Apart from watching dhamma talks, reading dhamma books and watching dhamma related youtube videos, and apart from telling yourselves that ' there is dukkha in life and you have to free yourself from the cycle of birth and death', how can one motivate oneself by making Nirvana as the top priority of one's life? I mean how can I change the narrative of the perspective of the story of my own life and humanity at large so that Nirvana is all that remains. How to strive single pointedly towards Nirvana and make all other undertakings of day to day life as secondary?

How do the different groups/sects of Buddhism view attaining enlightenment and living a common life? In other words, do they think it is possible to be a common person and achieve enlightenment? Even for someone who has a family, friends and coworkers that aren't Buddhists?

Possibly the greatest thing in the world that makes my blood boil and my mind to become enraged in Cultural Marxist and SJW offendedness, anger and uncontrollable rage is seeing individuals drinking tea, water or anything else while giving a lecture; be it a secular lecture or dhamma talk. To see someone set up their drink glass or other drinking receptacle simply to give a 30 minute lecture then start to slurp and gulp during the lecture sets my mind on fire as my mind forms the view this is the height of rudeness to the audience and arrogance, elitism and an utter total lack of discipline and self control on behalf of the speaker. As I write this question, my mind is, right now, in this moment, spontaneously born (opapātikā) into Sīlabbata-Parāmāsa-Hell. When Bhikkhu Buddhadasa was alive and a very old man, often on the verge of death, I observed him giving dhamma talks for 90 minutes to 2 hours and he never drink anything. During one series of talks over a number days, when it was reputed his death was imminent, he occasionally lost consciousness (when the translator was speaking) and had to be woken up (and he would continue to the dhamma talk right where he left off). Anyway, after taking a breath or two to calm down, my question is, does the Vinaya forbid drinking while giving or listening to dhamma talks? For example, I recall the Vinaya says things like listeners of dhamma talks should not wear hats, etc. Thanks

Nirvana is the goal of the Buddhist path. The literal meaning of the term is "blowing out" or "quenching". Nirvana is the ultimate spiritual goal in Buddhism. What Does It Feel Like to Be in Nirvana?

So... i turned 15 a few months ago and i discovered some youtube channels that spoke about spiritual ilumination and other stuff,i watched a lot finding myself relating to almost everything there and decided i should try because why not. One day i went to my bed and first i took 5 minutes of controled deep breathes and then closed my eyes and cleared my mind,at that moment i seen "something" from my back like my field of view got bigger. I had my eyes closed but i would still see the things behind me and my room,and all that with my ryes closed. I got scared as this was my very first time experiencing something like this so i opened my eyes. I tryed again after half and hour but i was not calm enough so i went to sleep. The very next day in the morning i went to my desk and had deep breathes again. 5 seconds in and 5 out. Then closed my eyes. After like 1 minute i got really calm but then i started seeing a red thing in front of me. Was looking like a tomato but not perfectly rounded and then my eyes started moving involuntary and then turned down. My 2 questions are : is all i went trough these 2 days good or bad? And why do my eyes move involuntary and turn down. Thanks.

I want to know the proper meaning (a full breakdown) of what this phrase means in Satipanna Sutta. It's in pali. Iti ajjhattaṃ vā kāye kāyānupassī viharati, bahiddhā vā kāye kāyānupassī viharati, ajjhattabahiddhā vā kāye kāyānupassī viharati. Samudayadhammānupassī vā kāyasmiṃ viharati, vayadhammānupassī vā kāyasmiṃ viharati, samudayavayadhammānupassī vā kāyasmiṃ viharati. ‘Atthi kāyo’ti vā panassa sati paccupaṭṭhitā hoti yāvadeva ñāṇamattāya paṭissatimattāya anissito ca viharati, na ca kiñci loke upādiyati. Evampi kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāye kāyānupassī viharati. Especially I want to know on this as well. Atthi kāyo’ti vā panassa sati paccupaṭṭhitā hoti yāvadeva ñāṇamattāya paṭissatimattāya anissito ca viharati, na ca kiñci loke upādiyati.

