Buddhism
Q&A for people practicing or interested in Buddhist philosophy, teaching, and practice
Latest Questions
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Are there NDE known where Buddha is met?
It happens to people when they get for example a heart attack they will get a near death experience (NDE). Sometimes they encounter a very bright light but sometimes persons like Jesus encounters them. Probably such experiences are very cultural influenced but are there studies of NDE in more Buddhi...
It happens to people when they get for example a heart attack they will get a near death experience (NDE). Sometimes they encounter a very bright light but sometimes persons like Jesus encounters them. Probably such experiences are very cultural influenced but are there studies of NDE in more Buddhist countries where Buddha appears in a NDE?
Marijn
(803 rep)
Sep 15, 2017, 07:06 PM
• Last activity: Dec 19, 2017, 03:33 AM
2
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2
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341
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What does 'corrupted' (world or society) mean?
Several people (several questions and answers) in [this topic](https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/q/24266/254) use the word "corrupted", especially applied to "the world" and "society". - What does the word "corrupted" mean? - Does it have a standard meaning in Buddhism, or is it idiosyncratic? Is i...
Several people (several questions and answers) in [this topic](https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/q/24266/254) use the word "corrupted", especially applied to "the world" and "society".
- What does the word "corrupted" mean?
- Does it have a standard meaning in Buddhism, or is it idiosyncratic?
Is it an objective (observable, shareable) property (of the world), or a subjective (personal) feeling?
Do all schools (or yanas) define it the same way?
Is it mentioned in any suttas?
- Is it related to the idea that the Buddha's Dharma may (or will be, has been) lost, misinterpreted, over time? Or is it a different perception, applied to "society" rather than "dharma"?
- Why would someone say that the world or society is becoming *more* corrupt? Compared to when and where, or what? Do schools (and/or teachers) differ in their view of whether the world is "progressing", i.e. whether it's improving or regressing?
ChrisW
(48745 rep)
Dec 18, 2017, 08:38 PM
• Last activity: Dec 19, 2017, 02:53 AM
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4
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Concept of Vedana as expounded in Theravada Buddhism
Throughout canonical discourses (Sutta Pitaka) the Buddha teaches that there are 3 modes of Vedana. Where in Pali canon do we find 6 classes of Vedana? How is Vedana related to Nibbana?
Throughout canonical discourses (Sutta Pitaka) the Buddha teaches that there are 3 modes of Vedana.
Where in Pali canon do we find 6 classes of Vedana?
How is Vedana related to Nibbana?
GURUPAL CHADDA
(21 rep)
Dec 12, 2017, 02:44 PM
• Last activity: Dec 17, 2017, 10:57 AM
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3
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Whether knower disappears automatically after doer disappeared?
Did meditation; when concentration on the breath at the tip of the nose suddenly controller has disappeared and cittarupa came without control.Is it a stage that knower and doer disappeared?after the experience feel like no self at that time.
Did meditation; when concentration on the breath at the tip of the nose suddenly controller has disappeared and cittarupa came without control.Is it a stage that knower and doer disappeared?after the experience feel like no self at that time.
Buddhika Kitsiri
(517 rep)
Dec 11, 2017, 05:00 PM
• Last activity: Dec 17, 2017, 07:14 AM
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3
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Common denominator between forms of happiness included in dukkha
What is the common denominator between the happiness derived from family life and the happiness derived from being a recluse?
What is the common denominator between the happiness derived from family life and the happiness derived from being a recluse?
user12691
Dec 13, 2017, 09:24 AM
• Last activity: Dec 17, 2017, 06:05 AM
2
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2
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410
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What are the different Buddhist views on marriage?
I know that marriage is a secular event in Buddhism, but what are the different attitudes are there for or against marriage? And what type of Buddhists(Theravada, Mahayana, Sangha, Lay etc) claim these views?
I know that marriage is a secular event in Buddhism, but what are the different attitudes are there for or against marriage? And what type of Buddhists(Theravada, Mahayana, Sangha, Lay etc) claim these views?
Hari
(484 rep)
Dec 11, 2017, 02:25 PM
• Last activity: Dec 17, 2017, 01:11 AM
5
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7
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Saving the stink bug
Real question (this happened today). Imagine you're meditating by the fireplace. Outside is cold winter with snow. You have achieved a nice level of concentration, and suddenly you see a [stink bug][1] awoken by the heat, crawling into the fireplace. Your choices: - Let it keep crawling into fire, n...
Real question (this happened today). Imagine you're meditating by the fireplace. Outside is cold winter with snow. You have achieved a nice level of concentration, and suddenly you see a stink bug awoken by the heat, crawling into the fireplace. Your choices:
- Let it keep crawling into fire, noting "crawling, crawling".
