16
votes
Accepted
What does Buddhism say about boredom?
Well, technically boredom is a form of tanha, craving. We crave for excitement, for fun, for an external source of energy. And according to principle of "this-that conditionality" craving is ...
- 58.3k
14
votes
Accepted
How do I slow down and start living according to my values? How do I change the direction of my life?
Beautiful question, one of the best questions I ever encountered on this site - at least for me, because I can relate to it in my own life, too.
Without going into too many personal details, aren't ...
- 58.3k
12
votes
How can I forget my old girlfriend?
As my teacher explained, the reason we are needy and clingy is because we have not discovered how to be our own source of "energy". We are like babies depending on mothers' tits for nutrition, in this ...
- 58.3k
8
votes
Accepted
What does Diamond Way Buddhism say about obstacles at times of becoming more conscious?
There is a saying in Zen:
When we love them flowers wither; when we hate them creepers bloom.
Meaning, the more you like something, the more your mind gets sensitive to losing that. And the more ...
- 58.3k
8
votes
Accepted
Is Karma different for accidental killing than intentional killing?
The background story to the first verse of the Dhammapada is of an arhat killing insects accidentally, because he's blind.
The verse says,
All mental phenomena have mind as their forerunner; they ...
- 46.3k
8
votes
Accepted
Should I do what I don't want to do?
As my teacher explained, living with the feeling of wrongness is the very essence of samsara.
This constant feeling that you don't like your work, don't want to do it, and are forced to endure it ...
- 58.3k
7
votes
Accepted
Should a Buddhist lay-practitioner schedule his/her daily life
Routine is a good thing to have for a Buddhist, I believe. While this will vary person to person based on their circumstances, these are my suggestions to incorporate in a daily routine of a lay ...
- 1,663
7
votes
Meditation, compassion: How to handle people who dominate you in the office?
Every worker has a duty to become proficient in & do their work. A proper leader must nurture this. Also, rude speech is improper in the workplace; just as rude speech is improper in Buddhism.
...
- 40.5k
6
votes
No aim. No perspective. Begin of 30y. Scared about political-decisions. Paranoid. What should I do?
Sometimes a little perspective would help. The truth is for anyone in your situation right now, there're hundreds others around the world who are suffering much worse. Just imagine, while you're ...
- 9,707
6
votes
No aim. No perspective. Begin of 30y. Scared about political-decisions. Paranoid. What should I do?
I think I see your karmic situation very clearly. You have a very strong predisposition to become a serious Buddhist. As they say these days, "you are a natural".
At the same time, you're kinda late ...
- 58.3k
6
votes
As a disciple of the Supreme Buddha, what would you do with an animal that is in severe pain?
My mother and I saw a cat today by the side of the road, which had probably been hit by a car. Its back legs were outstretched, it didn't walk, I guessed its lower back was broken. It miaowed to us.
...
- 46.3k
5
votes
No aim. No perspective. Begin of 30y. Scared about political-decisions. Paranoid. What should I do?
You simply have to stop trying so hard to please this 'I'. Focus on being helpful to others. Focus on doing good deeds and gaining merits. Stop looking for new things to entertain yourself. Instead, ...
- 25.7k
5
votes
Accepted
Stages of Life according to Buddhism
There really isn't anything quite like ashrama in Buddhism, at least as it applies to an individual person's life. Buddhism takes a simple view that one is born, lives, and then dies, within a cycle ...
- 1,099
5
votes
Accepted
Cultivate wisdom or work on compassion?
I don't remember which teacher or even which tradition I've heard this from, but I definitely remember some Buddhist teacher specifically advising to focus on "that sheep that fell far behind".
This ...
- 58.3k
5
votes
I saw a cat killing a mouse. Could have stopped it, but didn't
"Chethanaham Bikkhawe Kammam Wadami" - volition is Karma
Did you not prevent it because mice are usually an annoyance and 1 less mouse makes your life better? If so, it's bad Karma. Later you may ...
- 25.7k
5
votes
If we tell lies to save lives, will that be a sin?
There are no sins in Buddhism, only skillful and unskillful behaviors. You have to ask yourself whether the behavior causes suffering. If it causes suffering you shouldn't do it. Not because it is a ...
- 161
5
votes
Accepted
Buddhism and fornication
There are four conditions for wrong conduct in sexual pleasures.
There must be a man or woman with whom it is improper to
have sexual intercourse.
There must be intention to have sexual intercourse ...
5
votes
How does a Buddhist survive in a harsh world?
So this raises a dilemma. Continue being gentle and compassionate with loving kindness, and get eaten. Or react harshly when necessary and risk darkening ourselves. Or, is there a proper middle path?
...
- 46.3k
5
votes
How do I slow down and start living according to my values? How do I change the direction of my life?
My work, however, eats away a big part of my day...
Try viewing your work not as something that takes you away from a peaceful life but as part of that peaceful life itself. Your work is the work. ...
- 191
4
votes
Accepted
Meditation - hot and expectant in the morning
Be expectant in life as a house holder but not when meditating. When meditating focus on the task at hand.
With regards to ideal time for meditation, it depends, from person to person and time to ...
4
votes
How are the Seven Purifications (satta-visuddhi) practiced in daily life?
The only sutta that fully explains the seven purifications is Rathavinita Sutta. It explains in full the seven purifications (SAPTHA VISUDDHI) taught by the Buddha:
see The Ratha-vinita Sutta: Relay ...
- 9,695
4
votes
Is Buddhism the Way of Truth?
The spirit of the Buddha's Teaching has always been: "To come, practice, and experience it for yourself". He had long abandoned the ego to prove anything to anyone:
"Gotami, the ...
- 9,707
4
votes
Accepted
How to emotionally cut free from an individual?
The problem described here is all within the mind of your friend. The Sigalovada Sutta explains, in our lives, we will encounter 'true friends' & 'false friends'. The Sigalovada Sutta describes in ...
- 40.5k
4
votes
Accepted
If we tell lies to save lives, will that be a sin?
I think this question is a duplicate of:
Enlightened Lies - Can lying be the correct action in certain situations?
Should a person never lie?
"Duplicate" means that the answers to those questions ...
- 46.3k
4
votes
Meditation, compassion: How to handle people who dominate you in the office?
Buddha is cited as Victor for a reason: a good Buddhist is strong and certain - not weak and doubtful. These strength and certainty come from standing firmly with both feet in reality (Tatha) - ...
- 58.3k
4
votes
How does a Buddhist survive in a harsh world?
If you think current world is harsh, what essentially you need to understand is, the world only gets worse. Tomorrow is never going to be better than today. Real buddhists should never conflict with ...
- 144
4
votes
Does Buddhism have an answer to disturbing sexual fantasies?
Ways of Denourishing of Sensual Desire.
Asubha reflextion, refextion on the ugly of the body behind skin, hair, nails, reflecting the backwards of sensuality.
Watching the dogs on the street...
[...
- 106
4
votes
Should I do what I don't want to do?
You don't have to love or hate your work. If happiness arises while at work, be mindful of it and if aversion arises while at work, be mindful of that too.
- 25.7k
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