answers
182 views
At what age does a person becomes capable to understand Buddhism?
Further to my question about discussing Buddhism with children, I want to ask that, at what age does one becomes capable of understanding Buddhism?
The very first time I came across Buddha and ...
0
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0answers
30 views
How do you discuss Buddha and Buddhism with children? [duplicate]
I got into a situation when a 7-8-year-old child asked me, "Who is He?", pointing to the Buddha statue I have. This child had an idea about God and an idea about worshiping God with folded ...
2
votes
2answers
94 views
Should we encourage children to find their interest?
In western societies specially, children are encouraged to try their hand at different things so that they can find their interest, practice it, be good at it. In the process build character like ...
2
votes
2answers
195 views
Is this considered sexual misconduct?
If a person have a small Buddha statue in their room and they (sorry) masturbated in that room, is it considered sexual misconduct?
Sorry if this question is unappropiate.
2
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7answers
172 views
How can someone integrate the Buddhist philosophy on life's purpose into daily life?
The question 'What is the purpose of life?' has been asked before. What I understood is that if I were to set a purpose to life, once I achieve my goal, life becomes meaning less. There is no single ...
3
votes
4answers
150 views
Intentional or unintentional sexual thoughts
I've been restless for these past few days. Once I have an unappropiate thought about a holy figure, and I think it was unintentional (not sure though). But then I kept thinking about it over and over ...
1
vote
2answers
82 views
Does a virtuous Buddhist indicate when making a turn and no-one (else) is watching?
It’s a question about the balance hetween adhering to law but also not becoming ridiculous about it.
I hope it’s not a ridiculous question.
———-
I am adding a justification for the validity of this ...
3
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2answers
145 views
Is it bad karma if you are waiting for someone to die?
I was just wondering if it’s bad karma if you were just waiting for someone to die? For example, let’s say you asked your parents for permission to become a monk but they declined so you decided to ...
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5answers
318 views
So what is a Buddhist and what makes a person a Buddhist?
In brief Devadatta was Buddha's cousin and a monk. He could fly, tried to kill the Buddha, did many bad things and went to hell.
Devadatta did not understand dependent origination correctly; essence ...
4
votes
4answers
224 views
Buddhism: Morality & Biology
I have relapsed out of Buddhism two times in my past. Currently, I am between reconciling and rejecting it yet again. I decided to make this post to ask questions that I feel will help me either ...
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2answers
50 views
Buddhist Therapists?
I'm looking for Buddhist therapists for a friend of mine (who is also a practicing Buddhist). He's been using traditional therapists and it has not worked for him
Is there a list of Buddhist ...
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2answers
132 views
Which sutta? The Buddha says monks missing out on pleasures of lay life and pleasures of holy life
Which pali sutta is this?
I think it's in MN somewhere.
The Buddha says monks missing out on pleasures of lay life and the pleasures of holy life.
The idea being that their practice is such that they'...
1
vote
4answers
104 views
Personality and Conditioning?
The bulk of my personality is made up of other people's beliefs about what is lacking. These core beliefs rise up like bubbles and when the attention is placed on them, they burst into a rather coarse ...
4
votes
4answers
205 views
Buddhist meditation for intrusive thoughts and anxiety
I struggle with anxiety and intrusive thoughts and I've found that meditation helps a lot to calm my restless mind. I am familiar with key concepts of Buddhism. I read a tiny bit about it directly and ...
2
votes
2answers
123 views
How to deal with fixation towards an old relationship?
I broke up with my girlfriend a couple of years ago. We haven't talked to each other since then. A few months back we met at a job interview. We spoke to each other and she was very friendly. I ...
1
vote
1answer
186 views
Is it acceptable for Buddhists to celebrate Santa Claus at Chistmas?
I'm a lay Buddhist and it's almost Christmas, and I would like to know if it is acceptable for Buddhists to celebrate Santa Claus. I have children and want them to be happy. Does anyone know the ...
3
votes
5answers
592 views
What's is the Buddhist view on persistence or grit?
We are always taught to have grit, show resilience and never to give up in difficult situations. In the lights of my knowledge in Buddhism, I think of these as a manifestation of strong attachment to ...
2
votes
3answers
145 views
How to evaluate someone's knowledge?
From Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche teaching I came to understand that non-judgmental observation of situations and aversion of attachments is the way to get rid of sufferings. Then how would a teacher ...
2
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8answers
155 views
Is begging for alms acceptable for lay persons?
Receiving alms is definitely part of the monastic life.
Is begging for alms acceptable for lay persons?
Is begging for alms considered Right Livelihood for lay persons?
Is begging for alms considered ...
3
votes
1answer
158 views
Buddhist magazines
I'm looking for Buddhist magazines - relevant for lay practitioners - and would like to request a list of these if anyone can help
Examples of the sort of magazines i'm thinking of:
Turning Wheel
...
