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Buddhism

Q&A for people practicing or interested in Buddhist philosophy, teaching, and practice

Latest Questions

2 votes
2 answers
160 views
What is the method for "Coupling of the Serenity and Insight Powers" referred to in the Path of Discrimination?
Visuddhimagga (English translation by Bhikkhu Nanamoli) XXII.46 quotes from the Path of Discrimination (Patisambidhamagga) as follows:- > **"Coupling of the *Powers'***. At the time of developing the eight mundane attainments the serenity power is in excess, while at the time of developing the conte...
Visuddhimagga (English translation by Bhikkhu Nanamoli) XXII.46 quotes from the Path of Discrimination (Patisambidhamagga) as follows:- > **"Coupling of the *Powers'***. At the time of developing the eight mundane attainments the serenity power is in excess, while at the time of developing the contemplation of impermanence, etc., the insight power is in excess. But at the Noble Path moment they occur coupled together in the sense that neither one exceeds the other" The quote concludes by stating > "He develops serenity and insight coupled together in the sense of emergence (Patisambidhamagga ii,98)". My understanding of the above is that the **yogi needs to develop** the method to ensure that coupling occurs at the Noble Path Moment. My question is anyone able to throw some light on this coupling from the scriptures or from some other source or from personal experience? Discovered later that a possible answer to this question may be found in "Foundations of Tibetan Mysticism" pdf by Lama Govinda' p. 175. where reference is made to three zones viz. Earth (materiality), Universe and Human. The Human Zone is the plane of ''individual realization in which the forces of the earth and the universe become conscious in the human soul as an ever present and deeply felt reality'. If Earth and Universe could be related to Samatha and Vipassana we may be homing in on a solution to a problem that has bedeviled many a good yogi-that of coupling (yuganaddha) both these entities to realize Nibbana. Would appreciate a feedback, especially from those who are familiar with Vajrayana and ''Buddhist Kundalini'' energies.
Devinda Kalupahana (259 rep)
Sep 11, 2019, 05:39 AM • Last activity: Nov 26, 2019, 04:03 PM
2 votes
2 answers
111 views
Without formal refuge?
An unknown contributer wrote >Imo a yogi (homeless) without formal association is more likely to be assumed to be an outcast holding wrong views, unable to get along with 'the contemporary masters'. Therefore it will be difficult lest one makes a living recycling stuff or otherwise gets the money. H...
An unknown contributer wrote >Imo a yogi (homeless) without formal association is more likely to be assumed to be an outcast holding wrong views, unable to get along with 'the contemporary masters'. Therefore it will be difficult lest one makes a living recycling stuff or otherwise gets the money. How about a layperson. How will he/she be assumed if unknown, without face, name, without formal refuge and renewing? Whould't he/she not merely need to live just from recycling stay, or from improper ways to gain the Dhamma? Maybe worthy to give reflective answer. *[note that this isn't giving for trade, exchange or stocks but toward release from a wheel]*
user11235
Nov 18, 2019, 01:41 PM • Last activity: Nov 26, 2019, 01:02 PM
1 votes
2 answers
92 views
Right Livelihood Monastics
Since we know (in some traditions) monks and nuns can't work, what is meant by right livelihood for them?
Since we know (in some traditions) monks and nuns can't work, what is meant by right livelihood for them?
m2015 (1344 rep)
Nov 25, 2019, 11:57 PM • Last activity: Nov 26, 2019, 07:26 AM
1 votes
1 answers
64 views
Relaxation of Mind
I've noticed what limits my activities in the day is a kind of mental saturation. I believe it's a kind of attention fatigue because when I walk in nature, I am more likely after to engage in projects. **Does meditation produce the same kind of relief from attention fatigue? What kind of relaxation...
I've noticed what limits my activities in the day is a kind of mental saturation. I believe it's a kind of attention fatigue because when I walk in nature, I am more likely after to engage in projects. **Does meditation produce the same kind of relief from attention fatigue? What kind of relaxation does meditation on the breath provide?**
user7302
Nov 25, 2019, 01:58 AM • Last activity: Nov 25, 2019, 03:20 AM
4 votes
3 answers
133 views
How to cultivate good
q: > 1) How do you cultivate good? > >2) what is good?
q: > 1) How do you cultivate good? > >2) what is good?
user16793
Nov 17, 2019, 02:41 PM • Last activity: Nov 25, 2019, 01:54 AM
0 votes
2 answers
105 views
Choose option in suffering?
