Buddhism
Q&A for people practicing or interested in Buddhist philosophy, teaching, and practice
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Is procastinating lengthen the samsara?
I know that good or bad karma lengthen the samsara. Similary, Is procastination / laziness lengthen the samsara ?
I know that good or bad karma lengthen the samsara. Similary, Is procastination / laziness lengthen the samsara ?
Dum
(725 rep)
Mar 8, 2020, 01:13 PM
• Last activity: Mar 9, 2020, 11:21 PM
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What is the difference between the path to nibanna and the path to higher planes?
From what i understand, moha - loba - dosa - ( greed, hatred, attachment, delusion...) are mind qualities and actions that strengthen samsara and are the path to lower rebirth. The opposite is also true, selflessness, compassion, non-attachment, non-self are path to higher rebirth but also nibbanna....
From what i understand, moha - loba - dosa - ( greed, hatred, attachment, delusion...) are mind qualities and actions that strengthen samsara and are the path to lower rebirth.
The opposite is also true, selflessness, compassion, non-attachment, non-self are path to higher rebirth but also nibbanna.
In the highest planes of existences, attachment toward body reduce more and more.
Therefore, what is the difference between the path to nibbana and the path to higher realms since you need to practice the same values and mind qualities to reach them?
ian3111
(145 rep)
Mar 8, 2020, 09:27 PM
• Last activity: Mar 9, 2020, 08:39 AM
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What is the cause of imaginary dialogues in mind?
Most of the time, I have conversations in mind. Most of them, there is person , interviewing me. Other person: *"Why don't you like that ?"* Me: *"I don't like it because ..."* This doesn't happen in real world because it is an egoish thing. What is the cause of this ?. Is this the pride ? How do I...
Most of the time, I have conversations in mind. Most of them, there is person , interviewing me. Other person: *"Why don't you like that ?"* Me: *"I don't like it because ..."*
This doesn't happen in real world because it is an egoish thing. What is the cause of this ?. Is this the pride ? How do I stop this without forcing it ? (I'm aware of these kind of thoughts and I turn the direction when I caught them.)
I am looking for an answer according to the Buddhism.
Dum
(725 rep)
Mar 8, 2020, 02:27 AM
• Last activity: Mar 8, 2020, 04:54 PM
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What does Buddhism say about events that cannot be explained through rational thought?
What does Buddhism say about events that cannot be explained through rational thought (also known as Glitch-in-the-Matrix events)? For example, if I dropped a key in a closed room with nothing else there, what is the explanation for why it disappeared if I go to pick it up and it is not there?
What does Buddhism say about events that cannot be explained through rational thought (also known as Glitch-in-the-Matrix events)?
For example, if I dropped a key in a closed room with nothing else there, what is the explanation for why it disappeared if I go to pick it up and it is not there?
Yash Jain
(101 rep)
Jan 18, 2020, 09:50 PM
• Last activity: Mar 8, 2020, 01:20 PM
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Ultimate reality and tilakkhana
Is it correct to say that the tilakkhana (anicca, dukkha, anatta) is ultimate reality?
Is it correct to say that the tilakkhana (anicca, dukkha, anatta) is ultimate reality?
Guy Eugène Dubois
(2382 rep)
Mar 7, 2020, 04:40 PM
• Last activity: Mar 8, 2020, 02:41 AM
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Reference request: where is this text about abandoning hindrances from?
I found the text below on another site. However, it doesn't say whether the source is a specific sutta, commentaries or something else. Could someone show me the origin? >Six things are conducive to the abandonment of restlessness and remorse: >1. Knowledge of the Buddhist scriptures (Doctrine and D...
I found the text below on another site. However, it doesn't say whether the source is a specific sutta, commentaries or something else. Could someone show me the origin?
>Six things are conducive to the abandonment of restlessness and remorse:
>1. Knowledge of the Buddhist scriptures (Doctrine and Discipline);
2. Asking questions about them;
3. Familiarity with the Vinaya (the Code of Monastic Discipline, and for lay followers, with the principles of moral conduct);
4. Association with those mature in age and experience, who possess dignity, restraint and calm;
5. Noble friendship;
6. Suitable conversation.
https://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/nyanaponika/wheel026.html
user11699
Mar 6, 2020, 09:29 PM
• Last activity: Mar 7, 2020, 09:06 PM
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Spirituality is making me anhedoniac!