2
votes
3answers
516 views
How to choose a career?
People say, "Do something that you love. Such that you work does not seem like a burden". This is also something that we hear in pop-culture. Like "Follow your passion"
On the ...
16
votes
14answers
3k views
Am I following Buddhism as a sort of Escapism?
Some body close to me said to me, "you failed in the real world and so now you are chasing Nirvana and running away". It hurt me a little but set me thinking if he is right?
The story is, I ...
4
votes
7answers
638 views
For an "advanced practitioner" (sorry), how to view "addictions" (or bad habits) correctly? How to practice?
Sorry but I will talk about attainments and mention some stuff that are sometimes considered hard to get to, you are free to not read. I will probably abandon this account after this post.
Well... I'm ...
7
votes
8answers
689 views
Does being a lay Buddhist have any advantages over a Monk?
That's the question. Is there any advantage in being a lay Buddhist over being a Monk who has gone forth, that is in as far as following the Dhamma-Path to Nirvana is concerned?
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1answer
41 views
How to deal with difficult in-laws?
What are some "skillful means" of getting through holidays, birthdays, graduations and etc. when your in-laws are constantly making passive aggressive statements about you or the way you ...
0
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1answer
73 views
Do you know of ways to financially support the Sangha?
I wonder what people, groups and projects one can support?
Both monastic and lay fields are on topic.
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6answers
176 views
I'm scared of the universe
So here is a quick "disclaimer":
I know that the Buddha didn't answer metaphysical questions since it made no sense to him. He wanted to afaik limit/remove suffering as much as possible.
Also I know ...
2
votes
1answer
62 views
Are there "safe" practices to follow before meeting one's teacher?
I sincerely want to practice Tibetan Buddhism. It is a tradition which places great emphasis on one's relationship with their teacher. This makes a lot of sense to me. I plan to visit a Karma Kagyu ...
2
votes
3answers
148 views
The Practice of Giving: How to Practice Giving "Thusly"?
In the Diamond Sutra (or Vajra Prajna Paramita Sutra) Buddha says to Subhuti:
a Bodhisattva should not dwell anywhere when he gives. He should not dwell in forms when he gives, nor should he dwell ...
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13answers
11k views
Buddhism broke up my marriage
The title is provocative but sums up my problem: when I am immersed in Buddhist thought, I can no longer love my wife.
Buddhism clearly contradicts romantic love. It tolerates it up to a certain ...
0
votes
8answers
728 views
What do Buddhists think of leather?
I understand that vegetarianism goes with Buddhism. But what about leather? Leather car seats, leather handbags, leather this and leather that.
Is there some sutra on the permission to have them, ...
1
vote
3answers
76 views
Does the beauty of Buddhism lie in letting seekers seek beyond the bounds of religion?
When I was young I was told by a booklet that if I found a better religion, I can follow that one. I liked the idea of God centered, open-sourced religion back then so it was what kept me loyal and ...
1
vote
4answers
249 views
Buddha's view on sexuality
In contemporary society (apart from religion) sex is mostly seen as something pleasurable, which is done even without considering childbearing.
As far as I can see, Buddha taught extensively to lay ...
2
votes
3answers
567 views
Romantic love and Buddhism
What do you think of this article about romantic love? I am skeptical about his understanding of upeksha.
As I understand it, romantic love does not really exist in Buddhism because the targeted love ...
2
votes
2answers
141 views
Can a warrior reach enlightenment?
Can someone who fights, even maybe kills or dies, for a cause he considers right, attain enlightenment?
I wonder that after reading that some Buddhists did not share the Zen samurai's vision at all.
4
votes
2answers
96 views
What is "Pattichha Samuppadha" in buddhism
i want clarification about what is "patichcha samuppada" its in
"Anekajati sansaram sandhavissam anibbisam
Gahakarakam gavesanto dukka jati punappunam"
“This tour, this cycle of existence, has run
...
2
votes
2answers
277 views
Modern Narcissism and Buddhism
I was reading about Narcissistic Personality Disorder and related conditions like Borderline Personality Disorder. Some qualities seemed in direct opposition to what I've read in books by Thich Nhat ...
0
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5answers
360 views
Opposite of buddhism
Is there anything considered the opposite of Buddhism? I have guesses and I'm thinking contrasts might give interesting insights.
In my limited understanding, the concept of an "opposite" to ...
0
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1answer
95 views
Arguing of Buddhists?
Q:
Do Buddhists argue over topics? Wouldn't that be unwholesome and view
clinging?
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2answers
110 views
Kamma and the Physical [duplicate]
Does kamma bind or work with the physical realm? Such as a tsunami will kill you, but you will also die in such a way due to past kamma?