- Pray for it to achieve a speedy human rebirth.
- "Save" it by taking outside and letting die from the cold.
- Put it in a safe place inside the house and let it die from hunger and dehydration.
- Put it in a safe place inside the house and provide care and feeding.
- Hop on an airplane and take it to China, its natural habitat.
- Focus on achieving Enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings.
- Simply switch attention away from the issue.
- There is no stink bug.
- Mu.
- Your own option.
You have about five minutes left on the timer, so you can either finish your meditation properly and then act, or choose to interrupt the session.
What teachings are relevant in this case? What should I do, according to Dharma, and why?
Andriy Volkov
(59787 rep)
Dec 10, 2017, 11:57 PM
• Last activity: Dec 16, 2017, 10:36 PM
3
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6
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Why does Buddhism seem to have more than one goal?
Why do some Buddhists regard nirvana as an important goal while other want better rebirth? Do all Buddhists have the same goal and if not why?
Why do some Buddhists regard nirvana as an important goal while other want better rebirth?
Do all Buddhists have the same goal and if not why?
Hari
(484 rep)
Dec 15, 2017, 10:46 AM
• Last activity: Dec 16, 2017, 04:37 AM
1
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Samatha meditation feels a space at the top of the head?
When doing walking felt a space at the top of the head. After done some meditation the space began to expand .What is this?And there is a kind of a heart beat like inside the space.
When doing walking felt a space at the top of the head. After done some meditation the space began to expand .What is this?And there is a kind of a heart beat like inside the space.
Buddhika Kitsiri
(517 rep)
Dec 15, 2017, 02:28 PM
• Last activity: Dec 15, 2017, 03:22 PM
2
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2
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What is the Pali word for mundane knowledge ?
What is the Pali word for mundane knowledge
What is the Pali word for mundane knowledge
breath
(1454 rep)
Nov 24, 2017, 05:09 PM
• Last activity: Dec 15, 2017, 12:26 PM
6
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8
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Are there meditation practices that improve logical problem solving skills?
I meditate daily, for around 30 minutes or so, I have been on and off for the last few yew years. I only ever do a simple breathing meditation and I find it tends to make my mind smoother and more relaxed (compared to days I do not sit). I am also in the process of becoming a mathematician (hopefull...
I meditate daily, for around 30 minutes or so, I have been on and off for the last few yew years. I only ever do a simple breathing meditation and I find it tends to make my mind smoother and more relaxed (compared to days I do not sit). I am also in the process of becoming a mathematician (hopefully completing my PhD in the next few months). Before embarking on my PhD I worked in IT as a developer/support manager, so my work has always been fairly cerebral. Given this context, I was wondering - are there particular types of meditation that specifically improve mental ability ? I know one of the obvious answers is that solving a problem in pure math is really a form of meditation, and I should probably just continue with the daily grind. I'm hoping for a bit more though. Thanks
Andre
(125 rep)
Jul 6, 2016, 09:14 AM
• Last activity: Dec 14, 2017, 09:23 PM
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4
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When you get a nightmare could the message in it be right?
Some people have the ability to have for-spelling dreams. Imagine that someones'face changes into a devil and making a nightmare of it, could this be a dream revealing to the dreamer some information about other peoples state. Or can only demons'revealing dreams which are calm contain true messages?...
Some people have the ability to have for-spelling dreams. Imagine that someones'face changes into a devil and making a nightmare of it, could this be a dream revealing to the dreamer some information about other peoples state.
Or can only demons'revealing dreams which are calm contain true messages?
So this question concerns people who are usually gifted with visions etc.
Marijn
(803 rep)
Nov 13, 2017, 06:55 PM
• Last activity: Dec 14, 2017, 03:26 PM
5
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What meditation practice will allow me to sleep less and focus more?
I have an issue picking meditation to practice during my free time as a medical student. My free time is limited and my stress levels are sky high. What is the best meditation practice for me out there? something that will keep me awake as well as improve my power of focus. My attention deficit is c...
I have an issue picking meditation to practice during my free time as a medical student. My free time is limited and my stress levels are sky high. What is the best meditation practice for me out there? something that will keep me awake as well as improve my power of focus. My attention deficit is creating huge problems in my studies.
---
Thanks you guys... the 1st answer is the most comprehensive. I do remember when I was a teenager I used to practice Metta mediation and had a better time falling asleep. But as I became a medical student and am currently studying in my 3rd year, my mind got clogged with the ever increasing amount of knowledge and stress, that I felt like I was trapped in this dogma of man made knowledge and lost all the freedom I had as kid. But I feel now, that that freedom I lost is actually mostly because I lost my path as a meditator and a Buddhist practitioner more than anything else. I should find the time to do these little things, because they are those little things that makes us complete. Thanks so much for the responses!
