All Questions
33 questions
13
votes
2
answers
246
views
What are the texts that contain words which can be attributed directly to the Buddha?
If I understand correctly, the Buddha never wrote anything but some Buddhist texts quote him by describing meetings or situations where he was present. Is there a comprehensive list of all scripts ...
- 233
12
votes
4
answers
2k
views
What is the oldest text/sutra of the Mahayana tradition?
I'm often interested in the history of Buddhist texts and, being a Theravadan, I'm not very familiar with the Mahayana texts. Please help to educate me in this manner.
- 2,028
9
votes
5
answers
3k
views
What are the suttas in which the Buddha provides instruction on how to meditate?
What are the actual suttas in which the Buddha described how to meditate? A list of all such suttas would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
- 2,673
8
votes
3
answers
768
views
Why is the first lines of the Dhammapada twin verses sometimes translated using the word 'heart'?
In most of the translations of the Dhammapada I have read the first lines of the Twin Verses (first chapter) are rendered using the words mind or thoughts. For instance this translation by ...
- 21.1k
6
votes
6
answers
2k
views
How are Buddhist Sacred Texts used in practice and historically, given the questioned authenticity of some of them
I'm curious on how Buddhist Sacred Texts are used in teachings and in practice.
The Buddha often says not to solely follow transmitted tradition, instead Buddhists are "exhorted to know for ...
- 161
6
votes
5
answers
342
views
Were different parts of the Pali Canon intended for different audiences?
I read somewhere that the Middle Length and Long Discourses in the Pali Canon were intended for different audiences. I think it was that the Long Discourses were intended to convert people to Buddhism ...
- 21.1k
4
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What is the Avatamsaka Sutra about?
I'm not really expecting a short summary, but I'd be happy to get one. This is a 1600 page sutra in English (and cost over $100 on Amazon). It gets reference a lot in the Brahma Net Sutra and Huayan ...
- 7,173
4
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Why do beings, even in lower/hell realms, like their lives?
As to Lord Buddha beings suffer because they were born:
Jaathi pachchaya jara marana soka paridewa dukka domanassa upayasa sambhawanthi
From birth as a requisite condition, then aging & death, ...
- 3,993
3
votes
4
answers
1k
views
What is the most accurate translation of the word 'dukkha'?
This question is a sequel to my previous question about First Noble Truth.
It seems that there is discord about the exact rendering of the word 'dukkha'. Sorry if I sound like a pedantic dou*h. I am ...
- 2,324
3
votes
5
answers
450
views
Which texts are the most important to read in the Khuddaka Nikaya and why?
My preference would be a Theravada based answer to the following question:
Which texts are the most important to read in the Khuddaka Nikaya and
why?
Thank you. :)
user19825
2
votes
1
answer
147
views
Sutta with firefly simile
What is the sutta that uses the following metaphor?
Firefly(Samsaric being) jumps into candlelight seeking a
pleasure(Tanha), not knowing(Avijja) that the candlelight will burn
the firefly to ...
- 1,621
2
votes
1
answer
105
views
I'm trying to find a specific sutta I think
I remember there being a passage where a monk says to Buddha that he thinks the Sangha is at least 50 percent of the teaching and Buddha says something along the lines of 'it's all of it'. Can anyone ...
- 21
2
votes
2
answers
328
views
Websites with the Chinese canon translated into English? [duplicate]
Are there any websites that have an English translation of the Chinese Buddhist canon, similar to what is available for the Pali canon at accesstoinsight.org and suttacentral.net?
Grateful for help ...
- 952
2
votes
1
answer
357
views
Can you point me some Sutras on Buddhist Cosmology?
Can someone point me some good sutras for Buddhist Cosmology. I'm interested in the Theravada school's teaching on this.
- 3,993
2
votes
2
answers
185
views
Karma of Birth?
I've heard even though two people do the same good Karma their returns can be different on what they were thinking.
And when coming to effect these different Karmas can give different births ("...
- 3,993
2
votes
1
answer
226
views
The Nine Devices
I was reading The Lotus Sutra the other day and I came across Shakyamuni referring to "nine devices" as a way of teaching and leading people towardsed "the great vehicle", but upon looking the term, "...
