Questions tagged [theravada]
The oldest of the two big branches in Buddhism. Theravada tries to follow the original teachings of Gautama Buddha as closely as possible
654
questions
2
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2answers
64 views
'Antarabhava' existence between rebirth and the death
Does a state called "Antarabhava" an existence between death and rebirth exist?
Traditional Theravada sources, highly respected scholars and texts in Abhidhamma directly decline this as ...
5
votes
5answers
289 views
Why emphasise the EBT when anyone who has achieved Arhathood can teach from direct experience?
This question concerns some Theravada-based practices, with which I am not familiar.
It is not a dig but a genuine query that puzzles me. Yet I'm not sure that I have asked this question well. I have ...
2
votes
1answer
90 views
About the authencity of modern meditation methods
I've been reading a few sources, books, essays and teachings that discuss the idea that the current orthodoxy of Theravada and its modern meditation methods show great differences with what the suttas ...
2
votes
2answers
80 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 ...
3
votes
2answers
54 views
Accurate and Concise Translation of Dhamma Qualities
The common stanza describing qualities of dhamma goes as "Swakkatho bhagawatho dhammo sandittiko..." which describes six of them. I am looking for an accurate and concise translation of this ...
1
vote
0answers
41 views
Can a monk live with a male lay person?
I've found a similar question;
Are theravada monks allowed to stay in lay people's house?
However it was asked by a woman and nobody answered otherwise.
What i wonder is if there are any ...
2
votes
4answers
254 views
What are the Buddhist guidelines for choosing the true Dhamma?
With many traditions and teachers to choose from, how should one go about figuring out what is the true Dhamma?
I prefer answers based on Buddhist scriptute and references to Sutta, ideally to the ...
-1
votes
4answers
161 views
What's the difference between eating food and adultery?
A question for the initial phase of starting meditation.
To start meditation, it's important to know food first as per satipatthana.
Materialistic food preserves cell-offspring reproduction inside ...
1
vote
3answers
83 views
Is there anything else beyond realization of the five skhandas?
What happens when individuality totally disappears by recognizing the five skhandas as not "me" or "mine"?
Which platform or ground remains after one has fully realized that the five skhandas are ...
1
vote
3answers
181 views
Was the Abhidhamma taught by the Buddha?
According to the Theravada tradition, the Abhidhamma was taught by the Buddha.
From "The Abhidhamma in Practice" by N.K.G. Mendis:
Theravaada tradition holds that the Buddha conceived the ...
3
votes
3answers
140 views
A question about DN 23 and existence of soul
Here is a part of DN 23:
“Even though Master Kassapa says this, still I think that there’s no afterlife.”
“Can you prove it?”
“I can.”
“How, exactly, chieftain?”
“Suppose they were to arrest a bandit,...
1
vote
2answers
46 views
Sutta on which Buddha states the gravity of merits
What is the sutta where Buddha says about the order of merits as in for example "Observing the 5 precepts gives more merit than offering alms" and such.
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3answers
95 views
Is this the correct translation and exact meaning of these epic verses in Tripitaka?
There are two sentences found in Tripitaka. Do they mean, "the Divine one come to teach on earth"?
Please forgive me, but it very close to Jesus's savings. As Jesus says, "I'm son of Lord, come for ...
0
votes
1answer
35 views
Is karma of arms giving depends on the reciever?
Consider the following situation
There are two people. One of them is enlightened. Other one is not. If I gave something to them equally without knowing anything about them, Are there any deference ...
3
votes
5answers
133 views
Dhatu-vibhanga sutta question?
Why consciousness not discussed as internal and external in Dhathu-vibhanga sutta?
"And what is the space property? The space property may be either internal or external. What is the internal ...
1
vote
3answers
58 views
Samma ditthi vs Miccha ditthi
Can someone guide me? Whenever I try to concentrate on Samma Ditthi, some obstacle generate within this body? It's like mirage of something real! Its like a whirlpool of mass of atoms. Help me!