Dilshan De Silva
(716 rep)
May 22, 2015, 09:54 PM
• Last activity: Dec 14, 2017, 07:02 AM
2
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3
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Is samsara without end?
I read the following in the PTS Pali dictionary: > *Saṃsāra "whose beginning and end are alike unthinkable", i. e., without beginning or end.* Are there any Pali suttas that support this view of endless samsara without an end?
I read the following in the PTS Pali dictionary:
> *Saṃsāra "whose beginning and end are alike unthinkable", i. e., without beginning or end.*
Are there any Pali suttas that support this view of endless samsara without an end?
Paraloka Dhamma Dhatu
(48207 rep)
Dec 12, 2017, 01:19 AM
• Last activity: Dec 14, 2017, 04:54 AM
2
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6
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Reincarnation and stem cell research
How do we apply reincarnation to phenomena such as reproduction by binary fission (amoeba) and creating animals like Dolly the sheep from a single cell? Also, why the population is rising in the animal kingdom including humans, surely, it cannot be other beings from different realms are coming to ea...
How do we apply reincarnation to phenomena such as reproduction by binary fission (amoeba) and creating animals like Dolly the sheep from a single cell? Also, why the population is rising in the animal kingdom including humans, surely, it cannot be other beings from different realms are coming to earth. I am so confused about this although I am a practicing Buddhist.
Janaki
(21 rep)
Nov 29, 2017, 10:53 PM
• Last activity: Dec 13, 2017, 05:12 PM
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Is an analogy between karma and modern day physics possible?
The Buddha spoke about kalapa's. A body, including the mind, consists of tiny particles which arise and cease in a everlasting flow of sequence. Karma as the law of action/reaction. Unwholesome acts cause unwholesome results for the producer of that action and wholesome acts cause wholesome results....
The Buddha spoke about kalapa's. A body, including the mind, consists of tiny particles which arise and cease in a everlasting flow of sequence. Karma as the law of action/reaction. Unwholesome acts cause unwholesome results for the producer of that action and wholesome acts cause wholesome results. Neutral action causes neutral /no results. Is there a correlation between this truth and the truth of Newton's third law of motion? For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Since quantum physics entered the realm of scientific knowledge, on a sub atomic level action reaction became not absolute anymore in predictability.
Is it a delusion to suggest that on a highly subtle level unwholesome acts might not in all cases lead to unwholesome results as wholesome acts might not in all cases lead to wholesome results?
user12691
Dec 13, 2017, 12:58 AM
• Last activity: Dec 13, 2017, 01:05 PM
2
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1
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Can a one-pointed mind and a unified mind alternate?
During meditation i notice that the mind tends to alternate between one-pointedness (breath touching the tip of the nose while breaking off any upcoming thought) and classifying upcoming thoughts into thoughts about the past, future and related to ego, before breaking off the thought, or observing t...
During meditation i notice that the mind tends to alternate between one-pointedness (breath touching the tip of the nose while breaking off any upcoming thought) and classifying upcoming thoughts into thoughts about the past, future and related to ego, before breaking off the thought, or observing the upcoming and cessation of all sensations in the realm of body and mind while always keeping adhithanna in posture. Is this inconsistent or can a unified and one-pointed mind exist alternately or even simultaneously?
user12691
Dec 12, 2017, 02:41 PM
• Last activity: Dec 13, 2017, 05:25 AM
3
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5
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How to deal with being ignored?
At work, my mother experiences that she is being ignored by most of her co-workers. She feels isolated and sad. What can she do?
At work, my mother experiences that she is being ignored by most of her co-workers. She feels isolated and sad. What can she do?
Tanvika Singh
(31 rep)
Dec 6, 2017, 06:30 PM
• Last activity: Dec 13, 2017, 12:59 AM
4
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2
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Why don't monks get married?
If there are no restrictions in Buddhism then why do they not want to get married?
If there are no restrictions in Buddhism then why do they not want to get married?
Hari
(484 rep)
Dec 11, 2017, 08:07 PM
• Last activity: Dec 12, 2017, 04:30 PM
2
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3
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Personal practice regarding stream entry
Have experience when notting the thoughts as impermanence disappears the body and thoughts together .But still there's somebody looking at and it goes into a cloudy space. What is this experience?Is it stream winner?
Have experience when notting the thoughts as impermanence disappears the body and thoughts together .But still there's somebody looking at and it goes into a cloudy space. What is this experience?Is it stream winner?
Buddhika Kitsiri
(517 rep)
Dec 10, 2017, 11:45 AM
• Last activity: Dec 12, 2017, 03:42 PM
Showing page 293 of 20 total questions