Buddhism
Q&A for people practicing or interested in Buddhist philosophy, teaching, and practice
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Is this noble right view? - "There is no mother or father, without the self"
The right view of the Noble Ones is described here as: "There is no mother and father, without the self." Buddha describes wrong view here: “And what, bhikkhus, is wrong view? ‘There is nothing given, nothing offered, nothing sacrificed; no fruit or result of good and bad actions; no this world, no...
The right view of the Noble Ones is described here as:
"There is no mother and father, without the self."Buddha describes wrong view here:
“And what, bhikkhus, is wrong view? ‘There is nothing given, nothing offered, nothing sacrificed; no fruit or result of good and bad actions; no this world, no other world; no mother, no father; no beings who are reborn spontaneously; no good and virtuous recluses and brahmins in the world who have realised for themselves by direct knowledge and declare this world and the other world.’ This is wrong view. MN 117Is it possible to turn this wrong view into the right view of the Noble Ones by adding "without the self?"
“And what, bhikkhus, is right view of the Noble Ones? ‘There is nothing given without the self, nothing offered without the self, nothing sacrificed without the self; no fruit or result of good and bad actions without the self; no this world without the self, no other world without the self; no mother, no father without the self; no beings who are reborn spontaneously without the self; no good and virtuous recluses and brahmins in the world who have realised for themselves by direct knowledge and declare this world and the other world without the self.’ This is right view of the Noble Ones."Is this an accurate description of the right view that is noble, taintless, supramundane, a factor of the path?
user13375
Oct 19, 2023, 07:16 PM
• Last activity: May 30, 2025, 10:44 AM
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is chocolate an allowable after noon?
i recently went to a meeting with some bhikkhus, and they served the monks a small dish with butter slices and little chocolate squares... i think it was dark chocolate if that matters. So anyway, i was suprised to see it and was wondering other views on this. and the underlying point to the questio...
i recently went to a meeting with some bhikkhus, and they served the monks a small dish with butter slices and little chocolate squares... i think it was dark chocolate if that matters.
So anyway, i was suprised to see it and was wondering other views on this.
and the underlying point to the question... i am obviously looking for loop holes for a snack-ish type thing before bed.
A Nonimous
(836 rep)
Sep 9, 2014, 12:16 AM
• Last activity: May 30, 2025, 08:56 AM
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If a Buddhist believes lay life is not ideal for the practice, why does he or she continue?
Usually in the evening, when I am about to retire, I commit myself to finding and entering into a residential Sangha permanently. When morning rolls in, I fall back into my usual patterns like work, hobbies, social, etc. Usually when I suffer, this emboldens me to seek the monastic life but usually...
Usually in the evening, when I am about to retire, I commit myself to finding and entering into a residential Sangha permanently.
When morning rolls in, I fall back into my usual patterns like work, hobbies, social, etc.
Usually when I suffer, this emboldens me to seek the monastic life but usually doesn't last very long.
When I think about it, I feel like the monastic life is the only way to proceed yet I don't follow through with it.
Speaking from a general point-of-view, if a Buddhist knows that the lay life is not ideal, what barriers (overt and inconspicuous) are preventing them from seeking and living the monastical life. How can they be overcomed ?
jmagunia
(1353 rep)
Dec 11, 2014, 11:15 PM
• Last activity: May 29, 2025, 05:24 PM
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Are there any systematic developments, medieval or modern, of Upadana and Tanha in Mahayana?
At the risk of being overly simplistic, it seems that Mahayana traditions have dedicated their intellectual efforts to developing the idea of **Emptiness (śūnyatā)**, starting from Nagarjuna, through Dogen, and extending to the modern Kyoto School. - As you might notice, these examples are biased to...
At the risk of being overly simplistic, it seems that Mahayana traditions have dedicated their intellectual efforts to developing the idea of **Emptiness (śūnyatā)**, starting from Nagarjuna, through Dogen, and extending to the modern Kyoto School.
- As you might notice, these examples are biased towards the Japanese branch, which I'm personally more interested in, but other examples also exist, of course.
I was trying to locate medieval or modern Mahayanic systematic discussions of **Upādāna** and **Taṇhā**. I was hoping that these ideas were discussed and interpreted in light of the emptiness idea. However, it seems that they have lost intellectual focus.
- If it's indicative of anything, the Wikipedia page for Upādāna says the Japanese is "shu", and the one for Taṇhā says the Japanese is "katsu ai". But I couldn't find any meaningful results using these terms in the context of Buddhism.
Are there any notable examples of systemaic discussions of Upādāna and Taṇhā in Mahayana Buddhism (particularly within Japanese traditions)?