In short, if i practice Vipassana meditation does it means i practice Satipatthana?

Is there a relation between Buddhism and Astrology? Is Astrology present in all Buddhist traditions? Did the Buddha or his disciples make use of Astrology?

I know there are the miracles of the historical Buddha and the Samannaphala Sutta, but is there a comprehensive list of Suttas that mention supranormal power(s)?

When choosing between the contemplative traditions—Vipassana, Tibetan and Zen, is the following saying accurate? > Zen is for poets, Tibetan is for artists, and Vipassana is for > psychologists (Robert Wright ). This would enable me to recommend them separately to future students of Budhism.

I have heard something called "Mangala Sakwala" (The special universe or galaxy where lord Buddhas are born) This is a real puzzle for me because does it mean that there are many other worlds like this where the words of lord Buddha will never reach? If such places exist what causes a being to be born there instead of here? For example if i die now and get a birth as a human what would cause me to be born here (This galaxy/universe) or there (the unknown galaxy/universe)? The exact word ( "parallel universes" ) hasn't being used in Buddhism but if you search you will find stories about Human like or Humanoid creatures who are just like us (Beings in the human realm) but not with the chance to reach Dhamma because Lord Buddhas never born there. I am referring to some Theravada teachings i heard many years ago. Hope someone can help!

Namo Buddhaya, can any one please explain me the significance of Talipot fan in Buddhism ? is it part of any traditional process ? I have seen many photos in internet as Bhikkus holding the Talipot HandFan, some covers their face while chanting. Is there any particular significance ? thank you Reference Images -

I remark that, when I am doing my meditation practice, I am still clinging to want to change the past. To make short, due to parents who had their own special way of education, I had quite a difficult adolescence (little freedom, constant shouting and constant dissatisfaction from my parents despite having quite good scholar results and causing no major problems (no drugs, no smoking ...), constant humiliation from my parents & my peers in middle & high school ). It was unfair and it was cruel. On an intellectual level, I understand I cannot change the past. But on a deeper level, I still wished I could have had a "normal" adolescence. I feel that due to a low level of confidence, I missed some good opportunities. And I am still clinging to this wish during my meditation practice (concentration on the breating). Could you give me some suggestions to help me ? By the way, I do not know if this question belongs in this forum. If this is the case & you tell me, I will delete this question. **Edit after reading & thinking about the answers provided:** First, I want to thank you all. Second, I had some epiphany after reading answers, thinking about them and listing to a meditation which was mentionned in one of the answers. I explain: in the meditation, the teacher speaks about a trip in which he was in a bus for nearly a day. He was stuck in a seat close to a place that was very smelly, and unfortunately, there was no other seat available. He first decided to focus on his breathing, but remarked after a few hours, that this had resulted in building tension. He remarked that he had used meditation to push the uncomfortable situation out of his mind. Once he used meditation to open to the uncomfortable situtation, things went better. And I thought: Oh, this is exactly what I was doing. I used meditation to push uncomfortable thoughts & feelings ouf of my mind. In fact, I realized that I did not want to accept what I had suffered. I thought I had accepted but deep down I had not. So now in my meditation practice, I try to open up to uncomfortable feelings & thoughts. Thank you all

I fail to understand how this teaching would ever help man become productive. Please help me understand this. Not everyone seeks nirvana and some people want to better the world, not only for themselves but for their family and countrymen. They do so either out of desire to reduce others' suffering or by seeking alleviation for their own sufferings. I've read a lot of self help books which emphasize the need for ***desire*** as such, and faith in oneself to achieve that desire. Is that not how every living being functions - driven by desire? Every business that is built is motivated by a desire. Every material possession is obtained through desire. We can extrapolate that to the spiritual realm by saying that man travels, meditates and watches his thoughts driven by a desire to attain spiritual peace and fullfilment. Thus I ask, how can desire be the enemy? Shouldn't it be greed instead?

