For questions about the Buddha (Siddartha Gautama) as a person - his life, sayings, actions, etc.
2
votes
5answers
94 views
Buddha's self-declaration without identity view and without conceit
In this question, the OP asked:
In the context of the four stages of enlightenment would it be right
to say that, without identity-view, there's no such thing as an
"enlightened person": ...
3
votes
5answers
169 views
Ignorance and the root of suffering?
Searching the Pali Canon for the "root of suffering", we find the direct definition only occurs in a few suttas:
delight is the root of suffering (MN1)
attachment is the root of suffering (MN105, ...
-3
votes
1answer
64 views
Did the Buddha believe in rebirth and reincarnation? [duplicate]
The Buddha didn't believe in a Supreme Being, or a universal soul. The Buddha didn't even believe in a soul. Then how could he preach rebirth and reincarnation when he didn't even believe in a soul? ...
0
votes
2answers
78 views
How to refute the claim that the Buddha was an “avatar” of Vishnu? [closed]
We as Buddhists know that Gautama Buddha didn't believe in a Supreme Being or an universal soul. We also know that the Buddha criticised the Vedic/Astik shastras, rejected the Vedic religion and the ...
2
votes
3answers
136 views
How do I refute the claim that the Buddha was actually preaching Vedanta?
Some people are obsessed with making a great personality and revolutionary like the Buddha a follower of their own faith by making baseless, historically inaccurate and factually incorrect claims. One ...
2
votes
3answers
75 views
What is the opinion of Buddhism on the caste system and untouchability of Hinduism?
The Varnashrama dharma (caste system) is the backbone of Brahminism (Hinduism), untouchability is a part of that social order. We all know that Gautama Buddha was against Varnashrama dharma, and ...
2
votes
2answers
75 views
Was Gautama Buddha's wife Yesodhara in any way instrumental in Him becoming a Buddha?
Considering the story we know about the life of Buddha as Siddhartha and also considering that Yesodhara was Buddha's partner in His many previous lives, can we say that Yesodhara was somehow ...
4
votes
4answers
115 views
How did the Buddha subdue fear and terror while standing, sitting, etc.?
The Bhaya Bherava Sutta (MN4) states the following:
...I stayed in the sort of places that are awe-inspiring and make your hair stand on end, such as park-shrines, forest-shrines, & tree-...
0
votes
1answer
37 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 ...
0
votes
1answer
86 views
Buddhist views on transgender issues [duplicate]
The Buddha or the scriptures do not state specifically if an individual being a transgender is right or wrong. So how would a Buddhist interpret this in a modern light and why?
4
votes
6answers
168 views
Why does the Buddha, in the Pali Canon, periodically engage in harsh speech?
Throughout the Pali Canon you can find instances where the Buddha appears to engage in harsh speech that seems to be contrary to the noble eighfold path. There are several important points/...
1
vote
6answers
499 views
Conscience in Buddhism
Conscience is described as being the moral sense in which an individual makes decisions. Do Buddhists believe there is a conscience? If so how is it defined
2
votes
3answers
387 views
What is the fastest way to reach enlightenment?
I am asking for reference request and sutras where a person can cut through samsara quickly and obtain liberation.
I have heard a story when Buddha was asked this question and he replied "Sound". ...
1
vote
3answers
98 views
Buddha's past lives in the Pali Suttas outside of Jataka
According to this answer for the question "Does Theravada Buddhism accept Jataka Stories?":
The Theravada accepts the Jataka stories as commentarial literature;
they are not canonical, but are ...
0
votes
0answers
29 views
What Nichiren Buddhism says about rebirth and reincarnation?
What is the view of Nichirenism/ Nichiren Buddhism on rebirth and reincarnation? What was the opinion of Nichiren on rebirth and reincarnation? What was the opinion of Gautama Buddha on rebirth and ...
1
vote
2answers
71 views
Importance of making and sharing merit
What are the benefits of transferring karmic fruitfulness and how is this done by Buddhists?
1
vote
2answers
118 views
What is opinion of Nichiren Buddhism on the concept of a Creator or Supreme Being?
