Buddhism
Q&A for people practicing or interested in Buddhist philosophy, teaching, and practice
Latest Questions
1
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1
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Awkwardness in the world
Here is my question: > How does a lay Buddhist respond to awkwardness and how does a monk > respond to awkwardness such as dropping something while ordaining or > falling on the floor?
Here is my question:
> How does a lay Buddhist respond to awkwardness and how does a monk
> respond to awkwardness such as dropping something while ordaining or
> falling on the floor?
user16793
Nov 16, 2019, 08:26 PM
• Last activity: Nov 16, 2019, 09:15 PM
1
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1
answers
58
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Different lyings
Here are my questions: > Can lying be nonverbal? like in action? > > Is cheating lying? > > Is writing the wrong answer when you know the correct answer lying? > > Is skipping the line cheating, and in a sense lying? > > If I break a promise, is that lying or in anyway kammically bad?
Here are my questions:
> Can lying be nonverbal? like in action?
>
> Is cheating lying?
>
> Is writing the wrong answer when you know the correct answer lying?
>
> Is skipping the line cheating, and in a sense lying?
>
> If I break a promise, is that lying or in anyway kammically bad?
user16793
Nov 16, 2019, 08:23 PM
• Last activity: Nov 16, 2019, 08:55 PM
1
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1
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62
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Not doing anything
q: > Is not doing anything in a situation and just being mindful breaking > any of the precepts?
q:
> Is not doing anything in a situation and just being mindful breaking
> any of the precepts?
user16793
Nov 16, 2019, 08:33 PM
• Last activity: Nov 16, 2019, 08:49 PM
3
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6
answers
881
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Is Mindfulness the Opposite of Multitasking?
I realized that my use of social media always involves doing something else, and if I am on the internet I might also be on social media. Thus, I am always multitasking seemingly. **How does the mind process multitasking? Is it possible to be mindful of each task (e.g. *social media* and *writing a...
I realized that my use of social media always involves doing something else, and if I am on the internet I might also be on social media. Thus, I am always multitasking seemingly.
**How does the mind process multitasking? Is it possible to be mindful of each task (e.g. *social media* and *writing a text*) one after the other, or is such a thing impossible?**
EDIT: By one after the other I mean for a short amount of time, going back and forth between the tasks.
user7302
Apr 2, 2019, 10:15 PM
• Last activity: Nov 16, 2019, 07:13 PM
1
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2
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427
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Is Vajrayana the fastest and only way to enlightenment? Bön & Shaivism
Why is Tibetan Buddhism the fastest way to enlightenment? What is the difference of Kashmir Shaivism and Nyingma School? Why is Tibetan Buddhism faster and the only way? Tibetan Buddhism developed from traditional Bön and Together with Kashmir Shaivism, and traditional Buddhism was imposed to t...
Why is Tibetan Buddhism the fastest way to enlightenment?
What is the difference of Kashmir Shaivism and Nyingma School? Why is Tibetan Buddhism faster and the only way?
Tibetan Buddhism developed from traditional Bön and Together with Kashmir Shaivism, and traditional Buddhism was imposed to the Bön tradition. Why was Buddhism better than Bön Religion? Why did Buddhism adopted the lucid dreaming of Bön Religion if it was better?
Am I missing something?
HundredSongs
(127 rep)
Oct 12, 2019, 05:58 PM
• Last activity: Nov 16, 2019, 05:45 PM
5
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5
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Who propounded "All doesn't exist" in the Buddha's time?
[SN 12.15](https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn12/sn12.015.than.html) says, > 'Everything exists': That is one extreme. 'Everything doesn't exist': That is a second extreme. Avoiding these two extremes, the Tathagata teaches the Dhamma via the middle We know that by the Buddha's time, the...
[SN 12.15](https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn12/sn12.015.than.html) says,
> 'Everything exists': That is one extreme. 'Everything doesn't exist': That is a second extreme. Avoiding these two extremes, the Tathagata teaches the Dhamma via the middle
We know that by the Buddha's time, the early Upanishads propounded some sort of "everything is existence" or "everything is the Self" doctrine.
But who propounded the latter doctrine ("Everything doesn't exist") in the Buddha's time? Certainly not Carvakas or Lokayatas, who were simply materialists. So who exactly was propounding this during the Buddha's time?
The crow and the coconut
(303 rep)
Nov 9, 2019, 04:07 AM
• Last activity: Nov 16, 2019, 01:21 PM
0
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1
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117
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Samatha while studying
I heard about the practice of concentration. But I work 13 hours per day doing coding. How can I meditate while studying, thinking really deep? I can focus on one static object, but not reading (coding) documentation, write code remaining in one state of completely self center
I heard about the practice of concentration. But I work 13 hours per day doing coding. How can I meditate while studying, thinking really deep?
I can focus on one static object, but not reading (coding) documentation, write code remaining in one state of completely self center
trocchietto
(103 rep)
Nov 16, 2019, 11:44 AM
• Last activity: Nov 16, 2019, 12:21 PM
0
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0
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30
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Should we be vegan?