Hair fall suffering.. Breakup suffering. Self criticism suffering. Separation suffering . Not to get what is want . .................................................................................................... Option: 1.run from suffering.(escape from suffering)( drink alcohol) 2.face sufferi...
Hair fall suffering.. Breakup suffering. Self criticism suffering. Separation suffering . Not to get what is want . .................................................................................................... Option: 1.run from suffering.(escape from suffering)( drink alcohol) 2.face suffering.. 3.Effort to overcome suffering. 4.Accept what is suffering.. Your opinion
user17101
Nov 24, 2019, 04:29 AM • Last activity: Nov 24, 2019, 08:36 PM
4 votes
2 answers
132 views
What is "Pattichha Samuppadha" in buddhism
i want clarification about what is "patichcha samuppada" its in "Anekajati sansaram sandhavissam anibbisam Gahakarakam gavesanto dukka jati punappunam" “This tour, this cycle of existence, has run through numerous births without encountering, looking for the builder, the creator of the world and sel...
i want clarification about what is "patichcha samuppada" its in "Anekajati sansaram sandhavissam anibbisam Gahakarakam gavesanto dukka jati punappunam" “This tour, this cycle of existence, has run through numerous births without encountering, looking for the builder, the creator of the world and self. For, repeated birth is painful.” Link
ORBIT (181 rep)
Nov 22, 2019, 09:36 AM • Last activity: Nov 23, 2019, 01:55 PM
2 votes
1 answers
121 views
Who was the King Okkāka mentioned in Sutta Nipāta?
I have come across the following verse from Sutta Nipāta ([verse 305 - P.104][1]) mentioned by Buddha. > Then they composed some Vedic hymns and went chanting to ***Okkāka king***: > “Great your wealth and great your grain, make sacrifice to us with > grain and wealth”. Who was the King Okkāka menti...
I have come across the following verse from Sutta Nipāta (verse 305 - P.104 ) mentioned by Buddha. > Then they composed some Vedic hymns and went chanting to ***Okkāka king***: > “Great your wealth and great your grain, make sacrifice to us with > grain and wealth”. Who was the King Okkāka mentioned in the verse above?
srimannarayana k v (123 rep)
Nov 23, 2019, 09:19 AM • Last activity: Nov 23, 2019, 01:41 PM
2 votes
3 answers
242 views
what is Sakkayaditti whats it meaning
I have read about sakkayaditti https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/sakkayaditti Sakkayaditti means something in Buddhism, Pali. please help me to clarify
I have read about sakkayaditti https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/sakkayaditti Sakkayaditti means something in Buddhism, Pali. please help me to clarify
ORBIT (181 rep)
Nov 22, 2019, 03:37 PM • Last activity: Nov 22, 2019, 07:38 PM
2 votes
6 answers
234 views
Doubts and Meditation
I am usually filled with common doubts (not necessarily doubts towards the dharma). My mind keeps forming thoughts that say: "Maybe things are like *this!* Maybe things are like *that!*" without much certainty. I wonder: **Does meditation help with such doubts, namely by preventing them from arising...
I am usually filled with common doubts (not necessarily doubts towards the dharma). My mind keeps forming thoughts that say: "Maybe things are like *this!* Maybe things are like *that!*" without much certainty. I wonder: **Does meditation help with such doubts, namely by preventing them from arising?** I noticed when I am concentrated in meditation, on the breath, that thoughts rarely arise, and that I'm focused on sensory perception rather than this type of speculation. Hence, does meditation remedy such hesitation and doubtful thoughts? If so does it do so by preventing them from arising? Or, does it do so by another mechanism. Thank you.
user7302
Nov 20, 2019, 03:04 PM • Last activity: Nov 22, 2019, 12:12 AM
1 votes
3 answers
126 views
Buddhism, Symbolism, and Notions
In reading about Zen I see encouragement to question "notions". Understand them as to some extent misrepresenting the things they represent. The map is not the territory. I'm not sure how to interpret that and I can think of a couple different meanings. Consider a statue like The Statue of Liberty....
