8
votes
Hesitation between Buddhism and Advaita Vedanta
If you want to know the truth about reality, you have to learn how to make impartial observations of nature. When you ask questions like "Who is waking up? Who is witnessing?", you have already made ...
- 25.7k
7
votes
Does Buddhism apply to this formula for Christianity?
For me, the Buddha’s great insight about suffering had a very practical goal in this life—not some future one. I see this goal being confused with the accomplishment of the enlightenment and total ...
- 2,465
6
votes
Is it possible to adhere to the practices and beliefs of both Buddhist and Christianity?
It is not possible to be both a Buddhist and a Christian because Buddhism teaches all things without exception are 'anatta' ('not-self') & 'the elements' ('dhatu') as its core & fundamental ...
- 43.7k
6
votes
Can one follow Hinduism and Buddhism at the same time?
In Buddhism the main teachings you have to have faith in is the 8 Fold Path divided into 3 trainings, which is to develop higher virtue, higher mind and higher wisdom.
No religion is incompatible ...
6
votes
What is the reason why Buddhist monks don't work to support themselves? Do the monastic rules prohibit them from working?
I recommend you to read the Kasi Bharadvaja Sutta. Kasi Bharadvaja was a farmer who asked this exact question from the Buddha. Monks dedicate their lives to spiritual development. They do not have ...
- 25.7k
6
votes
Are there any comparative studies done between Ashtavakra Gita and Buddhism?
We don't usually compare Buddhism with other non-Buddhist teachings here, both because few of our users seem to know other teachings deeply enough to give them justice, but also because we prefer to ...
- 59k
5
votes
Question about the contrast between Buddhist statements and Christian doctrine
The word 'Buddha' means 'Enlightened'. It is the Buddha that is the light of the world. Buddhism states there can be only one Original Buddha in a world-system (MN 115). Jesus was a new light for ...
- 43.7k
5
votes
Can one follow Hinduism and Buddhism at the same time?
Can one follow Hinduism and Buddhism at the same time?
Theravāda branch of Buddhism (in its truest sense) is in stark contrast with Hinduism, but it may not be so for the other branches of Buddhism. ...
- 9,685
5
votes
How do you talk to someone whose loved one is dying?
Since I am old, this happens with some frequency. A single wordless look with metta, eye-to-eye, is all that is needed. If a hug would be welcomed (and only if it would be welcomed), then it can be ...
- 9,547
5
votes
What is the actual status of the Dalai Lama in regard of Dhamma-Vinaya?
The 14th Dalai Lama has no standing in the Theravada Buddhist tradition.
However, in the Tibetan Mahayana Buddhist tradition and conforming to the Dharma and Vinaya of Tibetan Buddhism (and in ...
- 37.9k
5
votes
How is it that everyone's cocksure of their own religion or spiritual path?
How is it that everyone's cocksure of their own religion or spiritual path?
I'm not sure they are.
One of the mottos from the Christian canon is, as a prayer, "I believe; help my unbelief!" (...
- 47.4k
5
votes
How would the Buddha have replied to Arjuna, if he was in Krishna's place?
I am very familiar with Bhagavad Gita. First time I read it was 30 years ago, and I still come back to it from time to time, it sits right here on my bookshelf.
From the traditional perspective, the ...
- 59k
4
votes
What is the reason why Buddhist monks don't work to support themselves? Do the monastic rules prohibit them from working?
From this guide for laypersons interacting with monks:
The Buddha suggested that the basic source of food for bhikkhus
was that received on the morning alms round (pi.n.dapaata). This daily
...
- 37.9k
4
votes
Is it possible to Take Refuge in the Three Jewels, but still learn spiritual wisdom from teachers in other religions?
When it is said that one's refuge "is broken whenever a person goes for refuge to a teacher outside the Buddha's Dispensation[...]" the meaning is that one should not go for ultimate refuge in ...
- 4,956
4
votes
How is it that everyone's cocksure of their own religion or spiritual path?