3
votes
2answers
46 views
Does the first precept require me to check the shower for bugs and make sure to remove all of the bugs before using it?
I recently noticed that perhaps fewer than 10 bugs seem to be in my shower. I can try to remove all of the bugs from the shower before using it so that they don’t get washed away and killed. However,...
6
votes
8answers
812 views
Is it even possible to attain Nirvana?
Sorry, I've just read Satipatthana Sutta (MN 10) and feel a bit overwhelmed.
As far as I understand, this is some sort of instruction on how to attain enlightenment. It teaches, that one has to ...
0
votes
5answers
132 views
Can this Buddhist do this job?
At my university I and my group were offered a case of opinion on Buddhism.
Neither I nor my colleagues are Buddhists so we have done a lot of research in the last few days, but we are afraid of ...
0
votes
5answers
103 views
Who should we regard as role models?
When practicing the Dhamma there are many exemplary characters found in Buddhist texts who are worthy of emulation,I want to know whether it would be right for a layman to regard an Arahant Bhikkuni ...
2
votes
2answers
54 views
Steward to a monk/monastery
I am trying to recall the formal/traditional way of offering help to a monk for the longevity of their ordination.
Being a steward doesn't seem like it's the answer I'm looking for.
I have both met ...
1
vote
1answer
58 views
Monk wanting to upgrade technology
If there have been donations for technology upgrades...
Is it possible for someone to ask an abbott exactly what he wants donated funds to be used for? To ask the what specific items he could use?
1
vote
0answers
36 views
Do monks HAVE to accept anything offered to them?
Does a theravada abbott have to accept everything / anything that is offered to them? I'm referencing technology, things beyond requisites.
I know it is important for abbotts to set a good example ...
2
votes
1answer
44 views
Do the Theravādins believe in the Buddhaguṇas?
In the Pāli Theravāda tradition, are there any specific guṇas that a sammāsambuddha has that an arhat has not?
4
votes
3answers
86 views
Sati • Yonisomanasikara
Dearest friends, seeking to clarify my fragmentary understanding of these matters, I would very much appreciate your comments on the distinction between Sati Mindfulness and Yonisomanasikara Attention ...
0
votes
2answers
76 views
What are your thoughts on Ajahn Maha Bua?
Shedding Tears in Amazement of the Dhamma
I am posting this because I've yet to post a question.
I should note that I respect Ajahn Maha Bua a lot. In fact, both of my teachers were students of his.
...
0
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2answers
33 views
Taking refuge in the three jewels with respect to DN 26
“Mendicants, be your own island, your own refuge, with no other
refuge. Let the teaching be your island and your refuge, with no other
refuge. And how does a mendicant do this? They meditate ...
3
votes
5answers
261 views
Theravada and Nagarjuna
I appreciate that various aspects of Nagarjuna's teachings are rejected by Theravadans but I'm wondering where the line is drawn. For some of his teachings I can see room for scepticism, but what ...
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0answers
14 views
Is all property communal for the monks?
The bowl, the robes, the lodgings, the medicines - are these private property, or shared within a Sangha of monks?
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4answers
81 views
Are there any similar characteristics between Nama and Rupa?
We can define location, size, velocity for rupa. Can we define these for Nama ?
Can we say "a moving mind", "mind is located inside the body", "after the death, mind leaves the body and step into a ...
1
vote
1answer
46 views
Kesi Sutta, what is an untamable person?
"It is true, Kesi, that it's not proper for a Tathagata to take life.
But if a tamable person doesn't submit either to a mild training or to
a harsh training or to a mild & harsh training, ...
0
votes
1answer
62 views
What are the requirements for Once-returner?
I know about the ten fetters model. I read that a Once-returner has very reduced desire and aversion to the point that they only appear when tired or unmindful.
Are there other relevant requirements?...
2
votes
3answers
91 views
Are the Pali-words Patinissagga and Vossagga synonyms?
Are both Pali-words synonyms or is there a slight difference between 'patinissagga' and 'vossagga'?