What is the opinion of Nichiren Buddhism on the concept of a Creator or Supreme Being?
2
votes
3answers
126 views
Buddhism and miracles
Do all Buddhists believe that miracles happen in the real world? Are the miracles described in scripture such as the Buddha being able to walk after birth literal or symbolic?
1
vote
3answers
56 views
Is there a difference between the 32 physical characteristics and the the 32 physical marks?
Why does the Buddha ask the same question twice, and why does Subhuti answer it two different ways? In Diamond Sutra Chapter 13
“Subhuti, what do you think? Can the Buddha be perceived by means of
...
0
votes
1answer
31 views
What is real meanning of Prathipathi poojawa?
I know best poojawa is prathipathi poojawa. Does it mean follow the Lord Buddha's instructions? However what is a depth meaning of it? And how can I achieve it?
1
vote
1answer
92 views
Was the Buddha a vegetarian?
Was Sakyamuni Buddha a vegetarian? I've heard that he ate some pork and got poisoned by it when he died? Yet the precepts say that he was vegetarian.
Which one is correct?
2
votes
3answers
129 views
Can Buddha be insulted by disrespect?
I found a video about Leshan Giant Buddha and was watching it with my family. In that video some workers were cleaning the statue's head while walking on it (it is a giant statue) - and my family ...
0
votes
0answers
34 views
Do transformation bodies appear before a buddha reaches enlightenment?
Do transformation bodies appear before a buddha reaches enlightenment?
So that the many bodies of Shakyamuni that the fan Wang ching (Sutra of Brahmas net) claims Vairocana manifests may have ...
1
vote
1answer
99 views
Do we believe psychic and supernatural powers of Buddha?
I have read from scriptures about psychic and supernatural powers of Buddha and arahats: for example, just after birth the Buddha walked some steps on lotus flowers, elevated during meditation in his ...
-1
votes
5answers
94 views
Assuming empathy is a worldly thing (which i believe it is), why does/would a buddha try to help others find the way?
I've always believed that empathy/feeling for others is a biological feature of evolution in social animals. So, why does/would an enlightened being go to lengths to help others reach enlightenment?
...
1
vote
4answers
232 views
1
vote
2answers
70 views
How come Devdutta is also Buddha's brother-in-law?
In this wiki article it says Devdutta is his Brother in law but how?
1
vote
2answers
81 views
Why do we still don't know exact birth & date year of the Buddha?
I just want to know:
1)Why do we still don't know exact birth & date year of the Buddha?
2)What are the factors that is limiting in knowing Buddha's birth & death year?
3)Why many people/...
3
votes
6answers
355 views
Questions of Faith
Which sects or schools of Buddhism make the least reference to reincarnation and memories of past lives ?, also the least likely to talk about deities ? Which texts are the most accurate records of ...
0
votes
2answers
196 views
Why did Buddha passed away in fourth Jhana?
I just wonder why Buddha attain Parinibbana in fourth Jhana.
Why not first or say second Jhana?
Maha-parinibbana Sutta: The Great Discourse on the Total Unbinding
5
votes
1answer
46 views
Is there a canonical reference for the story about the war between the Buddha's relatives?
I've been looking for a reference for the story of the conflict between Kosalan king Vidubhara and the Sakyans, that the Buddha tried to stop. There are several versions of this on the web, but none ...
0
votes
4answers
117 views
What is the difference between Dhithi (view) and Panna (wisdom)?
What is the difference between Dhithi (view) and Panna (wisdom)?
According to Buddhism the teaching of other religions considered views.
However, people who follow those religions think that they have ...
0
votes
3answers
130 views
What are Gandhari Charm and Manika Charm told by Buddha?
In the Kevatta Sutta, Buddha is explaining to Kevatta why he doesn't use miraculous powers for his teaching. And while telling about psychic power he tells:
Then the person without faith, ...
2
votes
3answers
126 views
How do we know numbers of past lives and rebirths?