I am non-vegetarian but since reading through Buddhist scriptures, I felt like going towards Vegan would be prefered approach in order to follow and know Buddhism. Please guide me on this dilemma. Regards
I am non-vegetarian but since reading through Buddhist scriptures, I felt like going towards Vegan would be prefered approach in order to follow and know Buddhism.
Please guide me on this dilemma.
Regards
Pritam
(103 rep)
Nov 16, 2019, 08:26 AM
4
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6
answers
454
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Uncomfortable sleeping conditions on retreat
I was thinking about going to a retreat in thailand called suanmok and then I saw the picture of the bed. A straw mat and a tiny wooden pillow!!! why would they make people sleep like that? It seems like torture to me and so I decided not to go. If the Buddha didn't believe in asceticism why do some...
I was thinking about going to a retreat in thailand called suanmok and then I saw the picture of the bed. A straw mat and a tiny wooden pillow!!! why would they make people sleep like that? It seems like torture to me and so I decided not to go. If the Buddha didn't believe in asceticism why do some monasteries and retreat centres? At the very least I need to sleep comfortably when on retreat. I would just end up sleep deprived and grumpy and not be able to meditate properly anyway. I can't even sleep properly in my luxurious queen size bed with pillow top mattress most nights. Does anyone know of a more comfortable retreat?
Arturia
(2760 rep)
Jun 30, 2017, 09:49 PM
• Last activity: Nov 16, 2019, 12:57 AM
2
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6
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Buddhism and Losing Determination
I noticed that I tend to very well know what I must do, and that I also strive and attempt to do these things, but that often I am filled with a kind of 'defeatism' or 'pessimism'. I know the right way, attempt the right way, but this heavy and saddening discouragement just makes me go: "What's the...
I noticed that I tend to very well know what I must do, and that I also strive and attempt to do these things, but that often I am filled with a kind of 'defeatism' or 'pessimism'. I know the right way, attempt the right way, but this heavy and saddening discouragement just makes me go: "What's the point? It's all futile anyways."
**How would Buddhism describe and remedy such an emotion?**
I feel like this is distinct from not knowing the right way, and not attempting the right way. It's more of a temporary emotion dragging me down, a kind of hopelessness or shame or maybe even self-hatred.
This emotion doesn't always occur, but it occurs enough for me to be held back in my practice. **What should I do?**
user7302
Nov 10, 2019, 10:09 PM
• Last activity: Nov 15, 2019, 01:12 PM
1
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6
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236
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Can the change due to impermanence be considered intelligent?
What is the nature of the change due to impermanence ,is it just a random change or intelligent change ?,are the actions resulting from it considered right action or that depends on the degree of identification that the impermanent person/thing is having towards another person/thing?. The more I wat...
What is the nature of the change due to impermanence ,is it just a random change or intelligent change ?,are the actions resulting from it considered right action or that depends on the degree of identification that the impermanent person/thing is having towards another person/thing?.
The more I watch it I see that sometimes this change or flux is not just random and is intelligent.All the changes happening inside the body and mind do not require a doer but are intelligent.Can the nature or the behavior of the change be also recognized ?.
Omar Boshra
(507 rep)
Nov 8, 2019, 04:31 PM
• Last activity: Nov 15, 2019, 01:09 PM
8
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6
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7259
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How should a Buddhist approach honoring parents who abused them?
As a Buddhist, we are called upon to honor our mother and father. However, how should this be applied in a situation where parents were abusive, neglectful, and harmful? When engaging the parents is often revictimizing? What are the obligations to parents in this situation? Is it their karma to be n...
As a Buddhist, we are called upon to honor our mother and father. However, how should this be applied in a situation where parents were abusive, neglectful, and harmful? When engaging the parents is often revictimizing? What are the obligations to parents in this situation? Is it their karma to be not honored because of their actions?
Sarah
(165 rep)
Jun 14, 2019, 05:34 AM
• Last activity: Nov 14, 2019, 10:58 PM
1
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6
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606
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Law of attraction to reach enlightenment?
This may be a crazy question. But just out of curiosity when we do law of attraction method they say that we can attract money, success or something. Can we attract enlightenment like that??? So in law of attraction we visualize something that we have already got it. Let's say if I wanna be an actor...
This may be a crazy question. But just out of curiosity when we do law of attraction method they say that we can attract money, success or something.
Can we attract enlightenment like that???
So in law of attraction we visualize something that we have already got it. Let's say if I wanna be an actor, I visualize myself as an actor getting an award. And the whole universe will work in a way to make me as an actor.
So similarly when I can visualize I have already got enlightenment, do I attain enlightenment.
Sorry if I have mistakes in my question. But just thinking out of the box with this concept.
RBK
(191 rep)
May 8, 2019, 05:46 AM
• Last activity: Nov 14, 2019, 10:14 PM
12
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9
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3399
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How/Why to be moral without believing God or any supernatural entity?
Being believer or **dependent on God** so far in my life, I'm clueless how exactly can I become independent without turning morally Bankrupt? Being devotee I'm automatically moral & lovingly but When I start believing in experience I become somewhat immoral, without any good feelings. **How & Why**...
