Buddhism
Q&A for people practicing or interested in Buddhist philosophy, teaching, and practice
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Do Buddhist texts record or comment on the then-prevalent varna or caste systems?
Do Buddhist ancient scriptures/texts record or comment on: 1. The then-prevalent varna system? or 2. The then-prevalent caste system (clan-like system)? I understand that Buddhism is based on equality, i.e. I am not saying that Buddhism accepted the caste system. In particular, what I am asking is w...
Do Buddhist ancient scriptures/texts record or comment on:
1. The then-prevalent varna system?
or
2. The then-prevalent caste system (clan-like system)?
I understand that Buddhism is based on equality, i.e. I am not saying that Buddhism accepted the caste system.
In particular, what I am asking is whether buddhist text:
- Records any wrong-doings based on caste system or varna system
- Records whether or not the varna system was birth-based at that time
- Explicitly says that it rejects birth-based varna system/caste system.
Please provide references from such text.
zaxebo1
(160 rep)
Mar 29, 2018, 03:33 AM
• Last activity: Mar 30, 2018, 04:42 PM
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Reference request: the ways of the world
I am looking for sutta text where the Buddha says something like... > The ways of the world will never be finished find your own salvation > with diligence... Meaning, all the politics, hatered, war in this world will always continue you need not heed them and instead you should work towards your ow...
I am looking for sutta text where the Buddha says something like...
> The ways of the world will never be finished find your own salvation
> with diligence...
Meaning, all the politics, hatered, war in this world will always continue you need not heed them and instead you should work towards your own salvation...
user13135
Mar 28, 2018, 05:19 AM
• Last activity: Mar 29, 2018, 10:41 AM
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Does a sexual union with one's body incarnation of an opposite sex count as a misconduct?
According to Mahayana doctrine (at least within Nyingma linbeage), different incarnations of body, mind and/or speech of a same sentient being are possible. By which I deduce that a sentient being of a lower realm could also be reborn into a human realm having, say, two bodies of opposite sexes. Hen...
According to Mahayana doctrine (at least within Nyingma linbeage), different incarnations of body, mind and/or speech of a same sentient being are possible.
By which I deduce that a sentient being of a lower realm could also be reborn into a human realm having, say, two bodies of opposite sexes.
Hence, given the conditions listed, my questions will be:
a) Can a same sentient being be reborn in a human form in two or more body incarnations having opposite sexes?
b) If yes, would a sexual union between, say, two such body incarnations of a same sentient being having opposite sexes in a human form count as a sexual misconduct, provided the other requirements for a proper sexual conduct are met?
Any reference to a sutra and / or abhidharma text would be of a great help.
Manjusri
(231 rep)
May 4, 2017, 09:24 PM
• Last activity: Mar 29, 2018, 10:41 AM
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How can mindfulness be maintained while receiving and processing information?
It seems that when I process information, be it at work or with people in general, I struggle to not be swept into a cerebral/cognitive space. How can this be remedied/avoided?
It seems that when I process information, be it at work or with people in general, I struggle to not be swept into a cerebral/cognitive space. How can this be remedied/avoided?
Warren van Rooyen
(145 rep)
Mar 7, 2018, 02:53 PM
• Last activity: Mar 29, 2018, 05:36 AM
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Why is the problem with the personal pronouns 'I, me and mine'?
[9 Attitudes of mindfulness - Jon Kabat Zinn ][1] [1]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n7FOBFMvXg&t=301s Jon describes these pronouns as problematic because who we actually are is far greater than that. How so? Please detail why the problem lies with the personal pronouns 'I, me and mine'.
9 Attitudes of mindfulness - Jon Kabat Zinn
Jon describes these pronouns as problematic because who we actually are is far greater than that. How so? Please detail why the problem lies with the personal pronouns 'I, me and mine'.
Warren van Rooyen
(145 rep)
Mar 28, 2018, 01:10 PM
• Last activity: Mar 29, 2018, 04:58 AM
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Visions of Hell Realm in Contemplation- What does it mean
Yesterday while reading a book suddenly my mind generated the following visions: I saw a girl in a white dress being tortured in this very unpleasant place which smelled bad and was horrible , I saw her being raped by this creature who looked horrific , again and again these visions came to me in th...
Yesterday while reading a book suddenly my mind generated the following visions: I saw a girl in a white dress being tortured in this very unpleasant place which smelled bad and was horrible , I saw her being raped by this creature who looked horrific , again and again these visions came to me in the night.
What could these visions mean ? Are they trying to warn me of some bad karma ripening. As it is said by many Tibetan teachers that they get warnings of future happenings in dreams. Although this was not a dream.
user68706
(521 rep)
Mar 28, 2018, 10:31 AM
• Last activity: Mar 29, 2018, 01:53 AM
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Statement from visuddhimagga regarding mental and material body
I found this statement in the Visuddhimagga; > They cannot come to be by their own strength, Or yet maintain themselves by their own strength; Relying for support on other states, Weak in themselves, and formed, they come to be; [597] They come to be with others as condition. They are aroused by oth...
