9
votes
Accepted
Why would the Buddha refrain from instructing?
I thus wonder, why wouldn't the Buddha wish to show the way to someone clearly mired in wrong view the right path to practice at his first request ?
It's difficult to exactly know what was going on ...
- 9,707
7
votes
History of refuge in the 3 jewels
Taking refuge in the 3 jewels of Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha was recommended by the Buddha as providing protection from certain afflictions. It is specifically mentioned in the Dhajagga-paritta ("...
- 9,695
5
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 ...
- 5,206
4
votes
How does one get closer to Buddha?
In the Vakkali Sutta – SN 22.87 Supreme Buddha said:
He who sees Dhamma, Vakkali, sees me; he who sees me sees Dhamma. Truly seeing Dhamma, one sees me; seeing me one sees Dhamma."
The Buddha is ...
- 9,695
4
votes
May I Still Take Refuge In the Triple Gem?
Sangha here means the monks who preach inline with the teachings of the Buddha. So if a certain monk teaches something that goes against the teachings of the Buddha, it doesn't prevent you from taking ...
- 25.7k
4
votes
Do any modern ("free-thinking") monks or monastic orders discard elements of the Vinaya?
CASE 16. UMMON'S SEVEN-FOLD ROBE
Ummon said, "The world is vast and wide; why do you put on
your seven-piece robe at the sound of the bell?"
Mumon's Comment: When one meditates and studies ...
- 41
3
votes
Feeling a strong connection to Buddhism, but feeling lost on how to continue forwards
I will address a couple of things - but leave the journey to you.
Kelsang Gyatso was trained in the Gelugpa, which itself is a major school of of Buddhism from Tibet. All Tibetan Buddhism is Mahayana....
- 610
3
votes
How to explain that relationship with someone worthy of respect is more than just a friendship?
This is not how it works. You don't beg for respect, you don't demand it. When you deserve respect, it happens naturally.
- 58.3k
3
votes
Is it proper to teach Dhamma to someone wearing a hat?
The following rules are part of the Sekhiya rules of the Patimokkha. The Patimokkha are rules for (Theravada) monks and nuns.
I will not teach Dhamma to a person wearing headgear who is not ill: ...
- 37.4k
3
votes
Accepted
Is it possible to Take Refuge in the Three Jewels, but still learn spiritual wisdom from teachers in other religions?
I have to warn you that if you take refuge in the Three Jewels, and then go to other religions for guidance, there will be suffering (first noble truth).
Well, even if you stick faithfully to ...
- 37.4k
2
votes
Refuge in the modern vipassanā movement (the concept/practice, not the ceremony/commitment)
Check out temples within the Mahasi lineage of Vipassana, or from Sri Lanka or Burma (where Vipassana has a stronger presence). Ven. Sayadaw U Pandita (Mahasi lineage) was among the main teachers of ...
- 355
2
votes
Might be possible to gain highest bliss without a loyal relationship?
For whosoever, Ambaṭṭha, are in bondage to the notions of birth or of lineage, or to the pride of social position, or of connection by marriage, they are far from the best wisdom and righteousness. It ...
- 58.3k
2
votes
Feeling a strong connection to Buddhism, but feeling lost on how to continue forwards
How can I study more Dharma teachings? The book mentions Dharma books which I guess this book would technically count as itself, but are there books specifically for Dharma teachings from Buddha in ...
- 4,706
2
votes
Should we use honorifics when referring to monks?
I feel lay persons should respectfully use appropriate honorifics such as "Venerable" together with the monastic name of the monk or nun, in the spirit of the Buddha's order to the monks in ...
- 37.4k
2
votes
Why would the Buddha refrain from instructing?
Such an answer would generally be painful for the person. The Buddha does not want to cause pain.
However, the person continued to persist asking the Buddha, which proved to the Buddha the person had ...
- 40.5k
2
votes
How do I reconcile the Dhamma Refuge with blind faith?
One can be a Buddhist:
one believes in what is consistent with the teaching
verified by oneself
unverified but believed due to the confidence in the teaching
If one believes what is consistent even ...
2
votes
How does one get closer to Buddha?
You can do Buddhanusathi Bawana. You take each quality of the Buddha and recite the quality mentally:
Buddho – Awakened
Sammasambuddho – Perfectly self-awakened
Vijja-carana-sampano – Endowed with ...
1
vote
Do any modern ("free-thinking") monks or monastic orders discard elements of the Vinaya?
In accordance with the discipline a bhikkhu is prohibited from eating
fruit or vegetables containing fertile seeds. So when offering such
things, a lay person can either remove the seeds, or make ...
- 40.5k
1
vote
Without formal refuge?
Your question is posed mainly from a modern Western/Capitalist perspective where seclusion from economical "responsibilities" for spiritual practice is - to say the least - not encouraged. Also, the ...
- 1,847
1
vote
Is it possible to Take Refuge in the Three Jewels, but still learn spiritual wisdom from teachers in other religions?
The short answer is Yes, you can still take refuge to the three Jewels and follow a spiritual path that does not Contradict nor Deny the three Jewels.
If I were you, I would only be concerned if the ...
- 730
1
vote
How to explain that relationship with someone worthy of respect is more than just a friendship?
Buddhism does not teach blind respect towards authority figures entrusted with responsibilities.
For example, in MN 95, before giving higher respect or veneration to a monk, a lay person is first ...
- 40.5k
1
vote
May I Still Take Refuge In the Triple Gem?
The Sangha refers to the Noble Sangha. The Noble Sangha teach Noble Dhamma. The distinction between Noble & non-noble Dhamma is explained in MN 117:
And what is right view? Right view, I tell ...
- 40.5k
1
vote
May I Still Take Refuge In the Triple Gem?
Please see below. The taking of refuge is in the "ideal" Sangha when considering the accuracy of the teachings, but in the "conventional" Sangha, when considering a debt of gratitude to the "...
- 37.4k
1
vote
Accepted
How does one get closer to Buddha?
Buddha being one of the three jewels, how am I supposed to take refuge in him
I think that refuge-going can be (initially) an expression of gratitude, when (after) you understand dharma and find it ...
- 46.3k
1
vote
Does Jukai imply a student commitment to the preceptor?
Who can actually give Jukai? Who is entitled to?
Anyone can give, but you will receive more benefit if you get it from a realized master you have a feeling of connection with / admiration for. ...
- 58.3k
1
vote
Following the Dhamma without taking refuge
Refuge is the only way of practicing Buddhism. Yes, you can learn about Buddhism before taking Refuge, but if you are serious about Buddhism you cannot progress along the path without taking Refuge. ...
- 11
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible