Questions tagged [teaching]
General questions about teaching methods, doctrinal transmission and emphasis within any Buddhist tradition.
131
questions
1
vote
2
answers
347
views
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 ...
- 31
0
votes
3
answers
225
views
How was it possible for some people to refute the Buddha face to face?
Bearing in mind that ignorance is in opposition to knowledge and the starting point for all the suffering, it seems still unbelievable that there were people contemporary to the Buddha that ...
- 31
-1
votes
3
answers
79
views
What is Buddhist doctrine about debt, debtlessness, duty?
When I search for the word "debt" on this site -- https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/search?q=debt -- many of the posts are from the same author -- including two recent ones:
https://...
- 45.7k
3
votes
6
answers
111
views
Civilization based on the teachings of Buddha
Would a civilization based on the teachings of Buddha ever had a need for military force? It is said in Metta Sutta that one who practices metta is free from dangers of fire, poison and weapons. Is ...
- 184
1
vote
4
answers
190
views
What did the Buddha say about saying "I'm sorry"?
In the United States, many people find it cringy and even offensive when someone says "I'm sorry," especially when he or she does it frequently. Did the Buddha or any Buddhist teachers have ...
- 155
1
vote
4
answers
102
views
Looking for a quote, sutta or teaching about suffering not decreasing with succedent stages of enlightenment
I have heard about this before from a video teaching I watched before but I honestly cannot remember from who or where.
The idea of the concept is that as one progresses upon the stages towards arhant ...
- 512
1
vote
1
answer
52
views
Unconditional access to knowledge supported, benefical?
Is the modern idea of unconditional access to knowledge, teachings, supported by the Noble Ones, or maybe even seen as cause of decay and not benefical for many as well as the tradition?
What are then ...
- 11
0
votes
1
answer
70
views
Looking for the source of a story about the Buddha and a lady who looked the other way
I'm searching for a Sutra (or possibly a commentary) but it has escaped me. My recollection is hazy, but it is about one of the Buddha's monks (most likely Ven. Ananda or Ven. Sariputta) asking the ...
- 11
2
votes
3
answers
648
views
What does Buddhism teach about abusive parents?
My husband’s parents are very abusive now and in the past. Recently they’ve started bringing me into the mix, and so my husband decided to cut them out of our lives. They still text me to curse our ...
- 23
3
votes
2
answers
81
views
Were/are Zen monastery time schedules liberal with regard to meal and dharma talk timing?
When reading Zen Master Dogen's Shobogenzo it attracted my attention that one of the fascicle postscripts said "Presented to the assembly at the hour of the Rat (midnight)". Given that this ...
- 31
3
votes
7
answers
541
views
Relying upon a Spiritual Guide, who created this idea? Is it actually a necessity for liberation?
I have a friend who is in/with the New Kadampa Tradition (NKT) and she states the importance of relying upon a spiritual guide.
I know that this meditation practice is a part of the Tibetan Lamrim ...
- 512
2
votes
3
answers
147
views
What's the Jataka tale about a previous life of the Buddha sacrificing himself to get a dharma teaching (because dharma was so scarce and rare then)?
If I'm remembering right, in a previous life of the Buddha, because dharma teachings were so rare at that time, a being offered to give a teaching, but only if he sacrificed his life to this being.
...
- 550
5
votes
2
answers
173
views
Studying the subject "the four Buddhist schools/systems of tenets" (Vaibhāṣika, Sautrāntika, Cittamātra, Mādhyamika) in English
I am one of the (Taiwanese) fans of the Dalai Lama for a long time. Currently I am studying the subject "the four Buddhist schools/systems of tenets (of mainly Indian Buddhism before its decline)&...
user21001
1
vote
2
answers
154
views
The Various Theravada Traditions
What are the various specific traditions in Theravada Buddhism?
If you could please describe, compare, and contrast each of them
that would be greatly appreciated.
May you be well.
user20570
0
votes
4
answers
133
views
Do we have to let go the "Subha Sanna" completely?
Lord Buddha said that we should practise Asubha sanna (perception of the non-beautiful). Does it mean that we have to let go Subha sanna (perception of the beautiful) completely ? Are there anything ...
- 705
1
vote
1
answer
82
views
Is Yiguandao teachings part of buddhism?
I've recently been invited to a Maitreya Buddha's Temple. They are required to held a ceremony if you want to join. So I do a little research and found out the name of their teaching is actually "...
