Buddhism
Q&A for people practicing or interested in Buddhist philosophy, teaching, and practice
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What are the five grounds for asking questions?
According to scripture, all those who ask questions of another do so from any one of five motivations. Which five?
According to scripture, all those who ask questions of another do so from any one of five motivations. Which five?
user25003
Jun 16, 2023, 01:00 PM
• Last activity: Jun 16, 2023, 01:30 PM
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at a Vesak today at a temple with mixed lineages,. We had to wait to eat until the monks finished. Is this the norm in Buddhist cultures?
I felt this was unfair and somewhat misleading, too, because there were many very elderly laypeople, plus some of the Bhikkhus might not be part of the Aryan (enlightened) Sangha and some of the Lay people might be part of the Enlightened Sangha. I believe it is proper to serve monks first, but at a...
I felt this was unfair and somewhat misleading, too, because there were many very elderly laypeople, plus some of the Bhikkhus might not be part of the Aryan (enlightened) Sangha and some of the Lay people might be part of the Enlightened Sangha. I believe it is proper to serve monks first, but at another mixed lineage temple in Oxnard, we never waited, but the Bhikkhus sat first and took food first, but we all sat down and ate together. Are there strict Vinaya rules for this laid down by the Buddha?
Thank you for any and all perspectives on this.
Pasquale
(347 rep)
May 15, 2023, 01:50 AM
• Last activity: Jun 15, 2023, 06:02 AM
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what is difference between na-nimittaggāhī and animitta?
Indriyasaṁvara is part of [sīlakkhandha](https://suttacentral.net/define/s%C4%ABlakkhandha). there you see this > Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cakkhunā rūpaṃ disvā **na-nimittaggāhī** hoti > nānubyañjanaggāhī. whereas **animitta cetosamādhi** is part of highest samadhi. Thats why it is after th 8th...
Indriyasaṁvara is part of [sīlakkhandha](https://suttacentral.net/define/s%C4%ABlakkhandha) . there you see this
> Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cakkhunā rūpaṃ disvā **na-nimittaggāhī** hoti
> nānubyañjanaggāhī.
whereas **animitta cetosamādhi** is part of highest samadhi. Thats why it is after th 8th Jhana.
> sabbanimittānañca amanasikāro, animittāya ca dhātuyā manasikāro.
so with this background, and for the sake of proper practice, Can someone help in knowing what is the difference between **not grasping** nimitta (na nimittaggāhī) and **signless**(animitaa) ?
Sachin Sharma
(1111 rep)
Jun 12, 2023, 04:31 AM
• Last activity: Jun 13, 2023, 05:14 PM
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4
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What is the relationship between signless samadhi, emptiness and cessation of perception & feeling?
As titled, According to the suttapitaka. What is the relationship between 'signless samadhi', 'signless property', 'emptiness' and 'the cessation of perception & feeling'? I want only Theravada oriented and substantiated answers.
As titled,
According to the suttapitaka.
What is the relationship between 'signless samadhi', 'signless property', 'emptiness' and 'the cessation of perception & feeling'?
I want only Theravada oriented and substantiated answers.
user24965
May 30, 2023, 01:06 PM
• Last activity: Jun 13, 2023, 09:35 AM
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Does Buddhism have a view on the "gut feeling?"
Does Buddhism have a view or agree with the gut feeling? Is this considered the same as intuition?
Does Buddhism have a view or agree with the gut feeling? Is this considered the same as intuition?
Danny
(395 rep)
Jun 1, 2021, 06:29 PM
• Last activity: Jun 13, 2023, 07:46 AM
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11
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What "technically" happens when we chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo?
I have been chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo (daimoku - Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism) for about 4.5 years. I also regularly attend Soka Gakkai International (SGI) meetings. I have experienced a lot of benefits from the practice. But, I have been unable to understand what technically happens when we cha...
I have been chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo (daimoku - Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism) for about 4.5 years. I also regularly attend Soka Gakkai International (SGI) meetings. I have experienced a lot of benefits from the practice.
But, I have been unable to understand what technically happens when we chant. I have read in some of the texts that we create a good karma when we chant or some of the questions here answered that the "act" of chanting leads us to the path of enlightenment.