I found this statement in the Visuddhimagga;
> They cannot come to be by their own strength,
Or yet maintain themselves by their own strength;
Relying for support on other states,
Weak in themselves, and formed, they come to be;
They come to be with others as condition.
They are aroused by others as their objects,
They are produced by object and condition,
And each by something other than itself.
And just as men depend upon
A boat for traversing the sea.
So does the mental body need
The matter-body for occurrence.
And as the boat depends upon
The men for traversing the sea.
So does the matter-body need
The mental body for occurrence.
Depending each upon the other
The boat and men go on the sea.
And so do mind and matter both
Depend the one upon the other.
The above statement seems to confirm that mind doesn't have occurrence without material body, and vise versa. Both factors are interdependent and seemingly co-exists.
But, once, I heard that one's mind does't end at death of material body: how can that match with the above statement in the Visuddhimagga?
danuka shewantha
(627 rep)
Mar 27, 2018, 01:37 PM
• Last activity: Mar 28, 2018, 05:24 AM
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Can Buddhism be called as Atheist, Agnostic or Theistic?
I am reading this book currently called _Buddhism without beliefs_. In this book the author claims that Buddhism is Agnostic. Now Agnosticism is a claim that you are ignorant, or not sure whether God is there or not. I am sure that Buddhist suttas mention several gods, like Brahma etc. Also most mod...
I am reading this book currently called _Buddhism without beliefs_. In this book the author claims that Buddhism is Agnostic. Now Agnosticism is a claim that you are ignorant, or not sure whether God is there or not. I am sure that Buddhist suttas mention several gods, like Brahma etc. Also most modern scholars promote Buddhism as Atheistic, as there is no central creator. What's your take on this?
user13135
Mar 27, 2018, 03:49 AM
• Last activity: Mar 27, 2018, 04:45 PM
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Buddhist Equivalent to Prayopavesa (resolving to die through fasting)
In Hinduism, when a person is old, bed-ridden and fulfilled all their obligations, they are able to fast to death to end their life. This is called *prayopavesa* and is an acceptable practice in India. I do understand that the first precept in Buddhism says not to kill others which includes oneself....
In Hinduism, when a person is old, bed-ridden and fulfilled all their obligations, they are able to fast to death to end their life. This is called *prayopavesa* and is an acceptable practice in India.
I do understand that the first precept in Buddhism says not to kill others which includes oneself. However, are there certain instances like those mentioned above where fasting to death is acceptable in Buddhism ?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayopavesa
jmagunia
(1353 rep)
Jul 22, 2015, 09:13 PM
• Last activity: Mar 27, 2018, 03:42 PM
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What to do for fasting on full moon?
From this coming full moon I've to start fasting and keep it on, so what I've to practice on this day ?
From this coming full moon I've to start fasting and keep it on, so what I've to practice on this day ?
Swapnil
(2164 rep)
Sep 11, 2016, 05:56 AM
• Last activity: Mar 27, 2018, 03:42 PM
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Why is fasting allowed in Buddhism?
One of the answers to this question 'https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/questions/2303/is-there-a-tradition-or-practice-involving-fasting-in-buddhism-or-buddhist-count' says that fasting is followed by Tibetan Buddhists. Why is fasting allowed since it is as extreme as gluttony and not a middle way?...
One of the answers to this question 'https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/questions/2303/is-there-a-tradition-or-practice-involving-fasting-in-buddhism-or-buddhist-count ' says that fasting is followed by Tibetan Buddhists.
Why is fasting allowed since it is as extreme as gluttony and not a middle way? If I am right, following the path of the śramaṇic and yogic systems which existed at the time of Gautama Buddha, he subjected his body to extremes such as fasting and then realized that such extremes do not help in his enlightenment.
Has the Buddha prohibited fasting in any of his teachings?
Bharat
(1090 rep)
Jun 12, 2016, 05:31 AM
• Last activity: Mar 27, 2018, 03:39 PM
1
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What to do with gathered saliva while Meditating
While meditating today I found that the gathered saliva was bothering me a lot. I do not know why it just came up today. It was distracting and took me away from my concentration a few times . I swallowed it . What should I do when this happens again in the future? How should one keep the tongue and...
While meditating today I found that the gathered saliva was bothering me a lot. I do not know why it just came up today. It was distracting and took me away from my concentration a few times . I swallowed it .
What should I do when this happens again in the future? How should one keep the tongue and do with the saliva?
user68706
(521 rep)
Mar 27, 2018, 12:55 AM
• Last activity: Mar 27, 2018, 03:08 PM
1
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Ambitions - Are they Real or just an Illusion
Do our passions and ambitions need to be fulfilled or is it just an illusion created by our mind? According to the dhamma, is it considered to be helpful or unhelpful to fulfill goals?
Do our passions and ambitions need to be fulfilled or is it just an illusion created by our mind? According to the dhamma, is it considered to be helpful or unhelpful to fulfill goals?
