Questions tagged [western-buddhism]
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22 questions
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How closely aligned are Buddhist ethics and Nietzschean values?
How closely aligned are Buddhist ethics and Nietzschean values? I know a little about both, and may even have read a comparative study (some time ago). Was hoping to harmonise them via 'karma': the ...
user19950
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Can one gloss the doctrine of karma as the claim that we are only really hurting ourselves?
Can one gloss the doctrine of karma as the claim that we are only really hurting ourselves?
At least in everyday senses of suffering.
Perhaps not including sickness, old age, and death (these seem ...
user19950
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Are monastics allowed to wear lay disciple's clothing?
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa (x3)
In regards to the spreading of buddhist monasteries in the west within climates being rather different than that in Asia, I've seen pictures of ...
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The Buddha was male, so was he an "alpha male"?
The Buddha was male, so was he an "alpha male"? It's a facetious question. Are Buddhas e.g. submissive and androgynous? I am asking because 'alpha male' is a recurring idea in Western ...
user2512
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What is the meaning of "in and of itself" in DN 22?
What is the meaning of "in and of itself" in the
Maha-satipatthana Sutta DN 22?
- 23
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Why are so many Buddhists in the west hostile to academic analyses of the religion?
Why are some Buddhists in the west hostile to academic analyses of the religion?
user2512
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2
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99
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Is there a scientific consensus on meditation?
Is there a scientific consensus on meditation? I've seen it said that different parts of the brain are activated during meditation. Is that true for all experienced meditators, all forms of meditation,...
user2512
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5
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How do you talk to someone whose loved one is dying?
What can you say to someone whose loved one (e.g. spouse or parent) is dying?
Assume if you can that in the West, e.g. Europe and America, although people (strangers) might have heard the first thing ...
- 47.4k
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Books on Buddhism for Beginners [duplicate]
I'm just starting the study of Buddhism and I'm really interested in the whole philosophy of Buddhism. Can someone please suggest some books for beginners ? Thank you.
user13946
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Is Lineage vital?
Lineage is important to teaching by gurus and the succession of teaching because it helps ensure that the teaching is complete and intact, and that the teachers are sincere. One must be granted ...
user2341
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Where do westerners get their "Buddhist" names?
Many western Buddhists have non-western names:
Jeffrey Block - Bhikkhu Bodhi
Geoffrey DeGraff - Thanissaro Bhikkhu or Ajaan Geoff
Deirdre Blomfield-Brown - Pema Chödrön
Are they given to them when ...
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Being called Buddhist [duplicate]
I always wondered why do people that practice Buddhist practices, label or opt not to label themselves "Buddhist".
- 7,260
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What does Buddhism say about success?
I grew up in a western country raised in a western atmosphere with a western mentality. I'm talking things like the pyramid of needs and how apparently self-gratification and personal success are the ...
- 517
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Can Buddhism be harmful?
There is the much talked about example of "zen sickness".
But I wondered can any buddhist theory or practice can ever be harmful to a human?
I'm looking for an answer from anyone, not necessarily a ...
user2512
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2
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274
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Buddha as "lord" and Buddha as "choosing" his followers
The following section in the Modernist poem The Waste Land is often linked to Buddhism, in the academic literature.
Burning burning burning burning / O Lord Thou pluckest me out / O Lord
Thou ...
user2512
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4
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How and when did the name "Buddhism" appear?
What is called "Buddhism" is a whole range of different schools, sects, practices etc. that has in common that they are based on the teachings of Siddharta Gautama/the Buddha. But is the name "...
- 2,673
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When are you a Buddhist?
I know labelling people is not in the spirit of Buddhism. I am for example member of a Buddhist society, not because I'm so eager to be one but because in my country each religious society gets quite ...
- 2,673
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Hypocrisy of Buddhism
Aren't Buddhists (with Buddhist I refer to an ideal Buddhist or Buddhists monk) actually not doing enough to prevent harm in this world?
So, Buddhists don't have any attachment to things and work ...
- 484
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How would Buddhist monks organize countries and the world?
I can't help myself not to find Buddhism utopic. A concept that can only exist for a small group of people. What is the long term plan of the Buddhism?
How would Buddhist monks organize countries, ...
- 484
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Where does utilitarianism sit with Buddhism and vice versa?
My understanding of utilitarianism is that value is the result of an action e.g. which actions provide the most happiness.
There appears to be an overlap between Buddhism and utilitarianism however ...
- 1,830
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Dharma without Karma?
I simply ask myself rather one could make sense of the Dharma and apply it without the concepts of rebirth and kamma?
Though for me it is my personal approach to the Dharma, which i find to be ...
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What is Hardcore (Pragmatic) Dharma?
I've come across this term recently and have seen quite a few opinions and definitions. My understanding is that it is actually a hardcore Theravada movement that is in some ways a conservative ...
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