15 votes
Accepted

Investing in poultry stocks and Buddhism

Honestly I would say that it's not even a grey area. For me, investing in stocks in the meat industry is not in keeping with right livelihood. To quote the Vanijja Sutta in full "Monks, a lay ...
15 votes

Buddhism broke up my marriage

I don't suppose that any of us are qualified to advise you on your marriage or the optimal duration of it. In theory, I really don't think it's fair to say that Buddhist love is non-romantic. The ...
14 votes
Accepted

What is the best strategy to confront Non-Buddhist ideology?

There's an apocryphal Christian story, that I heard or read long ago -- where somebody asks someone else (possibly a Buddhist): Have you ever thought of becoming a Christian? ... to which ...
  • 44.8k
14 votes
Accepted

Am I following Buddhism as a sort of Escapism?

This is a profound question. Somebody may want to delve into spirituality because he is a "loser" and isn't prospering in life. This is not a new concept. In fact, the Ratthapala Sutta ...
13 votes
Accepted

How to bless someone?

If someone is willing to be blessed the Buddha's way, then I could think of no more suitable & special words than the words from the Mangala Sutta that tells us what are the blessings in one's ...
  • 6,998
13 votes
Accepted

As a Buddhist how do I get over hatred towards my previous religion?

Think of the followers of your former religion as people who believe that the earth is flat. There's no point getting angry at them. It's ok to argue with them in social circles if you feel it might ...
10 votes

Is the age of monastic life over? Is it societal conditioning or keeping up with the times?

This series of questions is quite involved and surely a book could be written to properly assess the status of how well a very traditional monastic community is holding up in modern times. But a few ...
  • 9,492
10 votes

Mission on earth (In Buddhism)

This is going to be one of those Zen answers that tend to irritate people. When I asked my teacher this question, he said something like: Mission, hmm... You want to be told what to do? Why? This ...
  • 56.9k
10 votes

As a Buddhist how do I get over hatred towards my previous religion?

Well... I hate to say it (wink-wink)... but... having that rage and seeing that other religion as a collection of "lies" and those people as "liars" does say something about your level of realization ...
  • 56.9k
9 votes

How does one escape suffering when they cannot provide for those they love

The real answer is that one cannot - it is the caring that causes the suffering: Seek no intimacy with the beloved and also not with the unloved, for not to see the beloved and to see the unloved, ...
  • 23.9k
9 votes

Saving for the future

The wise endowed with virtue shine forth like a burning fire, gathering wealth as bees do honey and heaping it up like an ant hill. Once wealth is accumulated, family and household life may follow....
9 votes

Why are buddhists hostile?

When ever you question something that is supposedly controversial, they tell you to read more on buddhism Leaving aside Buddhism even in any forums if you ask some basic questions some may not always ...
8 votes

Loneliness in Buddhism

I am wondering what is the antidote to loneliness, or the approach towards it, within Buddhism. In Buddhism loneliness is viewed and treated exactly as any other undesirable mindstate. What are ...
  • 56.9k
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-...
  • 56.9k
7 votes

Is the age of monastic life over? Is it societal conditioning or keeping up with the times?

What do you think, how many generations shall do that nice life that we have at the moment (do "we"?) Assembling and metabolizing the Dharma should point away from short-term perspectives. The Buddha -...
7 votes

Buddhism view on mercy

Definitely no killing. That's the first among the Five Precept to be observed. Do what you can to help. If it's a large animal, call the local animal shelter helpline. If it's a small animal like a ...
  • 9,648
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 ...
7 votes

Why I'm feeling hopeless about life?

I guess the reason why you were feeling hopeless is that you were anxious about the past, a memory ... but the past isn't something you can conveniently change. You were also anxious about the future ...
  • 44.8k
7 votes

How to tolerate if someone insulting Buddhism?

But at the time when someone insulting Buddhism what to do ? I think you're supposed to remember that people are heir to their own karma. If people insult Buddhism instead of respecting and learning ...
  • 44.8k
7 votes
Accepted

Can Buddhism help me find my passion?

The "passion" you talk about sounds like a craving for something which you haven't defined. Your question seems to be asking, "I crave something (I crave something to feel passionate about), but I don'...
  • 44.8k
7 votes

Loneliness in Buddhism

OP: What are the things that cause loneliness and exacerbate it? I see the desire for companionship as a type of sensual craving (kama tanha). When you engage in social media and obtain the pleasure ...
  • 36.1k
7 votes

What is the best strategy to confront Non-Buddhist ideology?

Telling other people that what they do wrong and even more that what they believe is wrong does not work well. I barely works when supported with facts, but as religion is about belief, it will work ...
  • 171
7 votes

Did the Buddha teach the four noble truths to laypeople?

Ugga, a rich layman, said in a sutta of the aṭṭhaka-nipātā (AN 8.22): With confident heart I paid homage to the Buddha. The Buddha taught me step by step (anupubbikakathā), with a talk on ...
  • 6,068
7 votes

Buddhism broke up my marriage

She is your Buddha, your dharma, and your sangha. Love the world through your love for her. Your marriage is your refuge and your bodhimandala. It is the place where you will awaken - no less ...
  • 349
6 votes

What are the resources a Buddhist can use during very hard times?

In the movie "The Forbidden Kingdom", the main charactrer Jason expressed his fear and anxiety about a dangerous journey of crossing the desert to get the mountains. He shared his thought with the ...
  • 9,648

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