OP: So to sum up my question, how is it that everybody is cocksure or their own religion?
The quoted suttas below say that an unenlightened person says certain teachings are true, or holds to views, ...
- 37.9k
4
votes
How is it that everyone's cocksure of their own religion or spiritual path?
Sine you've asked a not-exactly-Buddhist question, I'm going to begin with a daoist observation and work my way back to Buddhism. Chapter 38 of the daodejing contains the following passage (variably ...
- 5,605
4
votes
Accepted
What is Buddhism (in a nutshell)?
I'd say that "Buddhist" (as an adjective) includes:
Doctrines (spoken and written) ascribed to the Buddha -- Buddhavacana -- and derivative works
Practices inspired or prescribed by those ...
- 47.4k
4
votes
Non-Buddhist gods
AFAIK the Indo-Greek kingdoms of old followed Buddhism and Hellenic religion together. My history professor once said (in jest, obviously) that they probably prayed to Nike for victory before battle, ...
- 41
3
votes
Is it possible to adhere to the practices and beliefs of both Buddhist and Christianity?
I think it is possible to be both anything, as long as you are open and prepared for your definitions of both Buddhist and Christian to change and evolve with time.
If you are stuck in place, then ...
- 251
3
votes
Accepted
Is it possible to adhere to the practices and beliefs of both Buddhist and Christianity?
Similarities between Buddhism and Christianity:
The word 'birth' has a psychological meaning (rather than a physical meaning), as Jesus explained to Nicodemus in John 3 and the Buddha explained in SN ...
- 43.7k
3
votes
Is it possible to adhere to the practices and beliefs of both Buddhist and Christianity?
The answer depends on exactly what one means by Buddhism and Christianity since whether we like it or not those things are not precisely defined by anything like a universal authority. Even within ...
- 3,126
3
votes
How does the experience of "realisation of Sunyata" differ from "realisation of Anatta"?
There is no difference between anatta & sunnata in terms of realisation. If there was a difference then the Anatta-Lakkhana Sutta would be a lie & false because the five arahants in that sutta ...
- 43.7k
3
votes
Concept of Karma in Bhagwad Gita and Buddhism
Bhagavad Gita is different to Buddhism because Bhagavad Gita teaches a person can kill in war without attachment. Buddhism does not teach this because any view that believes war is duty is attachment. ...
- 43.7k
3
votes
Hesitation between Buddhism and Advaita Vedanta
I don't understand the emptiness that Buddhism gives to
consciousness.
The word 'emptiness' ('sunnata') means 'empty of self'.
The Advaita vedanta teaches us that we are pure consciousness
Buddhism ...
- 43.7k
3
votes
What is the reason why Buddhist monks don't work to support themselves? Do the monastic rules prohibit them from working?
Gharāvāsa (layman) = ghara (house) + vasa (living) = the person who live in the house with 5 kāmaguṇa, the cause of disturbance, such as color, sound, smell, taste, and touch. And if you even read M.N....
- 6,310
3
votes
Is it fair to say that Buddhism employ misology?
Now, Buddhism is no different from these religions, although it claims that no faith is need beside direct knowledge, it avoid
explaining the basic building block of the idea it propounds. For
...
- 43.7k
3
votes
Was Jesus a Buddhist monk named Issa?
How is this valid?
It is not.
The video titled Jesus was a Buddhist Monk BBC Documentary (on YouTube) is actually a copy of this: Did Jesus Die? (2003).
According to Wikipedia:
Suggestions of ...
- 47.4k
3
votes
In what ways are the Advaita concept of 'Nirguna Brahman' and the Buddhist concept of Buddha Nature similar and different?
One short paper that compares and contrasts Vedanta and Buddhism is Acharya Mahayogi Sridhar Rana Rinpoche's essay "Madhyamika Buddhism vis-à-vis Hindu Vedanta".
When we compare the Advaita ...
- 59k
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