But, being a Physics student, I am interested in knowing what exactly happens when we chant. For example- when I chant, I generate sound energy. Now that energy would have some temporal variation as the words "Nam" , "Myoho" etc. would have different sounds but the ratio of amplitudes and frequencies would be almost equal for each person.
I would be happy if someone can give a technical explanation of what exactly happens when we chant.
user7277
Nov 15, 2015, 05:29 PM
• Last activity: Jun 13, 2023, 07:41 AM
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What are some techniques to practice Anatta with the five aggregates?
According to the [Anatta-Lakkhana Sutta](https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn22/sn22.059.nymo.html), the Buddha asks us to treat the five aggregates (form, feeling, perception, mental formations and consciousness) as "this is not mine, this is not I, this is not myself". Since "this is not...
According to the [Anatta-Lakkhana Sutta](https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn22/sn22.059.nymo.html) , the Buddha asks us to treat the five aggregates (form, feeling, perception, mental formations and consciousness) as "this is not mine, this is not I, this is not myself".
Since "this is not mine", "this is not I" and "this is not myself", the Buddha asks us to find 'estrangement' in the five aggregates.
Are there any further techniques that we can use to help us achieve this estrangement?
For example, in the Theravada tradition, Buddhist monks have said that if your ear hurts, think of it as 'there's an ear, and it hurts', rather than thinking "my ear hurts". So far, I have been using this method when it comes to observing my physical body.
When it comes to feelings (e.g. anger, fear), it helps me to close my eyes and observe the feelings as an outsider. As I am observing them, I can feel them going away and myself becoming calm again.
Is the above way of practicing estrangement correct? I would like to make sure that I stick to Buddha's original teachings/ theravada tradition. Thank you.
PrincessBelle
(109 rep)
Jun 12, 2023, 12:01 PM
• Last activity: Jun 13, 2023, 05:27 AM
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Question on salayatana
From Ñanavira's Notes on Dhamma: His note on Mano: > Note that just as the eye, as cakkhāyatana or cakkhudhātu, is that yena lokasmim lokasaññī hoti lokamānī ('[that] by which, in the world, one is a perceiver and conceiver of the world') (Salāyatana Samy. xii,3 ), i.e. that thing in...
From Ñanavira's Notes on Dhamma:
His note on Mano:
> Note that just as the eye, as cakkhāyatana or cakkhudhātu, is that yena lokasmim lokasaññī hoti lokamānī ('[that] by which, in the world, one is a perceiver and conceiver of the world') (Salāyatana Samy. xii,3 ), i.e. that thing in the world dependent upon which there is perceiving and conceiving of the world, namely a spherical lump of flesh set in my face; so the mind, as manāyatana or manodhātu, also is that yena lokasmim lokasaññī hoti lokamānī, i.e. that thing in the world dependent upon which there is perceiving and conceiving of the world, namely various ill-defined parts of my body, but principally a mass of grey matter contained in my head (physiological and neurological descriptions are strictly out of place—see PHASSA).[c] This is in agreement with the fact that all five khandhā arise in connexion with each of the six āyatanāni—see NĀMA & PHASSA [a]. For 'perceiving and conceiving' see MAMA [a].
Why does he say "this is in agreement with the fact that all five khandhā arise in connexion with each of the six āyatanāni."?
PDT
(1 rep)
Jun 12, 2022, 02:25 PM
• Last activity: Jun 11, 2023, 05:13 PM
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9
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How do I practice not-self or Anatta whilst talking?
The Buddha has taught the concept of 'not self' (anatta) - which comes into play when we are dealing with our body, feelings, perceptions etc, to think that it's not actually 'my' body, or 'my feelings and perceptions', but rather to observe them as if you're an outsider. For example, instead of thi...
The Buddha has taught the concept of 'not self' (anatta) - which comes into play when we are dealing with our body, feelings, perceptions etc, to think that it's not actually 'my' body, or 'my feelings and perceptions', but rather to observe them as if you're an outsider.