- 15
2
votes
1
answer
46
views
What are stories on awakening while practicing teaching the Dhamma?
Teaching the Dhamma (Dhammadesana), having heard the good, is one of the higher meritorious deeds, practiced by instructed, not regarded as useless question & answer ways, as from outsider often ...
1
vote
2
answers
59
views
Is there any skillful use of using 'we' in addressing certain opinion?
As possible also observed, when teaching, the address of ones position by 'we' is hardly found in the teaching of the Buddha and his disciples.
It seems that this often used way of using 'we' in ...
2
votes
2
answers
223
views
Is there any Buddhist society / group / organisation in Mumbai, India? Where we can meet similar like minded people, attend cultural events
I am looking for some kind of Buddhist society/group/organization in Mumbai, India, where we can meet similar like-minded people, attend cultural events, discuss/talk/teachings (dharma talk) on ...
- 441
5
votes
4
answers
776
views
How should one teach the Dhamma to others?
Answering questions here in buddhism.stackexchange.com is often Dhamma teaching, or at least an effort of it. How can that be rightly done?
- 552
1
vote
2
answers
61
views
Did Lord Buddha preach not to believe our own minds?
Has Lord Buddha preached that we shouldn't believe our own minds?
If he did, what is the meaning of that saying?
Update: Are there any meaning other than ignorence, Ilusion ? Like Uncertainty of ...
- 705
3
votes
4
answers
174
views
Is Dhamma-thinking considered wise attention?
According to AN 5.73 (translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu):
"Then there is the case where a monk takes the Dhamma as he has heard
& studied it and thinks about it, evaluates it, and examines it ...
- 36.9k
0
votes
2
answers
52
views
Doing the opposite of not skillfull things
Will it helpful to do the opposite of not skillfull things without having deeper knowledge of that thing ?
Ex: I asked a question on Laziness, here. But didn't recived a satisfying answer. So,Can ...
- 705
1
vote
2
answers
91
views
What Lord Buddha said about "practicing"?
When we practise some thing, we will get a new skill or improve a current skill. Similar effect happens when we do karma. There is also a result. Is practise another form of karma ?
Is life all about ...
- 705
1
vote
6
answers
314
views
What could be some teachings that Buddha has not revealed to us?
In Maha-parinibbana Sutta Buddha has said:
"there is nothing, Ananda, with regard to the teachings that the
Tathagata holds to the last with the closed fist of a teacher who
keeps some things ...
- 305
0
votes
0
answers
64
views
Are Jataka tales authentic words of the Buddha? [duplicate]
If these stories could be taken to be truly narrated by the Buddha, it gives some interesting twists to the generally understood history of India and Indian philosophy.
For example, there are Jataka ...
- 305
1
vote
1
answer
50
views
Different lyings
Here are my questions:
Can lying be nonverbal? like in action?
Is cheating lying?
Is writing the wrong answer when you know the correct answer lying?
Is skipping the line cheating, ...
user16793
4
votes
1
answer
156
views
Monastics & Hygiene
I had questions on monastic hygiene in Theravada:
Do monks/nuns brush their teeth and put on deodorant etc.?
If monks/nuns are only allowed to bathe every 2 weeks, how do they deal with the health ...
user16793
2
votes
6
answers
774
views
A beginner facing Culadasa
I am a complete beginner who was looking for a good Buddhist guide for meditation. I discovered the book "The Mind Illuminated" by Culadasa and I thought I had found the grail: the shape of the guide ...
- 808
2
votes
3
answers
130
views
A Problem in Need of an Answer
Through many of Yuttadhammo's videos and accesstoinsight, I have learned a vast amount of knowledge on the Buddha's teachings. But I feel like I am causing myself problems.
1) I keep on questioning ...
user16793
4
votes
7
answers
109
views
What should we accept? What should we let go?
What is it to let go in Buddhism?
What is it to accept in Buddhism?
What are the things we accept?
What are the things we let go?
Why?
How?
What do Buddhists scriptures have to say about it?
- 7,144
15
votes
12
answers
9k
views
Why are Buddhist concepts so difficult?
Why are Buddhist concepts so challenging for people to understand? What do people who understand know that average people don't know? What are some of the barriers to the understanding of Dharma? ...
- 7,144
1
vote
2
answers
99
views
How can I find a teacher?
