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

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Difference between rahat and maha rahat

This is more directed to someone who understands Sinhalese. Is there difference between Rahath and Maha rahath? Is it interchangeable? In the texts some places it says rahath and in some places it ...
user36128's user avatar
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How old were the 500 arhats when they became arhats?

How old were each (or several) of the Buddha's students when they became arhats? I know Buddha was 35. I researched so far by Googling it and also by looking into Sariputra's life and also trying to ...
Jeff Bogdan's user avatar
2 votes
8 answers
250 views

What is a "True Buddhist"?

I was reading a book titled "Buddha Dhamma for Inquiring Minds" by Ven. Buddhadasa. In this book he says ordinary people are Buddhists in name only and "To be a ‘true Buddhist’ is to be ...
AlphabatSoop's user avatar
2 votes
5 answers
127 views

Did I violate the fourth precept?

I am a Theravada Buddhist. I got selected to a government university in my country. I got a message saying “Your online registration under Additional Intake for Special Subject for the A/Y 21/22 is ...
Isira Ratnayake 's user avatar
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3 answers
119 views

Progressive rebirth from one heaven to a higher heaven

Can devas in heavenly realms do good deeds and get a rebirth in other higher heavens and progress successively from one higher heaven to other? Preferably, from Mahayana Buddhist or Theravada Buddhist ...
Rahul Malik's user avatar
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3 answers
92 views

Serious asthma and meditation, how much should I struggle? Is anxiety at night ok?

I have struggled with serious chronic asthma all my life. I started meditating and in general felt very relaxed. However a few years into the practice my asthma became very serious. One night I ...
atreeon's user avatar
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Buddhajayanti sinhala tripitaka for kindle

Is there buddhajayanti sinhala translation of tipitaka for Kindle device? Pdf format is not good with kindle. Is there any other format of buddhajayanti sinhala tipitaka for kindle. Please let me know....
AC Jothi's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
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What are some techniques to practice Anatta with the five aggregates?

According to the Anatta-Lakkhana Sutta, the Buddha asks us to treat the five aggregates (form, feeling, perception, mental formations and consciousness) as "this is not mine, this is not I, this ...
PrincessBelle's user avatar
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4 answers
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What is the relationship between signless samadhi, emptiness and cessation of perception & feeling?

As titled, According to the suttapitaka. What is the relationship between 'signless samadhi', 'signless property', 'emptiness' and 'the cessation of perception & feeling'? I want only Theravada ...
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According to Buddhism, everything that happens, happens for a reason, which is due to karma. How does Utu Niyama, Bija niyama fit into this?

I've listened to many theravada buddhist sermons and something that is always mentioned is how everything that happens, happens for a reason. Does that mean that if we get sick, it's our karma to get ...
PrincessBelle's user avatar
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How to offer food in Buddhism?

I have never seen a Buddhist food offering at an altar. Can someone explain how it's done?
Marino Klisovich's user avatar
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Brahmcharyavas : starting, ending

Last question:- "Bramchariyavas has started" -> "ब्रह्मचर्यवास शुरू हुआ"। Did this "occur" to anyone in past and the same has been mentioned in books? What are the ...
Wonderer's user avatar
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What comes first: effort or motivation?

Master Shi Heng Yi referred to Laozi (Chinese Taoist Teacher) as saying that It's better to remain clam and do nothing while achieving nothing than doing a lot and investing a lot of effort and ...
Noob's user avatar
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Source of Ajahn Chah quote

I'd like to read the context for the following quote from Ajahn Chah: I want those who train with me to see the truth, not just read the scriptures. I want them to see if their hearts have been ...
stick-in-hand's user avatar
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Do all Dhamma teachings aim us at release?

I read the statement recently that all Dhamma teachings aim to produce disenchantment, for the purpose of release / unbinding. Any thoughts on this subject are welcome, but my question is: Which ...
stick-in-hand's user avatar
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Is the Tipitaka considered infallible in Theravada Buddhism?