Being believer or **dependent on God** so far in my life, I'm clueless how exactly can I become independent without turning morally Bankrupt? Being devotee I'm automatically moral & lovingly but When I start believing in experience I become somewhat immoral, without any good feelings. **How & Why** to be moral without believing in supernatural entity like God? What are the ways to become independent because I want to be moral without being devotee or dependency on the God?
user10804
Jul 13, 2017, 04:57 PM
• Last activity: Nov 14, 2019, 01:13 AM
1
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1
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The World • It Disintegrates
Friends, I am looking for a sutta from the Pali Canon wherein the Buddha, expounding the nature of the *world*, goes somewhat like this : > And what is the world ? That which disintegrates is the world. That’s why we call it is called 'the world'. Thank you for your very much appreciated help. With...
Friends, I am looking for a sutta from the Pali Canon wherein the Buddha, expounding the nature of the *world*, goes somewhat like this :
> And what is the world ? That which disintegrates is the world. That’s why we call it is called 'the world'.
Thank you for your very much appreciated help.
With gratitude.
Fabien Todescato
(577 rep)
Nov 13, 2019, 04:23 PM
• Last activity: Nov 13, 2019, 04:36 PM
2
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3
answers
164
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A Problem in Need of an Answer
Through many of Yuttadhammo's videos and accesstoinsight, I have learned a vast amount of knowledge on the Buddha's teachings. But I feel like I am causing myself problems. > 1) I keep on questioning everything I learn in the Dhamma & expanding > on my questions through my answers and so on, how can...
Through many of Yuttadhammo's videos and accesstoinsight, I have learned a vast amount of knowledge on the Buddha's teachings. But I feel like I am causing myself problems.
> 1) I keep on questioning everything I learn in the Dhamma & expanding
> on my questions through my answers and so on, how can I stop this from
> happening? How can I limit my questions or is there anything taught by
> the Buddha or in Yuttadhammo's tradition to help me?
>
> 2) As I have learned a lot (but definitely not all) from the Buddha's
> Dhamma, I keep on wanting to write down all that I learn but to keep
> it for myself on remembering the teaching, and I keep on writing long
> essays then rewriting and editing and adding and shrinking and adding
> and so on. I continue to do so and I feel like this is a problem, how
> can I cope with only knowing the teaching in my head than writing it
> all I learn down or is this not really a problem?
Please help! Metta
user16793
Nov 13, 2019, 04:53 AM
• Last activity: Nov 13, 2019, 02:50 PM
0
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2
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227
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Awe in Buddhism
Contemporary psychology and neuroscience keep finding benefits to the emotion of *awe*, which appears as a spiritual emotion given it makes one more prosocial and less attached to material objects. **Does Buddhism talk in any way about this emotion?**
Contemporary psychology and neuroscience keep finding benefits to the emotion of *awe*, which appears as a spiritual emotion given it makes one more prosocial and less attached to material objects.
**Does Buddhism talk in any way about this emotion?**
user7302
Nov 13, 2019, 12:23 AM
• Last activity: Nov 13, 2019, 02:45 PM
2
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3
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164
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"true love", compassion and suffering
[According to][1] Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, "true love" has four elements: 1. Loving kindness: this produces a lot of joy and happiness. 2. Compassion: it makes us and the other people suffer less. 3. Joy: "If love does not generate joy, it is not [true] love." 4. Inclusiveness: "In true love ther...
According to Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, "true love" has four elements:
1. Loving kindness: this produces a lot of joy and happiness.
2. Compassion: it makes us and the other people suffer less.
3. Joy: "If love does not generate joy, it is not [true] love."
4. Inclusiveness: "In true love there is no frontier between the one who loves and the one who is loved."
I'd like to focus on "compassion" here. Don't people who are more compassionate suffer more because they experience the suffering of other people in some sense? So aren't the elements 2 and 3 as mentioned above contrary to each other?
I think this question is related but not identical to another question asked before: https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/questions/18619/love-and-caring-is-suffering .
apadana
(121 rep)
Nov 13, 2019, 09:44 AM
• Last activity: Nov 13, 2019, 02:35 PM
2
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3
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647
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What does zen have to do with spontaneity?
Someone told me that I don't need to read about Dogens teachings of zen. They said that "zen is just about being spontaneous and free from rules." Are they right? Why or why not? Is it deeper than just being spontaneous?
Someone told me that I don't need to read about Dogens teachings of zen. They said that "zen is just about being spontaneous and free from rules." Are they right? Why or why not? Is it deeper than just being spontaneous?
Jessica
(21 rep)
Nov 12, 2019, 10:35 AM
• Last activity: Nov 13, 2019, 02:23 PM
0
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1
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49
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Compassion Meditation's Efficiency
In compassion meditation (*metta-bhavana*), **does the strength of the effect depend mainly on *concentration*?** Or are there other factors involved as well? Thank you.
In compassion meditation (*metta-bhavana*), **does the strength of the effect depend mainly on *concentration*?** Or are there other factors involved as well?
Thank you.
user7302
Nov 13, 2019, 12:12 PM
• Last activity: Nov 13, 2019, 01:39 PM
Showing page 187 of 20 total questions