What is the best way, or how would I even go about finding a Buddhist teacher or spiritual guide? Thanks.
- 11
5
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Don't teach Dhamma to those who can't appreciate it or aren't interested
I read in an answer that AN 9.5 states:
The best sort of kindly speech is to teach the Dhamma again and again
to someone who is engaged and who lends an ear.
However, is there an opposite quote ...
- 36.9k
1
vote
3
answers
79
views
Going to a Catholic School
Namo tassa bagavato arahanto samma sambuddhasa (Sorry, I am not fluent)
I go to a Catholic High School & I have a theology class that preaches only their truths & say it is the supreme truth ...
user16793
0
votes
0
answers
40
views
How many types of Buddhism are there? [duplicate]
And what is the main differences between them? Is it like Christianity where there seems to be a couple of main ones and then dozens of smaller ones doing their own thing?
- 254
1
vote
4
answers
119
views
Justifiable violence in Buddhism?
Does Buddhism preach absolute non-violence? Or is there any instance where Buddha had thought that violence can become a necessity under certain situations?
- 129
6
votes
4
answers
223
views
Does any sutta talk about the right conditions for teaching the Dhamma?
I've read in other posts (such as this one) about the right way to teach the Dhamma.
But is there a way to know about the "when", i.e. when to reach out someone else to teach the Dhamma?
In specific,...
- 2,104
2
votes
3
answers
306
views
Buddha's advice for after enlightenment
I've heard a few pieces of advice the Buddha gave to arahants, but not much. What are some teachings the Buddha gave to arahants to guide them towards further growth?
(Edit)
I want to clarify a bit ...
- 763
4
votes
2
answers
182
views
Can anyone explain the hua-yen sutra accroding to tendai, to me?
Can anyone explain the hua-yen sutra accroding to tendai, to me?
I've read a few books of secondary literature on tientai and tendai, a few translations of Zhiyi, the lotus sutra, some of the hua-yen ...
user2512
3
votes
5
answers
413
views
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 ...
- 645
1
vote
2
answers
100
views
Can an answer, while sakayaditthi is present, be intentional free of bias?
Aside of the trap of self-overestimating, theoretical (abhidhamma in action):
When one is asked a question and brings his person, his estimate, into play, is it possible to give an answer which is ...
1
vote
4
answers
345
views
Is there a kind of "pop Buddhism"?
Similarly to pop psychology, do we have the same effect for Buddhism? I have a feeling that many people subscribing to Buddhism because it seems to explain psychological phenomena that they (...
- 645
2
votes
3
answers
66
views
Defilements or misperceptions that arise because of correct insight attainment
Like subtle "conceit"? I can't think of any others. I think there is a
Sutta that is something like, "10 misperceptions of a somewhat achieved insight meditator". Bhante Yuttadhammo explained it ...
- 7,144
2
votes
7
answers
309
views
Is it possible and good to know and/or talk about other/more details about the way out of suffering than the Buddha did?
(One of the reasons for asking this question is that I thought that maybe some people needed some extra/other knowledge/insight in order for the Noble Eightfold Path to become more accessible to them.)...
- 552
2
votes
2
answers
161
views
Safe vs Risky Path
What, if anything, did the Buddha teach about following the most secure path vs venturing out on an unknown but possibly more fullfilling path?
To start off, I am very new to Buddhism but am putting ...
- 123
2
votes
4
answers
131
views
What did the Buddha do, and what does a teacher do, to teach?
When the teachings of Buddha are crystal clear i.e 1+1=2, then no need to be labelled.
I humbly place my question as below.
When buddha gave diksha, what he did: is that was the imparting of ...
- 103
0
votes
4
answers
120
views
What to do after becoming free from suffering and attachments?
Suppose I'm free from suffering, free from attachments, untouched by pain and pleasure, with absolute, constant calm and peace of mind; feeling profound compassion towards all beings (from an ant, to ...
- 233
0
votes
3
answers
154
views
What are "lower yanas"
How is it that 3 separate schools of Buddhism that developed they're own separate characteristics and sometimes even developed different fundamental teachings are taught as lower, middle and greater ...
- 7,144
1
vote
3
answers
151
views
Does rational thinking avoid dogma and enhance our wisdom?
Rational - decisions and thoughts are based on reason rather than on emotion.
Reason - a cause, explanation, or justification for an action or event.
Wisdom - ability to use your experience and ...
- 603