Questions tagged [sangha]
The sangha tag has no usage guidance.
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Where can I find the story of Kaundinya's mountain retreat?
According to my understanding Koṇḍañña was the first to understand the Buddha's teaching and reach enlightenment at the Deer's Park. The senior monk was held in high-esteem, then he retired to the ...
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Is fire-making allowed?
Fire ceremonies are likely categorized as ‘rites and rituals’, but is/was the basic usage of fire for warmth prohibited by monastic rules?
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If hypothetically we lived in a time when a Buddha were to arise, how could we acknowledge him as being perfectly enlightened?
Assuming that in a hypothetical multitude of so-called "enlightened masters", a future Buddha would actually arise and we were alive at that time, how would we be able to recognize him? The ...
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at a Vesak today at a temple with mixed lineages,. We had to wait to eat until the monks finished. Is this the norm in Buddhist cultures?
I felt this was unfair and somewhat misleading, too, because there were many very elderly laypeople, plus some of the Bhikkhus might not be part of the Aryan (enlightened) Sangha and some of the Lay ...
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Does the Buddha have any practices for groups and societies that would lead society to less suffering, prosperity, not decay?
Actually from another question before, but since all are part of certain communities here, good to work out seperate:
"Does the Buddha have any practices for groups and societies that would lead ...
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The Four Great References (AN 4.180)
This question refers to The Four Great References in Mahāpadesa Sutta (AN 4.180).
In each case, it ends with:
If they’re not included in the discourses and not found in the texts on
monastic ...
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Most beneficial Buddhist organizations and monastic orders?
My understanding is that, in order to hear the correct dhamma, one must hear it from somebody who displays the outward marks of humility, generosity and selflessness. Otherwise, one cannot be sure ...
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Joining and then leaving the monastic order?
One thing that seems fascinating about the rules of the monastic life, the rules of poverty and celibacy, and so forth, is that as strict as the rules are, it seems that compliance is voluntary. A ...
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Awkwardness in the world
Here is my question:
How does a lay Buddhist respond to awkwardness and how does a monk
respond to awkwardness such as dropping something while ordaining or
falling on the floor?
user16793
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Sanghas of those who practice like monks but aren't officially monks?
Are there Sanghas(in the more broad meaning of the word) of those who practice like monks but aren't officially monks and have not been ordained as monks by monks? If they could call themselves "Bunks"...
- 7,152
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Are there Bad teachers? Is Mara in the Sanga?
I have had an experience with a top teacher, Regional Assistant Teacher, and Center Manager acting in ways very disturbing to the path. Later I saw clearly that they were controlled by Mara or had ...
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Is there a kind of consulting service in Buddhism?
Similarly to psychotherapy counselling/consulting service, is there an equivalent form in Buddhism, in that the counselor is trained in Buddhism instead of clinical psychology? I haven't heard of such ...
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Which (semi)secret societies influence Buddhism? [closed]
What are the names of the (semi)secret societies — any and/or all of them — that have influenced, are influencing (and, via common consent, may influence in the future) Buddhism?
- 572
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Sexual Coersion within a Sangha
I have been four years a practicing Buddhist in England.
I am struggling now in bringing understanding to my experience, I would be greatful for any insight, and I appreciate that it is hard to ...
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Are monks allowed to have prescriptions? What did the Buddha say of medicine?
Are Buddhist monks allowed to have prescriptions, or would that be considered an attachment? Did the Buddha say anything of medicine?
user8619
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What titles apply to non-monastic/lay Buddhists? (upasaka/upasika savaka/sravaka)
Labels are illusions like all conditioned phenomena, but I have an attachment to taxonomy and being able to describe myself accurately. I'm working on that, but in the meantime, I thought this would ...
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Can I practice Buddhism on my own?
As I live in an extremely Christian centered country, and am still a closeted non-christian (if that makes sense), it's hard for me to just join a temple (there are none) or a community/sangha. Is it ...
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Why don't monks get married?
If there are no restrictions in Buddhism then why do they not want to get married?
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Might be possible to gain highest bliss without a loyal relationship?
Marriage (and/or a binding relationship) is not very popular among modern people, who believe strongly in promoted "pseudo-liberality".
As an aside:
The word religion has very similar meaning like ...
user11235
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Is there an established monastic order, with the beleifs and practices same as the Goenka school of meditation?
Let me clarify,what I want to know is
(a) 'An established monastic order' - This the Goenka school is not.
(b) With principles and beleifs and aims as close to the Goenka school as possible?