According to the Vanijja Sutta on Right Livelihood : > "Monks, a lay follower should not engage in five types of business. > Which five? Business in weapons, business in human beings, **business > in meat**, business in intoxicants, and business in poison. The first precept forbids taking of a life. The ability to freeze, store, transport and sell meat later was not possible in the time of the Buddha. Questions: 1. Is it ok for someone observing the first precept and Right Livelihood, to be a frozen meat retailer, supplier or importer selling frozen meat sourced from elsewhere (but is not involved with the actual farming and slaughter of animals)? 2. Is it ok for someone observing the first precept and Right Livelihood, to work as a cashier or general worker in a supermarket or hypermarket (e.g. Tesco, Target or Aldi) that sells many things including frozen meat? 3. Is it ok for someone observing the first precept and Right Livelihood, to work as an employee in a logistics company (like FedEx) that stores and transports all types of products including frozen meat? 4. Is it ok for someone observing the first precept and Right Livelihood, to work as a chef or waiter in a restaurant that serves meat dishes, using only frozen meat (no live animals)?

Not much more to elaborate than just the question. But the website is making me type more stuff. So here it is.

Both Anapanasati and Vipassana are described as the direct path to Nibbana. What are the main differences along these paths? Does one fully include the other, or do they diverge from each other, or they in a sense parallel to each?

 Namo Buddhaya, I am a student of Buddhism from India, trying to learn more about the Buddhist values and more. My inspiration is Dr B R Ambedkar the great Indian Scholar and social reformer. I have a doubt about the Buddhist lifestyle and custom once I read a news very recently . The news is quoted as below . > Sri Lanka Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and wife Maitree Wickremesinghe reached Kasaragod on a private visit and offered prayers at the Kumaramangalam temple at Bela, near Kumbla, here on Saturday. > Reports quoting temple priest Ramachandra Adiga said Mr. Wickremesinghe and wife prayed for the prosperity of their nation and welfare of their family. >They had offered prayers at the Sri Mookambika temple in Kollur in neighbouring Udupi district in Karnataka on July 26. > **Special pujas** > The Sri Lanka premier and wife were reported to have taken part in special pujas at the temple at Bela. Though Mr. Wickremesinghe had offered pujas at the temple at Kollur during an earlier visit, it was for the first time he was visiting the temple here, the priest is quoted as saying " > [Sri Lanka PM prays at Kasaragod temple](https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/sri-lanka-pm-wife-offer-prayers-at-kasaragod-temple/article28732127.ece) Now my doubt is why a Buddhist follower prays in a Hindu temple ? BabaSaheb Dr B R Ambedkar taught us that Buddhism is a philosophy of logic, reasoning. There is no space for superstitious beliefs or a Supreme GOD who provide virtues due to the prayers . I think it's the general idea of Buddhism and that's in its core . But why then a prime minister of One country goes to another country and do pooja in another religion and prays for the betterment of his own country ?? Thank you

The [Vaṇijjāsutta](https://suttacentral.net/an5.177/pli/ms) : > Pañcimā, bhikkhave, vaṇijjā upāsakena akaraṇīyā. Katamā pañca? Satthavaṇijjā, sattavaṇijjā, maṃsavaṇijjā, majjavaṇijjā, visavaṇijjā — imā kho, bhikkhave, pañca vaṇijjā upāsakena akaraṇīyā”ti. > > Sattamaṃ There are many translations regarding above quoted text, not sure which one needs to be included. But from what I understand, if one raises a pig and kill it in order to sell its meat, this is considered wrong livelihood. But what if the restaurant owner simply buys meats and cook them and then sell them, is this considered wrong livelihood?

I read the following on the internet: > Notice there's a wide spectrum on the Samatha/Vipassana scale, but > even on the extreme spectrum of Vipassana, the "dry-insight", there's > still element of Samatha ( the khanika/Samadhi/Momentary Concentration, > see Ven. Gunaratana's "The Jhanas" for more details ). It is said the Buddhist commentaries refer to Khanika (momentary), Upacara (neighborhood) and Appana (attainment) Samadhi. Are 'samatha' & 'samadhi' synonymous? Does Buddhism refer to Khanika/Momentary Samatha?