I can understand how the Buddha and various arhats and the like can surmise the existence of past lives and rebirth. What I dont see is how they come up with actual numbers of times they have been ...
1
vote
3answers
132 views
Delayed speech as right speech
I was once told a story by the abbott of a monastery about how the Buddha once decided to delay his speech and said it only when it was the right time. Paraphrasing, the story is like this -
Two ...
1
vote
2answers
145 views
Are there NDE known where Buddha is met?
It happens to people when they get for example a heart attack they will get a near death experience (NDE). Sometimes they encounter a very bright light but sometimes persons like Jesus encounters them....
0
votes
4answers
292 views
Can anyone explain non-self or Anatta of Buddhism in simple terms with example? [duplicate]
Recently I got to know about 'Non-Self' or Anatta term but online material was not comprehendible. Below are my questions:
1) Can anyone explain it in simple terms with example?
2) If there's no ...
0
votes
3answers
117 views
Why is Buddha needed?
In order to attain Nirvana one must be able to understand that his or her self is an illusion , error or is like a dream. This understanding doesn't come naturally. Naturally one finds that there is ...
0
votes
1answer
62 views
Where does Gautam Buddha say so?
I want details of following quote by Gautam Buddha. Can anyone tell where (reference) & what completely he said?
0
votes
2answers
63 views
Who do we call Buddha?
Gautama Buddha was not the only Buddha. There were many Buddhas in the past and there will be many in the future.
My question is: what characteristic of a person defines Buddha?
My answer is that ...
1
vote
1answer
75 views
Food that is chanted over with verses
In the Kasi Bharadvaja Sutta (Sn1.4 and SN7.11), the Buddha went to get alms from the brahman Kasi Bharadvaja, who hinted that monks like the Buddha, should also work hard by plowing and sowing, in ...
3
votes
2answers
67 views
What interaction did the Buddha have with his family after leaving?
I know he did some teaching with his mother in the heaven realms but what other incidents are mentioned in the cannon?
-7
votes
4answers
90 views
Who remembers the Buddha?
Buddha is eternal. His knowledge is eternal. His experience is eternal. His fruits of actions are eternal. And we know that past Knowledge , past experience ,past actions are remembered by Self.
So my ...
0
votes
1answer
91 views
Is Venerable Mahakashyapa still Alive?
Is the disciple of Lord-Buddha Mahakashyap still Alive?
"The Venerable Mahakashyapa is still present in the world. When he left home under the Buddha, he was already one hundred sixty years old. At ...
0
votes
2answers
110 views
Pronounce the word “Buddh” - phonetics
What is the phonetic of the word "Buddh" spoken in time 21:47 to 21:48 minutes of this video. I am a novice in phonetics.
The phonetic of the word Buddha is wriiten as
[bud̪ːʱə] in this wikipedia ...
1
vote
5answers
285 views
What is Buddhist reality?
If the Buddha said that ultimate reality is really non-self (anatman), or empty of inherent existence (sunya), then why did he bother to talk about human beings and other “provisional” things?
2
votes
3answers
93 views
Did anyone ask the Buddha what their rebirth will be?
Did anyone ask the Buddha what their rebirth will be?
I'm just asking 'cos that's what I would ask, if I knew of any 'Buddha'.
2
votes
3answers
382 views
Are there any exceptions to the first precept?
I recently accidentally injured a bee, I did all I could to help it, but its wing was broken and so was its leg, it could not walk nor fly, it was clearly in a great amount of pain and distress. I ...
2
votes
6answers
4k views
Is it true that Lord Buddha was born in Sri Lanka?
I've heard there's a rumor saying that lord Buddha was born in Sri Lanka and ancient "Dambadiwa" is not India but Sri Lanka. There's a "sal" tree in Sri Lanka which matches to the exact tree that we ...
4
votes
3answers
4k views
What does “Namaste” mean in Buddhism context and why is it even associated with Buddhism?
A commenter on the NewBuddhist blog claimed that one should not say Namaste in a Tibetan Buddhist event (in this context).
I remember one time saying "Namaste" while at a Tibetan Buddhist event, ...