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Spiritual friendship with the Buddha
I'm wondering what the Buddha said about spiritual friendship with the Buddha himself. From SN 45.2:
By the following method too, Ānanda, it may be understood how the
entire holy life is good ...
- 922
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Buddhist social networking site?
I'm looking for more friends on the Buddhist path and would there for like to ask: Are there any social networking sites for Buddhists? Some features that I'm looking for:
Friends list
Seeing online ...
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Online Sangha groups
What Internet-based Sangha groups are out there?
For the Plum Village tradition there is a list on plumline.org
Are there any other lists of online Sanghas you can share?
Grateful for help and with ...
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What happened to Siddhārtha Gautama wife Yashodhara?
When Lord Buddha's wife Yashodhara also joined Sangha (become bhikkhuni), what happened to her ?
Did she also get enlightened ?
Did his son Rahula get enlightened ?
This, This answers says Buddha ...
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Where do I start?
I'm 22 years old and have been interested in Buddhism for a long time and consider myself Buddhist. I meditate 2 or 3 times a week and have read a few books on Buddhism. I am more interested in ...
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Which are the Buddhist vows?
Could you please explain the traditional vows in Buddhism?
I would like to know which are and their qualities according to Lord Buddha.
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When are you a Buddhist?
I know labelling people is not in the spirit of Buddhism. I am for example member of a Buddhist society, not because I'm so eager to be one but because in my country each religious society gets quite ...
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Any instance in the pali canon where a sotāpanna born as a human?
According to the Theravada Buddhism, a sotāpanna can be born in 7 existence in kama-loka which includes human realm.
Yê ariya saccâni vibhâvayanti - gambhira paññnêna sudêsitâni,
Kincâpi tê ...
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The purpose of associating with the wise
The Buddha states that he sees no other thing that is so much responsible for the arising of unwholesome qualities in a person as bad friendship, nothing so helpful for the arising of wholesome ...
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Can the Buddhism.SE site function as "the Sangha" for me?
I don't have access to a Sangha just now, and I do frequent this very well conceived and helpful site. Recently I was writing a comment about no longer being a programmer because it was too isolating ...
user2341
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How would one recognise if a Buddhist group is a cult?
How would one recognise if a sangha or Buddhist group is a cult or has cult type tendencies. Are there well established things to look out for? Are there cult type behaviours or patterns that would be ...
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Politics within the Sangha
Where there is a group of people, there will be politics and organizational dynamics. This should be no different with the Sangha.
For example, monks trying to cause dissent or schism, monks who ...
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Finding a Sangha in London
I've been what you might call an armchair Buddhist for many years. I'm at a point where I'd really love to meet other like minded people and get involved with the Buddhist community on a more personal ...
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What is a Sangha? Do you have to be a Buddhist to join a Sangha?
What is a Sangha?
I know that a sangha is group of Buddha’s followers!
But I want to have a more thorough understanding of what a sangha is!
Do you have to be a Buddhist to join a Sangha?
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Do monks not have responsibility towards parents and family?
In this age, getting enlightened is not sought after by many as in Buddhas era. So I assume it must be harder for parents to accept such a decision. But monks who decide to ordain also have ...
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Do monks have big ups and downs in their life?
Buddhist and non Buddhist people have a lot of ups and downs in their lifes, doubts, fears, anxiety, regrets etc... we understand that as impermanence.
Do monks experience similar things of aftet ...
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Was the London Buddhist Society the first Western Sangha?
Christmas Humphreys founded the London Buddhist society in 1924. Would this have been the first sangha in the West? Wikipedia says of it
The Buddhist Society of London is one of the oldest Buddhist
...
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Ordination and support from parents
If one intends to ordain, say in Thailand, and one lives in India - would it be right/moral to ask support from one's parents (since one is not yet ready/able to support oneself)?
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What kind of mistakes can a new meditator in his/her early 20's avoid?
I am currently in my late twenties and I began meditation in my early twenties. I often think that the path that I am on being correct as it is and it has provided it's justification through practice- ...
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What are proper expectations to have about a Sangha?
In my area, there are many Buddhists centers referring to themselves as centers, meditation centers, or monasteries. These all seem to be various expressions of a Buddhist Sangha. However, being in ...
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How can I assess the quality of a local Buddhist group?
I'm located in the West, and, in my local area, there are several Buddhist groups. I would like to join one of them to be more formal in my commitment to learn about Buddhism. My question is, how do I ...
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