Questions tagged [lay-buddhism]
Otherwise known as the householder path, the lay buddhist path is a path for non-monastic buddhists.
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Can an art career distract from the Buddhist path?
I have aspired to be an artist since adolescence. I saw a Studio Ghibli movie and wanted to create that same magical feeling in others. However more recently, I think I have may have aspired only to ...
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What's the role of "blameless" in the Dhamma?
The word "blameless" is often used in suttas: https://www.google.com/search?q=blameless%20site%3Aaccesstoinsight.org
AN 4.62 suggests it's highly good:
Seeing clearly — the wise one —
he ...
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How to deal with immense guilt over past acts of cruelty? Is sincere repentance and striving really enough?
I won't go into details, but I am dealing with horrible guilt and shame over cruel acts I have committed in the past. It feels like I am now come to terms with the significance of these actions, and ...
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Can reincarnation be proved with using a mixture of logic, science, and philosophical belief?
Let's go through the logic first. The following statements are suppositions that must be chronologically accepted.
Matter is neither created nor destroyed.
Matter is made up of atoms.
I am made up of ...
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Mindfulness in lay work
Mindfulness requires being non judgemental, but what should one do when the work requires judgement where a standard needs maintained? Is there a form of objective judgement that that can be used like ...
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Mastery of skills outside the Buddhist path and desire
I have run into a mental trap about desire on the Buddhist path. I know desire is good if it is wholesome, ie say desire for enlightenment and etc. Yet what about a desire for the mastery of a skill ...
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Making a true promise "on the dharma"
Is making a true promise, on the dharma, good karma?
Not asking about the precepts per se, but it was about precept centred behaviour (a lack of infidelity etc. from me): and now I feel blissed out, ...
user23322
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Does "sunnata" mean "empty of your self"?
I read on the internet the following doctrinal statement regarding Buddhist Philosophy:
Furthermore, they believe that the dhammas are "not empty" because they are merely empty of "...
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How to deal with anxiety associated with surroundings/environment?
I have moved to a big city from a suburban area recently. I hardly have to go outside home. Because of the current covid restrictions, I do WFH.
I used to go cycling or walking everyday before. But ...
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What are some of the ways to practice confidence/ self-confidence?
In many Buddhist doctrines, confidence or self-confidence is thought as a virtue. I am still struggling to see how it does not contradict with arrogance or pride.
A few expansions are:
"...
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How do you know if you are competent in your job?
To my understanding, Buddhism teaches humility, humbleness. I am trying to practice this quality. But I have started to feel that no matter what I do, I am not good enough. How do you know whether you ...
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Xin Ling Fa Men 心灵法门 - New "Buddhism"?
I've seen Master Lu live, i noticed this but not all agreed and their services are everywhere in the town
So, i visited few temples and many of their members to understand more about this and the ...
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Online Funeral vs Actual Funeral (Buddhism)
This post is relevant to Buddhist Funeral Process
Can i do it online like playing the recorded video as below with nice TV and nice sound system ?
Funeral Chanting - Theravada Buddhism - Pali - ...
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Is there any consolation to have arrived at the Buddha dharma?
At times when the mind is critical of not having achieved the samsaric goals, is there any consolation to have arrived at the Buddha dharma, especially from a non-Buddhist background?
If so, how will ...
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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 ...
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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?
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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 ...
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Why Become Buddhist?
I am interested in Theravada Buddhism.
What are some concrete reasons as to why one should become a Buddhist?
user21580
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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 ...
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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?
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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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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?
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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.
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
user19784
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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 ...
user8527
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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 ...
user20570
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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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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'...
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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 ...
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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 ...
user20377
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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
...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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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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 ...
user8527
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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.
user8527
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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 ...