OfirD
(245 rep)
May 11, 2025, 09:38 PM
• Last activity: May 29, 2025, 12:31 AM
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What is the difference between concentration and mindfulness practice ?
I am new to buddhism and meditation (I have been practising it for one month now), and despite finishing my fourth book on the matter, I am still very unclear about what a meditation session should look like when practicing either concentration or mindfulness. From what I understood, each of these p...
I am new to buddhism and meditation (I have been practising it for one month now), and despite finishing my fourth book on the matter, I am still very unclear about what a meditation session should look like when practicing either concentration or mindfulness.
From what I understood, each of these practices are clearly differents and even have different pali names (Samatha and Vipassana if I am right ?).
I can already tell that I can't differenciate concentration and mindfulness.
When I focus on my breath, I am naturally distracted by all kind of things which I have to be mindfull of (the way my body feels, the sounds I ear, what I smell from the kitchen, my thoughts and emotions).
And when I try to practice mindfulness, I can't help but focusing on my breath, because it is often the first thing that I can notice in that state, and it is always present.
When I start my meditation I focus on my breath, then if something happens I try to be mindfull of it, and then I focus on my breath again until something else happens, switching maybe every 2 to 10 seconds.
I am wondering why concentration and mindfulness are referred to as disctinct practices in the books I read, as it doesn't make much sense to me. At this point I am afraid that I may be missing something important.
abernard
(617 rep)
Jun 13, 2017, 01:08 PM
• Last activity: May 28, 2025, 10:56 AM
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Music and Buddhism
Why is music (sorta) frowned upon in Buddhism? Or it isn't? For people like me, music really helped me get into spirituality. What I'm really trying to understand here is, is there any specific format or type of music that we're not supposed to listen to, or is it just music in general? -Noob here....
Why is music (sorta) frowned upon in Buddhism? Or it isn't?
For people like me, music really helped me get into spirituality.
What I'm really trying to understand here is, is there any specific format or type of music that we're not supposed to listen to, or is it just music in general?
-Noob here. All help appreciated :)
user12713
Dec 28, 2017, 12:56 PM
• Last activity: May 28, 2025, 10:49 AM
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How do Bodhisattva vow takers avoid stream entry?
According to the suttas in [SN13][1], a [stream enterer][2] (or stream winner or [sotapanna][3]) only has at most, seven remaining lifetimes, before they are permanently freed from suffering. On the other hand, takers of the Mahayana [Bodhisattva vow][4], would forego enlightenment for a very long t...
According to the suttas in SN13 , a stream enterer (or stream winner or sotapanna ) only has at most, seven remaining lifetimes, before they are permanently freed from suffering.
On the other hand, takers of the Mahayana Bodhisattva vow , would forego enlightenment for a very long time (apparently aeons), till they complete the full Bodhisattva training (which I presume is the development of paramitas and the attainment of bhumis ).
However, this implies that they need to avoid stream entry, which could cause them to become released from suffering in seven lifetimes at most.
So, how do they avoid stream entry? Do they avoid it by avoiding the practice of insight meditation (vipassana ) perhaps?
ruben2020
(41204 rep)
Sep 26, 2017, 03:52 PM
• Last activity: May 27, 2025, 12:06 PM
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Learning the dharma from a monk who has created root downfalls/expelled
Being vague for the sake of not speaking divisive or malicious speech. I know of a monk who had sex with nun(s) and was disrobed/expelled (later reordained too) From my perspective, a lay person, would it be wise to not learn the dharma from a person like this who has created such a root downfall (I...
Being vague for the sake of not speaking divisive or malicious speech.
I know of a monk who had sex with nun(s) and was disrobed/expelled (later reordained too)
From my perspective, a lay person, would it be wise to not learn the dharma from a person like this who has created such a root downfall (I don't know the correct term, but broken vows that cause one to be expelled)
I don't mean be harmful to the person either (of course) I just mean should I as a lay practitioner not listen to this person in regards to dharma?
Remyla
(1660 rep)
May 23, 2025, 10:19 PM
• Last activity: May 25, 2025, 09:29 AM
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Can anyone verify this teaching about jhana, from sutta source or personal experience
[From Thanissaro Bhikkhu][1] (embedded time in the link) What I am specifically curious about is about the stopping of breathing in 4th jhana that he explains. For me personally, I have been able to experience weak rapture on command, what I know as a jhanic factor but I didn't even think i had expe...
From Thanissaro Bhikkhu (embedded time in the link)
What I am specifically curious about is about the stopping of breathing in 4th jhana that he explains.