In reading about Zen I see encouragement to question "notions". Understand them as to some extent misrepresenting the things they represent. The map is not the territory. I'm not sure how to interpret that and I can think of a couple different meanings. Consider a statue like The Statue of Liberty. To some it represents a country with a history of slavery and Jim Crow laws and the statue is a lie. To others, it represents a land of opportunity, an escape from tyranny. To someone else, a statue is just a bunch of copper, the copper itself being made of atoms, the atoms made up of quarks. The statue has no "romantic" or "pessimistic" meaning. Does Buddhism make a distinction between the emotional notions like "freedom" and "tyranny" versus more material notions like "copper" and "atoms"? I could see the distinction mattering in terms of suffering. If you see a statue and it reminds you of unpleasant things, you suffer. If you just look at the statue and just see a bunch of copper, it won't make you suffer. If "All Emotions are pain", then even positive associations with the statue are a painful thing. Neutral associations like "The Statue is made of copper" seems to be of a different substance, a concept more directly "pointing at" what it refers to whereas the emotionally loaded notions in a since "point away". Are both kinds of notions the kinds of notions to be wary of? Even still, are there distinctions made between the two?
R. Romero (209 rep)
Nov 20, 2019, 07:38 PM • Last activity: Nov 21, 2019, 05:56 PM
3 votes
7 answers
723 views
Is an 'Existential Crisis' a necessary condition to start on the path of Dhamma?
The path of Dhamma is a journey towards the end of all suffering through the attainment of Nibbana. The Buddha set out to find the cure for human suffering, but there are so many people around us today, suffering in so many ways. Most of the people end up still finding a cure in the material world....
The path of Dhamma is a journey towards the end of all suffering through the attainment of Nibbana. The Buddha set out to find the cure for human suffering, but there are so many people around us today, suffering in so many ways. Most of the people end up still finding a cure in the material world. There are very few people who are suffering might end up starting to think about life itself as suffering for e.g. philosophers like Schopenhauer. But even these intellectuals don't seem to have come to the conclusion of the need to transcend the mind. As against there are those might not be in a lot of suffering but in an, existential crisis seem to arrive at the path of Dhamma. I am asking, is existential-crisis a pre-requisite and more fundamental human need than wanting to end suffering to start the journey towards Nibbana?
user13135
Aug 16, 2018, 04:31 PM • Last activity: Nov 20, 2019, 11:55 PM
0 votes
5 answers
777 views
Opposite of buddhism
Is there anything considered the opposite of Buddhism? I have guesses and I'm thinking contrasts might give interesting insights. In my limited understanding, the concept of an "opposite" to Buddhism is over dichotomising. I think some meaning might be put to it though if we consider what's offered...
Is there anything considered the opposite of Buddhism? I have guesses and I'm thinking contrasts might give interesting insights. In my limited understanding, the concept of an "opposite" to Buddhism is over dichotomising. I think some meaning might be put to it though if we consider what's offered as "not-buddhism" here The Four Seals of Dharma and consider thoughts, actions, and other deeds which might increase suffering for oneself and others. What are we likely to believe that runs contrary to Buddhism and is likely to cause harm? Possible examples below. For each of Rinpoche's points we have: "All compounded things are impermanent": A negation would be "Some compounded things are permanent." While the opposite would be "All compounded things are permanent." We readily see the opposite is false just by virtue of things being able to move. What things can we consider permanent? If we just postulate the existence of such, what are implications and what destructive actions might they lead to? I draw a blank here. "All emotions are painful": Any contrary to this whether a negation or a precise opposite would probably imply some clinging. If we regard an emotional state as truly representing reality, we are likely to cut ourselves off from reality. Does any emotional state entail a bit of ego, a certain false self distorting our perspective? We also have the dualism problem Rinpoche elaborates. "Everything is empty; lacking inherent existence": He simplifies, The way things appear is not the way they actually are. The opposite would be, appearances are never deceiving. This means we should never doubt our first impressions.Now impressions are often out of context. What we think they are, we think they are, despite other impressions giving us more insight. I think this would increase delusion. "Nirvana is Beyond Extremes": I'm not sure what this means in its original form and have no guesses as to what might constitute an opposite.
R. Romero (209 rep)
Nov 18, 2019, 09:57 PM • Last activity: Nov 19, 2019, 05:43 PM
4 votes
5 answers
5282 views
How is Qi Energy used in Buddhist practice?
Ive seen television programmes and videos of buddhist shaolin monks who perfom incredible techniques such as breaking iron bars with their heads, impaling themselves with spears, throwing needles through glasses windows etc. It was said that these monks create, harness and use Qi Energy which makes...