Would most Theravada monks consider the Tipitaka infallible? For example, would most agree with these statements? All Scripture is... useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in ...
Terjij Kassal's user avatar
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4 answers
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I don't understand bodhicitta

I have difficulty with the notion of bodhicitta and the concept of Boddhisattva, and the difference with the concept of Buddha. If I understand correctly, the idea is to have an altruistic intention ...
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Aren't ahirika and kukkucca contradictory defilements?

If I'm understanding correctly, kukkucca refers to the lack of guilt in the face of wrongdoing and ahirika translates to remorse or guilt. If that is the case, when someone does something bad he's ...
Namespace's user avatar
1 vote
5 answers
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Ritual in buddhism (preferably theravada) for lay people

Perhaps ritual isnt the right word but hopefully I can explain. So I am attracted to orthodox Christianity and its culture but I dont believe any of it. I like its fasting ritual many of its holidays, ...
jwe's user avatar
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What is meant by awareness-release, ...?

In "The Sublime Attitudes" the word "release" appears multiple times. What is meant by "awareness-release"? What is meant by "release of awareness"? Do both ...
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looking for a particular sutta

i'm after the sutta where the Buddha says something like 'you can get to know another person if you have some awareness and wisdom, but even then you must live close by and observe them in all their ...
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What is meant by "a profound knowledge of words" in dhp 352?

dhp 352 A master is one who has let go of all craving and clinging to the world; who has seen the truth beyond forms, yet is possessed of a profound knowledge of words. Such a great being can be said ...
Newton's user avatar
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Do we have to commit sins because of another's karma

I have a big question since my childhood and everyone I asked, failed to answer. Please help me. Imagine that there are three men A, B and C. A kills B and commit a sin in a previous bhava. Now A have ...
Chamodh Nethsara's user avatar
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6 answers
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Can you break the five precepts (except for lying) if the need arises?

I have come across someone stating that you can break any of the five precepts with exception of lying if the need may arise. Is this true? In Theravada Buddhism.
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What is the last reward in AN 6:103 ("The Teacher will have been served with goodwill.")?

I'm not sure how to understand the sixth reward, or even who is rewarded. Can someone explain it? (AN 6:103, from https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/AN/AN6_103.html, complete sutta quoted below) “In ...
stick-in-hand's user avatar
4 votes
3 answers
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Am I "studying" too much and practicing too little?

I am new to practicing Buddhism. I was first introduced to it through reading "What The Buddha Taught" by Walpola Rahula. Since then I've begun practicing Ānāpānasati and zazen, as well as ...
carbonguac's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
102 views

Is S. Dhammika's book The Broken Buddha, a misleading angry reaction?

Recently I happened to read the following review and comments about the book "The Broken Buddha." The Broken Buddha and its Implications The Broken Buddha: The revenge of the unfaithful monk ...
Blake's user avatar
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10 answers
170 views

how do I let go of everything?

Is there practice that I can do that will help me dissolve my attatchment to the world, my family, my life any hopes and dreams, its all transient and causes massive suffering for me. How can I let ...
jwe's user avatar
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What is mainly uncovered by Analyzing Causes? Anicca or Dukkha or Anatta?

The Abhidhamma Commentary says: Anicca-characteristic is hidden due to "Non-contemplation of the Rising and falling." Dukkha-characteristic is hidden due to "Shifting of the Postures.&...
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Where does the Buddha say, There is no happiness without calm?

Where in the canon does the Buddha say, There is no happiness without calm? I've heard the statement only second hand, and paraphrased.
stick-in-hand's user avatar
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Kalama Sutta only about Kilesas?

I found an explanation of Kalama Sutta in a website which is said to be from a Tipitaka teacher in Sri Lanka. Is Kalama Sutta only about Kilesas? Kālāma sutta is only to be applied for Lobha-dosa-...
Blake's user avatar
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What are the "Four Vinayas"?

The Mahāpadesa Sutta describes about the "Four Great Authorities (Mahāpadesas)" that a disciple should refer, if any one claims some new thing to be the word of the Budhha. Mahāpadesa Sutta ...
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1 answer
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Are "Concepts about Real" Concepts?

In Theravada, the Concepts are considered unreal ("person", "chariot" etc.). Then what about the "Concepts about Real" ("red", "perception")? Are they ...
Blake's user avatar
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3 answers
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Why are Concepts not Impermanent?