For me personally, I have been able to experience weak rapture on command, what I know as a jhanic factor but I didn't even think i had experienced even the 1st Jhana. I have had some powerful absorption meditations before where I have stopped breathing, and like he said as the end of the question (it's a Q&A section) where people recognize they stopped breathing and kind of "ahhh" then jump out of it. So is that it, is that actually 4th jhana?, is the Bhikkhu incorrect?, is my experience incorrect (you cannot answer that of course)
The way I originally learned the Jhanas were through Mahamudra tantra, where it is explained "the mediator stops breathing resembling a dead person" but I always assumed these meditations where I lost my ability to breathe and subsequently jump out of it were nowhere near even the first jhana, let alone the the stopping breathing like what was explained in Mahamudra teachings.I just thought it was just me having some sort of meditation issue, which of course are myriad and varied for all.
Remyla
(1660 rep)
May 24, 2025, 09:04 AM
• Last activity: May 24, 2025, 08:28 PM
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Who is Vishnu deva according to Buddhism?
Some Buddhists refer to Vishnu as Vasavatti Māra Deva. Others say that Upulvan Deva is Vishnu, and some say **Varuna** Deva is Vishnu. So who exactly is Vishnu? Is he Māra or a Deva? In Hinduism, Vishnu is known as the one who holds the chakraudha (sudhssana chakra). Upulvan deva consider as protect...
Some Buddhists refer to Vishnu as Vasavatti Māra Deva. Others say that Upulvan Deva is Vishnu, and some say **Varuna** Deva is Vishnu. So who exactly is Vishnu? Is he Māra or a Deva? In Hinduism, Vishnu is known as the one who holds the chakraudha (sudhssana chakra).
Upulvan deva consider as protector of sri Lanka Buddhist people say sri Lankan misunderstood Vishnu as upulvan. Some say both are same deva.
So who is Vishnu....
Alistaire
(354 rep)
May 4, 2025, 09:13 AM
• Last activity: May 24, 2025, 06:22 AM
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Suggest me names of Buddhist masters to write in my book
I am in process of writing a book about buddhists masters. I have following few masters in my mind. 1. Gautam Buddha 2. Bodhidharma 3. Milerepa Please suggest names of other masters to write an essay on each master. It can be from any tradition.
I am in process of writing a book about buddhists masters. I have following few masters in my mind.
1. Gautam Buddha
2. Bodhidharma
3. Milerepa
Please suggest names of other masters to write an essay on each master. It can be from any tradition.
The White Cloud
(2420 rep)
May 19, 2025, 10:54 AM
• Last activity: May 23, 2025, 02:37 AM
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Can pleasure be divorced from craving?
I read the following on the internet: > I came from a Christianity ethical background so i originally thought > sexual desire and masturbation was bad, but in reality all that is > "bad" is the desire itself, which could be desire for sex, or desire > for chocolate cake. It is the same thing "kama-t...
I read the following on the internet:
> I came from a Christianity ethical background so i originally thought
> sexual desire and masturbation was bad, but in reality all that is
> "bad" is the desire itself, which could be desire for sex, or desire
> for chocolate cake. It is the same thing "kama-tanha" As for alcohol,
> same thing, kama-tanha. Though I want to point out the story of
> sarakani SN55.24 explaining that even what is seen to most buddhists
> as a true downfall, alcohol. It itself is not inherently bad/evil etc.
> Kama-tanha is the problem, not the pleasure we can experience from
> sex, booze or chocolate cake!
Can sensual pleasure be divorced from craving? What do the Pali Suttas say about this?
Paraloka Dhamma Dhatu
(48116 rep)
May 19, 2025, 11:45 AM
• Last activity: May 21, 2025, 01:49 PM
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What are buddhist thoughts on masterbation and pornography?
I am single and often indulge in masterbation and pornography. What are buddhist thoughts on these. Does it affect the quality of meditation. What was Buddhas advise to lay followers about them?
I am single and often indulge in masterbation and pornography. What are buddhist thoughts on these. Does it affect the quality of meditation. What was Buddhas advise to lay followers about them?
The White Cloud
(2420 rep)
May 17, 2025, 11:49 AM
• Last activity: May 19, 2025, 11:17 AM
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Bondage in Buddhism: Temporal or Beginningless?
In Buddhist philosophy, particularly within various schools like Theravāda, Mahāyāna, and Yogācāra, the concept of saṃsāra (cyclic existence) is central characterized by suffering, ignorance, and rebirth. A key metaphysical question arises: How did bondage—the state of being trapped in cyclic existe...