Ive seen television programmes and videos of buddhist shaolin monks who perfom incredible techniques such as breaking iron bars with their heads, impaling themselves with spears, throwing needles through glasses windows etc. It was said that these monks create, harness and use Qi Energy which makes it possible for them to perform these techniques. I have two questions: - What is this Qi Energy? - Is it a strong and profound level of concentration like the Jhanas in Theravada Buddhism? Thank you for your time. _Click on photos for full size_ [image 1](https://i.sstatic.net/o2w4o.jpg) [image 2](https://i.sstatic.net/cOTtx.jpg)
user2424
May 31, 2015, 07:27 PM • Last activity: Nov 19, 2019, 04:22 PM
0 votes
5 answers
108 views
When we do any moral act on the basis of greed, we get merit or sin
I am hindu. So My mind say if you Will help anyone . you get rewards for example job,beautiful wife, health, Rebirth good place and rebirth in healthy human beings. So I do good act for rewards. This is also my greed .? This is sin? This is good deed?
I am hindu. So My mind say if you Will help anyone . you get rewards for example job,beautiful wife, health, Rebirth good place and rebirth in healthy human beings. So I do good act for rewards. This is also my greed .? This is sin? This is good deed?
user17101
Nov 16, 2019, 05:52 PM • Last activity: Nov 19, 2019, 03:31 PM
4 votes
6 answers
277 views
Why are there so many different paths?
I will admit I am just starting to look into buddhism and such. I am confused because so far I understand that the Satipatthana sutta provides everything anyone needs to become 'enlightened'. If that is the case, then why is there so many different forms of buddhism (including the tantric one) each...
I will admit I am just starting to look into buddhism and such. I am confused because so far I understand that the Satipatthana sutta provides everything anyone needs to become 'enlightened'. If that is the case, then why is there so many different forms of buddhism (including the tantric one) each with various meditation techniques etc? If the Satipatthana sutta (or Anapanasati sutta) are the 'bread and butter' of buddhism, why would anyone need anything else/different to achieve their enlightenment? Its like, if something works then why even bother changing it up?
Jake (41 rep)
Nov 6, 2019, 07:45 AM • Last activity: Nov 18, 2019, 06:25 PM
0 votes
1 answers
126 views
What does ཕལ་པོ་ཆེ། (translated to the Flower Ornament Sutra) really mean?
I am not versed in Tibetan language but wanted to know what the literal meaning of ཕལ་པོ་ཆེ། is, which is translated into either of [these](http://www.thlib.org/encyclopedias/literary/canons/kt/catalog.php#cat=d/k-1-3-1) - The Sūtra of the Buddhas' Vastness - The Flower Ornament Sūtra Those are very...
I am not versed in Tibetan language but wanted to know what the literal meaning of ཕལ་པོ་ཆེ། is, which is translated into either of [these](http://www.thlib.org/encyclopedias/literary/canons/kt/catalog.php#cat=d/k-1-3-1) - The Sūtra of the Buddhas' Vastness - The Flower Ornament Sūtra Those are very different words, so I'm wondering what the essence of the etymology or whatever is. Wondering if one could layout the literal components of the word and how they could possibly be translated.
Lance Pollard (790 rep)
Nov 14, 2019, 11:48 AM • Last activity: Nov 18, 2019, 03:23 PM
0 votes
1 answers
139 views
Arguing of Buddhists?
Q: > Do Buddhists argue over topics? Wouldn't that be unwholesome and view > clinging?
Q: > Do Buddhists argue over topics? Wouldn't that be unwholesome and view > clinging?
user16793
Nov 17, 2019, 04:12 PM • Last activity: Nov 17, 2019, 05:15 PM
1 votes
1 answers
73 views
Sociality and meditation
I had a question. I have been getting deeper into the Buddha's teaching and meditation & I feel awkward to be around or to talk to people, specifically those who do not meditate. > How do I overcome this or is this OK?
I had a question. I have been getting deeper into the Buddha's teaching and meditation & I feel awkward to be around or to talk to people, specifically those who do not meditate. > How do I overcome this or is this OK?
user16793
Nov 16, 2019, 10:36 PM • Last activity: Nov 17, 2019, 04:25 AM
1 votes
2 answers
80 views
Arahants and exersise
Q: Would an arahant get physically exausted if he/she was to exersise, like if they were to run 5 miles? Would this in anyway shake their mind?
Q: Would an arahant get physically exausted if he/she was to exersise, like if they were to run 5 miles? Would this in anyway shake their mind?
user16793
Nov 16, 2019, 09:32 PM • Last activity: Nov 17, 2019, 01:40 AM
Showing page 186 of 20 total questions