Why are Concepts not Impermanent? I found the below explanation in another forum. Are they Permanent? or not both? Conventional reality (sammuti sacca/ pannatti) is just a concept and not real. Non-...
Blake's user avatar
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1 answer
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If the Tathagata exists after death, is there anyone to witness it?

This is different from asking, "does the Tathagata exist after death? or not? or both? or neither?"
Jay's user avatar
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Where is the most knowledgeable Abhidhamma Community?

Who are the most knowledgeable Abhidhamma masters today? Where are the active Abhidhamma communities? country lineage monastery institute teacher group website forum
Blake's user avatar
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1 vote
2 answers
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Why didn't the Buddha mention about the omniscience of "future of other beings", in suttas?

In many suttas, the Buddha affirms his omniscience about the past of all the beings. Why didn't the Buddha say something about his omniscience about the future of all the beings, in suttas?
Blake's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
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What is the source of this information about "underground serpents"?

I've seen this glossary entry in a couple of places: Hīnayāna: “Inferior Vehicle,” a pejorative term, coined by a group who called themselves followers of the Mahāyāna, the “Great Vehicle,” to denote ...
stick-in-hand's user avatar
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2 answers
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How does decisive supporting cause (upanissaya paccaya) work? (and some related questions)

According to Theravada Buddhism: 1.How does Decisive Supporting Cause (Upanissaya Paccaya) work? For example, when Venerable arahant Anuruddha asked Sangha what to do to attain divine-eye in Lord ...
Kaushalya's user avatar
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2 answers
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Is goodwill necessary in order to make progress on the Path?

It seems impossible to have goodwill in certain situations. Is it enough to be tolerant and forgiving of other's faults?
stick-in-hand's user avatar
-1 votes
1 answer
59 views

How to achieve magga nana?

During meditation practice have experienced mind was stopped. But some says it is samadi,not the magga phala.but now I don't have thoughts over myself. They say magga phala is shut down .so what is ...
Buddhika Kitsiri's user avatar
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What is stream entry?

While doing meditation I had experienced sudden stop of mind for a second. Then restart again reflecting that is peaceful. What was that experienced?is it stream entry?
Buddhika Kitsiri's user avatar
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141 views

What is access concentration?

When sit for the meditation ears were blocked. Just like sink into the water. But sounds were heard. With the time it's heard in less intensity. Is that access concentration? Before this developed ...
Buddhika Kitsiri's user avatar
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2 answers
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What is the different between first path attainer from a meditative commoner?

During meditation can path attainment be identified? How ? Is it gradually progressing of the path in first path attainers?how this is differ from a meditative commoner?
Buddhika Kitsiri's user avatar
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1 answer
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Is repeating words in mind necessary to some meditations in Theravada? Why or why not?

According to Visuddhimagga, focusing on breath does't require repeating "inhalation, exhalation..." in mind (at least it seems that the book doesn't explicitly tell that) . However, the 10 ...
guest's user avatar
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1 answer
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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 ...
JHS's user avatar
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2 votes
4 answers
99 views

Is the Pali Canon the final authority in the Theravada tradition?

In the Theravada tradition is the Pali Canon viewed as the final truth? In other words, are the Buddha's teachings viewed as the final authority which cannot be revised or are his teachings subject ...
Traveler's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
87 views

Proper way of offering

I'm trying to clarify something I believe I heard a while back. I think I heard the monk instruct the lay person to say "Bhikku Sanghassa Demi" which I believe was later translated as "...
m2015's user avatar
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2 votes
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Why do Sotapannas need faith?

I have read that the Stream Enterer needs to develop all the 5 faculties order to become enlightened. One of these facilities is faith. It is also said that they are beyond skeptical doubt of the ...
Prince Deepthinker's user avatar
1 vote
4 answers
100 views

Unwholesome Sankharas Emerging From Dhamma Practice

What unwholesome sankharas can be created from too much focus on dhamma concepts, reading and intellectual pursuits, and practice? What kind of results do those sankharas produce? What blockades are ...
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