In Buddhist philosophy, particularly within various schools like Theravāda, Mahāyāna, and Yogācāra, the concept of saṃsāra (cyclic existence) is central characterized by suffering, ignorance, and rebirth. A key metaphysical question arises: How did bondage—the state of being trapped in cyclic existence begin? Was there a specific point in the past time or cause that marked the start of sentient beings' entrapment?
Or conversely, is bondage considered beginningless, similar to the doctrine held by certain Vedānta schools which maintain that ignorance (avidyā) has no beginning but can have an end?
user29595
May 17, 2025, 01:18 PM
• Last activity: May 19, 2025, 10:58 AM
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Is there a systematic study/meditation procedure in the Thai Forest Tradition?
I have recently been looking into the systematic methods of mediation subjects taught in the Pa Auk tradition and wanted to know if the Thai Forest tradition has a similar systematic course of methods, or if the meditation practice is adapted depending on the student. I do know the tradition is a tr...
I have recently been looking into the systematic methods of mediation subjects taught in the Pa Auk tradition and wanted to know if the Thai Forest tradition has a similar systematic course of methods, or if the meditation practice is adapted depending on the student. I do know the tradition is a traditional teacher (preceptor) student relationship for anyone seriously thinking of taking ordination, from Angarika to full Bhikkhu. I cannot seem to find any information on any of the websites from the tradition on what definite meditation subjects are taught, in what order etc. Other than of course the websites having sources of teachings and I know the tradition is based upon the teachings of the Tipitaka. Compared to Pa Auk tradition which is based upon the Vissudhimagga.
I suppose this is a question for anyone who studies with, lives within or has stayed as a guest for a certain amount of time within the monasteries within this tradition.
Remyla
(1660 rep)
May 13, 2025, 01:58 PM
• Last activity: May 17, 2025, 05:50 PM
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Did the Buddha ever say "What the world sees as pleasure, it is suffering for me"
Did the Buddha ever said something like this: > What the world sees as pleasure, it is suffering for me. What the world sees as suffering, it is pleasure for me. Or something similar in the meaning, in any canonical texts?
Did the Buddha ever said something like this:
> What the world sees as pleasure, it is suffering for me. What the world sees as suffering, it is pleasure for me.
Or something similar in the meaning, in any canonical texts?
Andrea
(291 rep)
May 12, 2025, 03:08 PM
• Last activity: May 17, 2025, 04:56 PM
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Most authentic scriptures in Buddhist traditions
What are most authentic scriptures within the buddhist tradition? Do all sub sects of buddhism believe in the same set of scriptures or are there differences there too?
What are most authentic scriptures within the buddhist tradition?
Do all sub sects of buddhism believe in the same set of scriptures or are there differences there too?
user29595
May 16, 2025, 02:34 PM
• Last activity: May 16, 2025, 04:04 PM
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5
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Is kasina meditation based on the suttas or was it invented in the Visuddhimagga?
Is kasina meditation and other such meditation techniques not found in the suttas (i.e. not taught by the Buddha) and only invented in the Visuddhimagga? Or does it have basis in the Pali suttas?
Is kasina meditation and other such meditation techniques not found in the suttas (i.e. not taught by the Buddha) and only invented in the Visuddhimagga?
Or does it have basis in the Pali suttas?
ruben2020
(41204 rep)
Jul 19, 2021, 04:13 AM
• Last activity: May 16, 2025, 06:53 AM
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2
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How to become a monk in Bangladesh?
I've read some texts on Buddhism and I want devote myself to it. I want to learn meditation. How can I do that?
I've read some texts on Buddhism and I want devote myself to it. I want to learn meditation.
How can I do that?
James Petrov
(11 rep)
Jun 4, 2024, 06:35 AM
• Last activity: May 15, 2025, 12:36 PM
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4
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How should a Buddhist vote?
Looking at the economic turmoil that had been unleashed by a certain leader of a powerful nation, I wondered what factors/guidelines/principles a good Buddhist should consider that are in accordance with the Dharma when voting? While it is true that democracy doesn’t exist during the Buddha’s time,...
Looking at the economic turmoil that had been unleashed by a certain leader of a powerful nation, I wondered what factors/guidelines/principles a good Buddhist should consider that are in accordance with the Dharma when voting?
While it is true that democracy doesn’t exist during the Buddha’s time, I assume that voting like all the decisions that a Buddhist made in life can be either skillful or unskillful depending on their intentions, emotions and mental state at the point of action leading to consequences and repercussions.
So, how would the Dharma advise us in this situation?
Desmon
(3121 rep)
May 6, 2025, 01:43 PM
• Last activity: May 15, 2025, 04:45 AM
Showing page 24 of 20 total questions