Questions tagged [lay-buddhism]
Otherwise known as the householder path, the lay buddhist path is a path for non-monastic buddhists.
249
questions
2
votes
3
answers
36
views
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 ...
2
votes
5
answers
100
views
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 ...
5
votes
5
answers
2k
views
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 ...
1
vote
6
answers
161
views
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 ...
3
votes
5
answers
1k
views
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 ...
1
vote
3
answers
60
views
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 ...
0
votes
1
answer
21
views
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, ...
-1
votes
3
answers
70
views
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 "...
0
votes
3
answers
141
views
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 ...
2
votes
4
answers
174
views
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:
"...
1
vote
2
answers
89
views
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 ...
0
votes
1
answer
89
views
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 ...
1
vote
2
answers
49
views
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 - ...
2
votes
2
answers
42
views
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 ...
4
votes
5
answers
160
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
votes
4
answers
141
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
votes
8
answers
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 ...
2
votes
4
answers
190
views
Why Become Buddhist?
I am interested in Theravada Buddhism.
What are some concrete reasons as to why one should become a Buddhist?
1
vote
5
answers
159
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
votes
1
answer
78
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
votes
4
answers
91
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
votes
3
answers
138
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
votes
2
answers
102
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 ...
1
vote
5
answers
206
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
votes
2
answers
189
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 ...
2
votes
2
answers
98
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
2
answers
225
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
votes
7
answers
186
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
4
answers
230
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
2
answers
85
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
votes
2
answers
150
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 ...
-1
votes
5
answers
327
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
4
answers
237
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 ...
1
vote
2
answers
51
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 ...
1
vote
2
answers
139
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
5
answers
124
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
4
answers
259
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
2
answers
128
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
1
answer
215
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
5
answers
660
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
3
answers
149
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
votes
8
answers
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
1
answer
185
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
3
answers
585
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
14
answers
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
7
answers
654
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
8
answers
770
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?
1
vote
1
answer
46
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
votes
1
answer
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.
1
vote
6
answers
195
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 ...