I only find pleasure in working on my goals and achieving something every day. Female bodies don't seem much attractive anymore but out of habit I masterbate after every 3 days just for the sake of it. I don't even get an orgasm after ejaculation. It is bland. Boring. And I have lost a lot of attrac...
I only find pleasure in working on my goals and achieving something every day.
Female bodies don't seem much attractive anymore but out of habit I masterbate after every 3 days just for the sake of it. I don't even get an orgasm after ejaculation. It is bland. Boring. And I have lost a lot of attraction for all the mainstream things.
This all have started happening after I did 10 days Vipassana Meditation Course. Everything feels empty.
I only find excitement in my work and time spend with close friends.
Any thoughts? I am worried about my anhedoniac sexual activities as I am still in my 20s
Equanimous_being
(301 rep)
Mar 6, 2020, 06:54 PM
• Last activity: Mar 7, 2020, 05:52 AM
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Is it a bad heavy karma to criticize or give up your guru?
"However it is said in the Guhyasamaja Root Tantra:" "If sentient beings commit an action As grave as the five heinous crimes He [still] can attain the superior Vajra Vehicle, But who from within disregards his master Shall never attain, even if exerted." "That means having given up your guru, criti...
"However it is said in the Guhyasamaja Root Tantra:"
"If sentient beings commit an action
As grave as the five heinous crimes
He [still] can attain the superior Vajra Vehicle,
But who from within disregards his master
Shall never attain, even if exerted."
"That means having given up your guru, criticized the guru, or having heresy or broken samaya with one’s guru. It is not possible to explain how heavy the negative karma is from these things. One who criticizes, hurts, or belittles one’s guru from the heart will not achieve anything in this life; even if one practices one won’t achieve anything."
https://www.lamayeshe.com/advice/killing-ones-parents
Does asking a sceptical question count as criticism? Such as why the guru is charging x-amount for teachings? And giving up a bad guru is it bad? Does it matter if the guru is buddhist or not? Perhaps this only applies to certain types of buddhism?
Erik
(31 rep)
Mar 5, 2020, 03:05 PM
• Last activity: Mar 7, 2020, 12:01 AM
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How to practice vipassana meditation?
I practice vipassana meditation since 2008. My recent experience is breathing can't be noticed. But sensation of the body is present. And thoughts are coming and passing away automatically. Most of the time sensation of the body appears such as pain , dissolves without any discomfort. Thoughts are l...
I practice vipassana meditation since 2008. My recent experience is breathing can't be noticed. But sensation of the body is present. And thoughts are coming and passing away automatically. Most of the time sensation of the body appears such as pain , dissolves without any discomfort. Thoughts are less. Sound can hear but no thoughts on those sounds which were heard.
What is this state?
How to continue from here?
Buddhika Kitsiri
(517 rep)
Feb 4, 2020, 02:54 PM
• Last activity: Mar 6, 2020, 11:01 PM
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What is the difference between panna vimutti and ceto vimutti?
I wonder if the difference has something to do with the permanent destruction (through vipassana bhavana) vs. the temporary destruction (through samatha bhavana) of the kilesas?
I wonder if the difference has something to do with the permanent destruction (through vipassana bhavana) vs. the temporary destruction (through samatha bhavana) of the kilesas?
Guy Eugène Dubois
(2382 rep)
Mar 5, 2020, 08:35 PM
• Last activity: Mar 6, 2020, 05:48 AM
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Can a lay person commit sangha-bedha?(five heinous acts) Anantarika-karma
https://info-buddhism.com/sangha_schism.html “A bhikkhunī does not split a Community even if she strives for a split. A female trainee does not split a Community. A novice … A female novice … A male lay-follower … A female lay-follower does not split a Community even if she strives for a split. A re...
https://info-buddhism.com/sangha_schism.html
“A bhikkhunī does not split a Community even if she strives for a split. A female trainee does not split a Community. A novice … A female novice … A male lay-follower … A female lay-follower does not split a Community even if she strives for a split. A regular bhikkhu, of common affiliation, standing in the same territory splits the Community.” — Cv.VII.5.1
It seems from this scripture that only a monk can commit this heinous karma/sangha bedha?(Anantarika-karma)
Is this rightly understood by me?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anantarika-karma
Take Care
Erik
(31 rep)
Mar 4, 2020, 06:37 PM
• Last activity: Mar 6, 2020, 12:50 AM
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Are impressions or vasanas found in the Pali Canon?