- 467
2
votes
4
answers
171
views
What are the canonical texts for the Buddhisms of the world?
And as a follow up, what institutions are charged with expanding the list of canonical works, if any?
- 7,173
2
votes
2
answers
99
views
Need help with finding a specific Sutta
I'm looking for a sutta wherein the Buddha explains how a person who only for a moment cultivates loving-kindness or mindfulness has not wasted his or her spiritual life.
What sutta is that?
Thank you ...
user19771
2
votes
2
answers
101
views
I'm looking for a sutta which mentions nationalism
I remember a sutta which uses the word "nationalism" in reference to a taint to be removed. It was the last in a certain sequence of taints. I think i read it on access to insight.
However, when i ...
- 131
1
vote
4
answers
104
views
Reference for the teaching of not-self
I have heard in the past a kind of argument to show that there is no self along the lines of: are you your body? No, your cells regenerate all the time. Are you your emotions? No, they come and go. ...
- 113
1
vote
5
answers
298
views
How are the importance of sutras determined?
I assume that there variations of sects within buddhism that deem certain sutras as more "correct" or being closer to the buddha's teaching. I personally see the Lotus sutra as the "true teaching", ...
- 467
1
vote
2
answers
187
views
In what sutta does the Buddha talk about Paccekabuddhas?
Question is in the title.
Thank you for your time.
user19910
1
vote
2
answers
261
views
From which text is the quote by Buddha “My practice is the nonpractice, the attainment of nonattainment” taken?
I was reading an article on Tricycle written by Thich Nhat Hanh, in which he quotes Buddha as follows:
“My practice is the nonpractice, the attainment of nonattainment.”
From which text is this ...
user13664
1
vote
1
answer
58
views
Sutta request: One should be fed before being able to listen to a Dhamma talk
The following quote can be found at this link:
On the farmer's arrival the Buddha ordered that some food should be given him, and when the man was comforted and his mind was ready the Buddha preached ...
user24100
1
vote
1
answer
116
views
Does the Lankavatara Sutra exist anywhere online in Tibetan script, Sanskrit (Devanagari), or Chinese?
Not sure what the earliest copy is we have of the Lankavatara Sutra, but wondering if it can be found online for free in copy/pastable text format (i.e. not PDF or image).
I am looking through The ...
- 730
1
vote
2
answers
92
views
What is meant by this description of a type of person in the suttas?
There seems to be this reoccurring phrase to describe a specific type of person in the suttas. For example in MN 45
"And what is the taking on of a practice that is painful in the present and ...
- 1,775
1
vote
2
answers
149
views
Infinity, eternity, countlessness in Buddhism
I'm interested in concepts of infinity, eternity, countlessness, etc. in Buddhist thought.
Could you please help me out with sources, both primary and secondary, where these concepts are used?
I ...
- 19
0
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Miscarriages & Natural abortions as a result of evil beings?
There is a belief in my country that Miscarriages & Natural abortions can happen as a result of evil beings taking revenge from someone.
I recently heard a story from a teacher of mine that some ...
- 3,993
0
votes
2
answers
139
views
Were monastic training texts written down during the Buddha's life?
It seems a commonly held notion that the actual written text of Buddhadharma were only recorded well after the life of the Buddha. However, this sutta seems to indicate that was not so:
"Take a ...
user13375
0
votes
1
answer
226
views
Is the Avatamsaka Sutra the only Buddhist scripture that talks about multiverse?
I know the Avatamsaka Sutra teaches about a multiverse flower garland, which represents all of reality, is made up of infinite universes which all reflect one another.
Is this the only scripture that ...
- 290
0
votes
1
answer
104
views
What are the Wikipedia Pages for these Kangyur titles
Not knowing Tibetan or having access to a wide array of sources, I am using the (Tibetan script) Kangyur from these. The table of contents is here pretty much. After converting their Excel file to a ...
- 730
-1
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Male & Female - Is gender an illusion?
According to Buddhism & Science there is no gender to the mind but to the body.The difference between the male and female ideology is a difference between practicing two different ways of life.
...
- 3,993
-1
votes
1
answer
139
views
Does Buddhism accept Existence? [closed]
Does Buddhism accept Existence ?
If it does what is Existence?
- 3,993