10
votes
Accepted
Computers and Buddhist monks, offering computer to monk makes bad karma to both monk and donor?
In western monasteries isn't not uncommon for monks to use computers to teach the dhamma online or write books. However, a monk wont own the computer, you'll be giving the computer to the sangha.
...
- 1,603
6
votes
Why Buddha said "if you want to remove small/light codes from Vinaya"?
If the Buddha had totally approved the removal of certain rules then the Buddha would have explicitly mentioned which ones.
In the 1st Council the monks could not decide what extent was minor rules, ...
5
votes
What is the attitude toward homosexuality in Buddhism?
In respect to the cultural context of the Pali suttas, I have only read references to: (i) parents arranging the marriage of their (pubescent) children (DN 31) &; (ii) sex in marriage between ...
- 42.8k
4
votes
Accepted
Was the prohibition on eating dinner health advice?
I'm skeptical that the Buddha said skip dinner because it's good for your health
Yes if I hadn't read it I'd be skeptical too. It sounds a bit contrary to the primary/normal message: almost as if the ...
- 47.1k
4
votes
Was the prohibition on eating dinner health advice?
My recollection is the rule about not eating after noon was to stop monks going on alms round at inappropriate times of the day, including at night, where they could frighten lay people. You can ...
- 42.8k
4
votes
Are feelings (vedana) always caused by ignorance?
Passa Pacchaya Vedana ~
Paticca Samuppada
Feeling is caused by contact
4
votes
Accepted
Practical advice on not eating after noon
This advice seems relevant (by a gastroenterologist and published in Canada's largest newspaper):
Fasting tips for those with gastritis and peptic ulcer
- 47.1k
4
votes
Accepted
Vinaya Rule of a Monk saying he's an arahant
According to the Patimokkha rules:
Should any bhikkhu, without direct knowledge, claim a superior human state, a truly noble knowledge and vision, as present in
himself, saying, "Thus do I ...
- 37.5k
4
votes
Can a Sikh enter a buddhist temple with a turban?
As a sign of respect and being inline with accepted customs it is best that the person removes the turban.
I guess they might have been allowed in the accommodation of Sikh religious custom of ...
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
4
votes
Accepted
Is fire-making allowed?
See pages 564 and 565 of The Pāṭimokkha Rules
Translated & Explained by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu
Should any bhikkhu who is not ill, seeking to warm
himself, kindle a fire or have one kindled—unless ...
- 47.1k
4
votes
Right situation for Teaching Dhamma or giving advice
According to the suttas, the general principle is to offer Dhamma only when asked (AN 9.5). The Buddha set this example in MN 26, when he waited for the Brahmā Sahampati to ask the Buddha to teach.
- 42.8k
3
votes
Accepted
Vinaya non-offence complications?
The Patimokkha Rules
Translated & Explained
by Thanissaro Bhikkhu, on pages 49 through 50, uses the word "or" (not "and"):
Blanket exemptions. In addition to bhikkhus who do not know they are
...
- 47.1k
3
votes
Practical advice on not eating after noon
From what I think, stomach juices from if you keep thing about food or feel hungry.
Whenever hunger arises if you are equanimous then and do not have this lead to thoughts about food and food craving ...
3
votes
What is the attitude toward homosexuality in Buddhism?
"miccha dhamma" is never about homosexuality, as the comment of the Cakkavattisuttaṃ (DN 26) is wrong.
The word "miccha dhamma" and other two words are also appear in the Palokasuttaṃ (AN.3.56), and ...
3
votes
Accepted
A question regarding the level of worldly participation for a buddhist monk
As a Zen Monk I can answer the question regarding worldly participation in the following way. There is no definitive suggestion or rule within the Monastic Code of a Mahayana Monk. A Monk or Nun has ...
- 184
3
votes
Accepted
The first rule of 8 Garudhammas
The reasons are many:
Males are superior. Males left their homes, lived in forests, attained enlightenment, started the religion, wandered & spread the religion, often at great danger to their ...
- 42.8k
3
votes
Can a Bhikkhu yell at or beat a lay person under the vinaya?
Even torward a cat, insects or non-human, neither insulting nor even beating would be proper and allowable, in cases against humans it might be even seens as heavier then toward a fellow or novice.
It ...
- 195
3
votes
Accepted
How does a forest-dwelling dhutanga practitioner get food?
The page you linked for āraññika dhutaṅga seems to already have an answer:
A "forest monastery" is a monastery situated at least 500 (curved) bows lengths from the doorstep of a house ...
- 58.9k
3
votes
Meals in the afternoon and different time zones
"Should any bhikkhu chew or consume staple or non- staple food at the wrong time, it is [an offence of Confession.]" (Paac. 37; BMC p.362).
Here the 'wrong time' is defined to be from noon until dawn ...
- 25.7k
3
votes
Permission to ordain from absent father
I would speak to the preceptor you wish to ordain with.
There is no need to get a parent’s permission if he/she is no longer
alive or has abandoned the son. From this it can be argued that if ...
- 42.8k
3
votes
Are monastics allowed to wear lay disciple's clothing?
There's some discussion of that here.
Some answers quote references, which point out that the Buddha allowed footwear in the wilderness and take that as permission to adapt to the terrain.
One says ...
- 47.1k
3
votes
How can the Buddha (after he was enlightened) reflect that he was not at ease and then became at ease in seclusion?
Obviously that entire text was authored by someone else, speaking about the Buddha in the third person.
In my understanding, the part about the Buddha leaving the quarreling Sangha is based on real ...
- 58.9k
3
votes
What are the prescription regarding a bhikkhu or a monastery having a lay-attendant?
Go on as a formal assistant to monks, even better as novice or monk, good householder, as it is good if you have ways to associate with the Venerables. The rest is all a matter of individual deeds (...
- 47
2
votes
A question regarding the level of worldly participation for a buddhist monk
In Christianity, priests generally do not meditate. Often, the sole role of a Catholic priest is to preach the religion to devotees.
In Asian Buddhism, the role of many monks is similar, which is ...
- 42.8k
2
votes
The first rule of 8 Garudhammas
There's interesting information provided in this website, which provides some (presumably) anecdotal justification for the rule.
The first story from the Sarvāstivāda Vinaya Suttavibhaṅga is as ...
- 37.5k
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