According to [this answer][1]: > **Kilesa has a residual impression which is called vāsanā which even > arhats have. Only a Buddha eliminates that**. This is what drives > habits. Many habits are reflexive and there no much thoughts of the > intention behind it. If it is purely reflexive it does not...
According to this answer :
> **Kilesa has a residual impression which is called vāsanā which even
> arhats have. Only a Buddha eliminates that**. This is what drives
> habits. Many habits are reflexive and there no much thoughts of the
> intention behind it. If it is purely reflexive it does not have karmic
> consequences.
Are *vasana* or residual impressions found in the Pali Canon? Preferably in the Sutta Pitaka.
What about the statement that arhats or arahants still have vasanas, but Buddha does not? Is this also in the Pali Canon?
Would arahants still have impressions although they had eliminated latent tendencies (*anusaya*)?
ruben2020
(40846 rep)
Oct 6, 2019, 06:41 AM
• Last activity: Mar 4, 2020, 11:02 AM
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Deload weeks for meditation
I like to go to the gym and lift weights. If you do that you are recommended to take deload weeks where periodically you lift lighter weights or less frequently or both. It's meant to be very beneficial. Could the same be said for meditation practice? Has any teacher / book recommended something sim...
I like to go to the gym and lift weights. If you do that you are recommended to take deload weeks where periodically you lift lighter weights or less frequently or both. It's meant to be very beneficial.
Could the same be said for meditation practice? Has any teacher / book recommended something similar? Could periodically taking it easy (less frequently or shorter sits) benefit the practice generally? The advice I've seen seems to be the opposite i.e. the answer to poor meditation is more meditation. That kind of thing hasn't worked for me in the past and has actually caused me to go from poor meditation to no meditation.
I do appreciate lifting weights and meditation are different though.
Crab Bucket
(21199 rep)
Mar 3, 2020, 09:39 PM
• Last activity: Mar 4, 2020, 04:44 AM
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How do mahayana Buddhist sutras describe a realized bodhisattvas?
My question is how do the Mahayana sutras describe the behavioral characteristics of a realized bodhisattva? How does he behave? For example an Arahant is described as having “characteristics that please the noble ones”. Or something like that. Is there something similar in mahayana Buddhist sutras?
My question is how do the Mahayana sutras describe the behavioral characteristics of a realized bodhisattva? How does he behave? For example an Arahant is described as having “characteristics that please the noble ones”. Or something like that. Is there something similar in mahayana Buddhist sutras?
Malik A
(143 rep)
Mar 2, 2020, 04:36 PM
• Last activity: Mar 3, 2020, 10:02 PM
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How do you recognize the attainment of enlightenment?
In the Buddhist story of Ananda, Buddha's most devoted disciple, it's said that after Buddha's death the first Buddhist council was assembled to write down all of Buddha's teachings. Only those that were enlightened could attending the council. As the person who was closest to the Buddha, Ananda kne...
In the Buddhist story of Ananda, Buddha's most devoted disciple, it's said that after Buddha's death the first Buddhist council was assembled to write down all of Buddha's teachings.
Only those that were enlightened could attending the council. As the person who was closest to the Buddha, Ananda knew best the teachings of the Buddha, but because he wasn't enlightened he could not attend.
So Ananda started an intense meditation and became enlightened just before the council took place.
How did he knew he became enlightened? How do you recognize when your practice finally brings you enlightenment?
Pips
(149 rep)
Mar 3, 2020, 10:18 AM
• Last activity: Mar 3, 2020, 04:41 PM
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Can trying to control the mind also lead to attachment?
When we become attached to our body, we do workouts, wear make-up and do lots of other things to gain good looks. When we become attached to our money, we work to get more and more money. Similarly, we would like to gain a calm and pure mind. So we meditate. Isn't it a desire? (like wearing make-up...
When we become attached to our body, we do workouts, wear make-up and do lots of other things to gain good looks.
When we become attached to our money, we work to get more and more money.
