9
votes
Accepted
On what basis does the 'right' in Buddhism come from?
The 'Right' in Buddhism (Samma or Samyak, literally "done well" or "properly done") is that which is causally connected with peace (and Peace). It is causally connected with peace ...
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8
votes
Is there a ninth fold to the Eightfold path or is it just eight?
There is the:
8 Fold Path is the practice up to Sotapanna, and
10 Fold Path for full enlightenment
The Noble 8 Fold Path is the practice up to Sotapanna.
Source: Maha Cattarīsaka Sutta intorduction
...
8
votes
Accepted
When it comes to commercial products, is there harm to choosing a more beautiful and well-designed option?
That kettle example tells me you admire a certain attitude to life, an attitude of doing things right, properly, with attention to fulfilling the essential function and not having undesired side-...
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7
votes
Is meditation necessary in Buddhism?
Meditation and the Noble Eightfold Path is necessary for Buddhist enlightenment but it is not a compulsory practise for Buddhist lay people (non-monks). The Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta) says:
There ...
- 42.8k
6
votes
What is the difference between right thinking and right view?
Samma Sankappa (right thinking) is the result of right view (Samma Ditthi).
If you have the wrong view your thinking will be wrong thinking. (Mittcha Sankappa)
Generally, right view is the forerunner ...
- 5,607
6
votes
Was Buddhism a rebellion against the Aryans?
When Gautama left his family to become an ascetic or śramaṇa, he joined many other ascetics or wanderers who were separate from the Vedic-Brahmanism religion.
However, when Gautama left his family ...
- 42.8k
6
votes
Accepted
Is it wrong livelihood to pick up cherries?
Picking cherries is not a wrong livelihood as long as you are not the one spraying the pesticides.
Spraying pesticides is a wrong livelihood as it harms others (by doing activities which do not fall ...
5
votes
Sequence in the noble eightfold path
Right view is the leader ('forerunner') of the path.
When you realize idle chatter leads to more dukkha, this is right view leading your speech.
When the mind maintains right speech in communication, ...
- 42.8k
5
votes
Accepted
Everything I do is motivated by greed/aversion. How to react?
It is actually a nice realization, to see oneself like you did. I remember when I got mine, I was about 20 - and I was shocked to realize all my re-actions were motivated by desire to make myself look ...
- 58.9k
4
votes
Accepted
The Buddha And The Beggar Story
Presumably the "8 requisites" of a monk, i.e. the 8 items that a monk is allowed and needs: 3 robes, an alms bowl, a waistband, a razor, a sewing kit and a water strainer.
- 47.1k
4
votes
Hosting people who are making me feel angry
This is my personal favorite. I have had this happen so many times although the victim was my mother who had to do a lot of things and I contributed a bit in a constructive fashion. This seems to be a ...
- 2,242
4
votes
Why is it that Buddhist monks are strongly associated with beggars?
The monks are trained to be humble to lessen the stranglehold of ego and the defilments. When the Buddha addresses the monks in the suttas he calls them "Bhikkus" in Pali that means "Beggars" in ...
- 7,240
4
votes
Accepted
To what extend should I keep doing useless stuff with my friends?
You are not causing suffering to others. They cause their own suffering if they want you to get drunk with them & you refuse. You should always have metta (friendship) towards old friends but this ...
- 42.8k
4
votes
Possible for worldling to practice the Ariyamagga, to walk it?
I think that to ask "Is it possible for a worldling to walk the path?" is similar to asking "Is it possible for a person to become enlightened?"
I think the usual answer to the latter question is ...
- 47.1k
4
votes
Threefold division of noble eightfold path
The forerunner of the path is right view (MN117) and basically this means that you must understand something about Buddhism correctly before starting to practise.
However, the rest of the practice of ...
- 37.5k
4
votes
Is meditation necessary in Buddhism?
My teacher said, the key difference between those Buddhists that only speculate based on the theories they read in books, and those Buddhists that actually know what they are talking about, is ...
- 58.9k
4
votes
Is the Noble Eightfold Path a path of celibacy?
And what is right action?
Katamo ca, bhikkhave, sammākammanto?
Avoiding killing living creatures, stealing, and sexual activity.
Yā kho, bhikkhave, pāṇātipātā veramaṇī, adinnādānā veramaṇī, ...
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4
votes
Is the Noble Eightfold Path a path of celibacy?
No, the canonical definition of the Eightfold Path does NOT include any explicit mention of celibacy. The actual language is both broader and goes further than mere sexual abstinence.
The right ...
- 58.9k
4
votes
The Noble Eightfold Path for monks and for lay disciples?
OP: Does it imply that lay followers still engaging in the sexual act while monks giving it up are both following the Noble eightfold
path ? Or would there be yet a reason for such a distinction in
...
- 37.5k
3
votes
Why is it that Buddhist monks are strongly associated with beggars?
This is tradition of past Buddhas how to live on laypeople donation, the future Buddhas will follow this pure path, less effort on living. Because it is not appropriate Buddha will plough his own farm,...
- 1,119
3
votes
Accepted
Why is it that Buddhist monks are strongly associated with beggars?
You ask about "strong affinity in media". You don't say what country/language you're asking about, but might it be viewed though a western/christian perspective?
I think of monks as doing "alms ...
- 47.1k
3
votes
According to the Noble Eightfold Path, is it poor practice to speak poorly in solitude?
Right Speech in the Noble Eightfold Path certainly refers to not saying anything that harm others and self. However, as a 'morality' factor of the path, it would seem Right Speech is about words ...
- 42.8k
3
votes
Everything I do is motivated by greed/aversion. How to react?
just out of the bat - study hard can equal getting a good job than you can donate a lot of money to people .... you can do better work in whatever occupation you choice and help people more
...
- 1,470
3
votes
Everything I do is motivated by greed/aversion. How to react?
One may find as meditation practices continue, outlook, views, and motivations can change as well. This is encouraging. What was once seen as a feed for the ego becomes food for compassion. Metta ...
- 409
3
votes
Everything I do is motivated by greed/aversion. How to react?
Here is a slightly narrower answer.
The three examples you gave (i.e. "be top of your class", "impress people with your piano playing", and "work hard to be admired") are, I think, more specifically, ...
- 47.1k
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