1
vote
3answers
140 views
Ultimate reality and tilakkhana
Is it correct to say that the tilakkhana (anicca, dukkha, anatta) is ultimate reality?
2
votes
3answers
165 views
What is the difference between panna vimutti and ceto vimutti?
I wonder if the difference has something to do with the permanent destruction (through vipassana bhavana) vs. the temporary destruction (through samatha bhavana) of the kilesas?
2
votes
4answers
109 views
Are monks expected to accept life lessons from (time spent with) the laity?
In general, the monks are expected to preach the Dhamma and the laity should listen. But "behind the scenes", so to say, should monks really be learning from at least some situations they run into ...
1
vote
1answer
40 views
Reference to Questions of King Milinda in Progress of Insight, Chapter 12
In Mahasi Sayadaws "Progress of Insight", Chapter 12. Insight Leading to emergence (vutthanagamini-vipassana-ñana), a reference is made to Milindapañha.
Also in the Questions of King Milinda it is ...
0
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2answers
136 views
Is this a grave mistake in DN22 translation?
Is this a grave mistake in DN22 translation?
It appears both Ven. Thanissaro and Bhante Sujato have made a grave translation error in DN22.
“Mendicants, the four kinds of mindfulness meditation ...
0
votes
3answers
91 views
Understanding Saṅkhāra in dependent origination as *choices* of body, speech and mind?
Continuing to try to understand Dependent Origination from my own reading of the suttas as well trying to grok the understanding of other skilled practitioners and I've come across an interesting ...
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2answers
46 views
Relationship between the 5 higher fetters and the Three Characteristics or the Three Doors
I use the definition of Three Doors posted here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Buddhism/comments/6rrbl8/any_commentaries_on_the_three_doors_of_liberation/dl7h0e1/
To me, it looks like there is a ...
0
votes
1answer
83 views
Is HH Dalai Lama conceited? [closed]
I heard that Theravada presupposes HH Dalai Lama is not even reached initial bodhisattva enlightenment and that His existence is mocked. Is it not so?
3
votes
1answer
76 views
Which Pau Auk branch to stay at?
I am writing to you today for your advice. I have been considering ordination in the Pau Auk tradition. I am planning a trip to stay for a month in May to see what the life is like. I am undecided ...
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votes
6answers
180 views
Without reproducing, how is buddhism a proper belief in a world where resources are limited?
Say foreign people would come in a ideal buddhist country where everyone is an aharant. They would take the monks into slavery by force to have them work in a field and they would also steal their ...
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votes
2answers
103 views
King Siddharta, his wife Jasodhara, and other buddhas
What happened to king Siddhartha after he left the palace after renouncing the duty of King?How many days queen Jasodhara remained in the palace with his son?A king is not so weak minded so that he he ...
0
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3answers
62 views
Causes of downfall of a Man, pointed by Buddha in Mangala Sutta
As, pointed out by Buddha in Mangala Sutta, the causes of downfall of a man. Among those following is the one among them;
1) Those who have ample wealth does not support his old aged father and mother ...
0
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4answers
189 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 back."
...
0
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3answers
94 views
Reincarnation of a Sotapanna person (Stream Enterer)
When the life of a Sotapanna ends, let's say he/she reincarnates as a human.
Does that mean, the reincarnated is capable of demonstrating the qualities of a Sotapanna since a very young age?
Or, ...
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5answers
114 views
Devotion to parents
As a Buddhist, I believe devotion to mothers is very important if we want to have a good life. Since I was child I followed my mother's instructions until I became an adult. This included getting ...
0
votes
1answer
103 views
What is the origin of Buddho meditation?
Some people say its from the forests of Thailand before Ajaan Sao's time -
Some people say it comes from the Pali Canon but was scrubbed over time
Some people say it comes from Sri Lanka
Some ...
2
votes
2answers
186 views
Is there mention of Maitreya Buddha in Pali Canon?
How did this idea of next Buddha formed? Is it the influence of other religion where they say Kalki or Christ will return.
Also does Pali Canon mention many other Buddha before Gautam Buddha?