RBK
(191 rep)
Mar 27, 2018, 11:23 AM
• Last activity: Mar 27, 2018, 12:16 PM
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Does it make sense to talk about origin of self?
In dependent origination at what stage self comes into picture ? Does self originate ?
In dependent origination at what stage self comes into picture ? Does self originate ?
Dheeraj Verma
(4296 rep)
Mar 27, 2018, 02:13 AM
• Last activity: Mar 27, 2018, 03:39 AM
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How does Paticcasamuppada or 12 Links of Dependent Origination relate to Aversion?
Buddha mentions in the Paticcasamuppada that craving leads to clinging and this leads to existence ,birth and death. In other places Buddha mentions that Aversion is a very unwholesome state of mind and we should practice to remove it from our mind. However, I would like to know how aversion plays a...
Buddha mentions in the Paticcasamuppada that craving leads to clinging and this leads to existence ,birth and death. In other places Buddha mentions that Aversion is a very unwholesome state of mind and we should practice to remove it from our mind. However, I would like to know how aversion plays a role in the 12 links of dependent origination as only craving and clinging are mentioned.
user68706
(521 rep)
Mar 26, 2018, 05:03 PM
• Last activity: Mar 27, 2018, 01:14 AM
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Can the mind be trained to maintain equanimity in the face of compulsive urges/cravings (without giving in / acting out)?
- Are there any practices or habits that one can employ, either frequently or on a daily basis, to train one's mind to remain still and equanimous in the face of compulsive urges or cravings, without giving in to them / acting them out? - Can this skill be developed in a general sense, applicable to...
- Are there any practices or habits that one can employ, either frequently or on a daily basis, to train one's mind to remain still and equanimous in the face of compulsive urges or cravings, without giving in to them / acting them out?
- Can this skill be developed in a general sense, applicable to all types of urges/cravings, or does one need to train a different, tailored technique to handle each type of urge/craving individually?
xwb
(271 rep)
Mar 23, 2018, 02:49 AM
• Last activity: Mar 26, 2018, 02:12 PM
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Cause or how to get rid of ocd compulsions
Since quiete some years I'm suffering from ocd compulsions mainly characterized by repeating simple actions like closing the door, putting light on and off, typing something several times, etc.... And other simple actions. In my head it's something like something must 'feel' perfect or the right way...
Since quiete some years I'm suffering from ocd compulsions mainly characterized by repeating simple actions like closing the door, putting light on and off, typing something several times, etc.... And other simple actions. In my head it's something like something must 'feel' perfect or the right way and if it doesn't feel 'ok' I repeat until it does... kinda weird but ok... Is this a lack of self control? How do I get rid of this self thought behavior? I started doing this in a really stressfull period.
Thanks in advance,
Namaste
Sammy Vdb
(41 rep)
Feb 21, 2018, 03:41 AM
• Last activity: Mar 26, 2018, 10:18 AM
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Can a buddha communicate with someone in far away places?
Buddha says that he hears some god having foolish thought. I think it's the story of Bakka Brahma. He "transfer" himself to the god's presence and lectures. And his disciples too. That seems like long distance communication. That seems to be well within the realm of science. Now anyone test this? Ge...
Buddha says that he hears some god having foolish thought. I think it's the story of Bakka Brahma.
He "transfer" himself to the god's presence and lectures. And his disciples too.
That seems like long distance communication.
That seems to be well within the realm of science.
Now anyone test this?
Get a buddha, or a bodhisatva (buddha had many disciples, each can show up on Bakka Brahma tools). Ask them for one number and let the other guesses.
Would it works?
user4951
(385 rep)
Mar 25, 2018, 10:04 AM
• Last activity: Mar 26, 2018, 02:02 AM
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Karma and one's own belief about the event
Suppose I yell at a person and I hold a belief like: "I made a mistake and I try my best not to repeat that fault again" vs "I'm such a bad person for doing that bad deed. I should feel ashamed of myself" then the kamma is completely based on my sincere beliefs I hold about the situation and the les...
Suppose I yell at a person and I hold a belief like: "I made a mistake and I try my best not to repeat that fault again" vs "I'm such a bad person for doing that bad deed. I should feel ashamed of myself" then the kamma is completely based on my sincere beliefs I hold about the situation and the less anger, greed and delusion they have the better the karmic results, right?
Val
(2570 rep)
Feb 19, 2018, 04:15 PM
• Last activity: Mar 25, 2018, 05:32 PM
3
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1
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In what situations can letting go of attachments be painful?
From what I understand of the Buddhist path, letting go of attachments shouldn't be painful. Are there times when letting go will be painful and if there is, why are those times different than the usual?
From what I understand of the Buddhist path, letting go of attachments shouldn't be painful. Are there times when letting go will be painful and if there is, why are those times different than the usual?
john
(53 rep)
Mar 25, 2018, 04:32 AM
• Last activity: Mar 25, 2018, 02:37 PM
Showing page 278 of 20 total questions