Similarly, we would like to gain a calm and pure mind. So we meditate. Isn't it a desire? (like wearing make-up for the mind?).
Here is my opinion: to understand advanced topics like "enlightenment", we have to have a workout for the mind. Is this workout a kind of attachment and if so is it a good thing? Isn't that a seeming contradiction since we are instructed to abandon attachments?
Dum
(725 rep)
Mar 3, 2020, 11:09 AM
• Last activity: Mar 3, 2020, 02:57 PM
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Is lazyness a killer?
If so, in how far is it a killer, a quality that harms? How does it arises, when arising? How does it vanish? *[Note that this isn't given/asked for trade, exchange, stakes or other layziness supporting means but for liberation]*
If so, in how far is it a killer, a quality that harms?
How does it arises, when arising? How does it vanish?
*[Note that this isn't given/asked for trade, exchange, stakes or other layziness supporting means but for liberation]*
user11235
Mar 2, 2020, 07:59 AM
• Last activity: Mar 3, 2020, 11:12 AM
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Is it bad karma to think but not claim that one is enlightened, or just bad for your practice?
Is it bad karma to think but not claim that one is enlightened, or just bad for your practice? With respect to the latter, the Surangama Sutra springs to mind, and its advice for dealing with unusual states during meditation. Similarly, Tientai taught that without understanding we unenlightened peop...
Is it bad karma to think but not claim that one is enlightened, or just bad for your practice? With respect to the latter, the Surangama Sutra springs to mind, and its advice for dealing with unusual states during meditation. Similarly, Tientai taught that without understanding we unenlightened people are not yet Buddhas, our faith that we are does not work, and we do not experience sudden enlightenment.
But is it actually bad karma, if we don't claim to others to be?
user2512
Oct 3, 2019, 05:10 AM
• Last activity: Mar 3, 2020, 01:02 AM
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Are the Skandhas reborn from moment-to-moment?
Imagine a human being born in 1982 weighing a few pounds at birth and labeled 'Melinda' by her parents. This little human being grows up - as little human beings tend to do - and by 2020 we imagine her as an adult no longer called 'Melinda', but rather change her name to 'Abigail.' If we examine the...
Imagine a human being born in 1982 weighing a few pounds at birth and labeled 'Melinda' by her parents. This little human being grows up - as little human beings tend to do - and by 2020 we imagine her as an adult no longer called 'Melinda', but rather change her name to 'Abigail.' If we examine the bodies of Melinda and Abigail down to the atom and perform a thorough and exact accounting we find that Melinda and Abigail do not share even one atom in common. Their brains are composed of entirely different atoms.
Is the rupa skandha of Melinda and Abigail the same or different? Has it been reborn? What was the manner of its rebirth? How did it occur? How many times did it occur between 1982 to 2020? Is the same true of the other skandhas... have they been reborn? Are they reborn due to 'identification' with an 'I' or due to physical laws or some combination?
Did 'Melinda' *die* sometime between 1982 and 2020 and get utterly annihilated? Was Abigail *born* for the first time from scratch between 1982 and 2020 and just pop into existence from nothing?
How is it possible that beings are reborn from moment-to-moment? In what manner and to what extent? What did the Buddha teach?
user13375
Feb 28, 2020, 06:29 PM
• Last activity: Mar 2, 2020, 05:38 PM
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Food and other cravings, and guarding the senses
1. How do I deal with food cravings or craving in general? According to the four efforts I should replace craving with the disadvantages. Can loving-kindness also work? I feel like concentrating on impermanence and on the disadvantages, in the midst of an emotion, works not as effective. I guess one...
1. How do I deal with food cravings or craving in general? According to the four efforts I should replace craving with the disadvantages. Can loving-kindness also work? I feel like concentrating on impermanence and on the disadvantages, in the midst of an emotion, works not as effective. I guess one needs to strengthen one's conviction in both?
2. I read the Buddha saying about guarding the senses -- but I doubt that the Buddha meant not looking, not hearing (etc) at things. While it can be advantageous, I think perceiving them differently is much more important. Can someone answer what "sense-guarding" means, or "not grasping at the beautiful", and how do I do it?
Val
(2570 rep)
Feb 18, 2018, 01:50 PM
• Last activity: Mar 1, 2020, 06:24 PM
Showing page 172 of 20 total questions