For example, instead of thinking "my ear hurts", it should be "there's an ear, and it hurts". Instead of "I feel angry", it should be "a mind has thoughts that have anger in them", so observe these thoughts as if you're an outsider and watch the anger arising, existing whilst constantly changing, and passing away.
I was wondering whether the Buddha ever said anything about how to apply this principal when we're "talking"? The words feel much like 'myself', and I'm wondering how I can practice not-self while talking as well. Are there any suttas that address how we can practice not-self when we talk?
PrincessBelle
(109 rep)
May 25, 2023, 01:08 AM
• Last activity: Jun 11, 2023, 03:25 PM
0
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2
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How much does Buddhism affect most people's lifes in South East Asia?
For most people identifying as Buddhists in very Buddhist countries (Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand), what are the most significant ways in which being a Buddhist affects their lifes? For instance, how common is - visiting the temple service at least once a month? - saying grace before eating? - intens...
For most people identifying as Buddhists in very Buddhist countries (Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand), what are the most significant ways in which being a Buddhist affects their lifes?
For instance, how common is
- visiting the temple service at least once a month?
- saying grace before eating?
- intense meditation?
My current image is that unless one's a monk, being a Buddhist is a formality for most people in South East Asia, mostly manifesting in Buddhism classes in schools, weddings and funerals.
Probably
(101 rep)
Apr 10, 2023, 08:09 PM
• Last activity: Jun 9, 2023, 09:58 PM
4
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What is the meaning in the Buddha walking seven steps?
When Buddha was born, he walked seven steps and then stopped without stepping the eighth step, and at every step there was a shower of rain. I ask: what does the seven steps symbolize?
When Buddha was born, he walked seven steps and then stopped without stepping the eighth step, and at every step there was a shower of rain. I ask: what does the seven steps symbolize?
iCrazybest
(461 rep)
Nov 1, 2014, 03:20 AM
• Last activity: Jun 8, 2023, 11:07 AM
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Question on Phassa
In Ñanavira's book Notes on Dhamma: > Phassa is included in nāma since nāma, in specifying saññā, necessarily specifies the pair of āyatanāni ('bases') and kind of viññāna involved (e.g. perception of sourness specifies tongue, tastes, and tongue-consciousness), whereas rūpa...
In Ñanavira's book Notes on Dhamma:
> Phassa is included in nāma since nāma, in specifying saññā, necessarily specifies the pair of āyatanāni ('bases') and kind of viññāna involved (e.g. perception of sourness specifies tongue, tastes, and tongue-consciousness), whereas rūpa does not (inertia or behaviour does not specify its mode of appearance, visual, auditory, and so on): nāma, in other words, entails (but does not include) viññāna, whereas rūpa is simply 'discovered' by viññāna.
I don't follow his reasoning here... why is it that Phassa is included in nama instead of rupa because nāma 'entails (but does not include) viññāna, whereas rūpa is simply 'discovered' by viññāna.'?
Also why is sañña given some kind of precedence in its inclusion within the category ahead of Phassa?
PDT
(1 rep)
May 31, 2022, 02:07 PM
• Last activity: Jun 8, 2023, 11:04 AM
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3
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What does wrong freedom or wrong release mean?
This is from the Paṭhamaadhammasutta (AN10.113). >Katamo ca bhikkhave adhammo ca anattho ca? > > Micchā-diṭṭhi, micchā-saŋkappo, micchā-vācā micchā-kammanto, micchā-ājīvo, micchā-vāyāmo, micchā-sati,micchā-samādhi, micchā-ñāṇaɱ, micchā-vimutti. > > And what are not-dhamma and not-aim? > > Wrong...
This is from the Paṭhamaadhammasutta (AN10.113).
>Katamo ca bhikkhave adhammo ca anattho ca?
>
> Micchā-diṭṭhi, micchā-saŋkappo,
micchā-vācā micchā-kammanto, micchā-ājīvo, micchā-vāyāmo, micchā-sati,micchā-samādhi, micchā-ñāṇaɱ, micchā-vimutti.
>
> And what are not-dhamma and not-aim?
>
> Wrong view, wrong thinking, wrong speech, wrong action, wrong living,
> wrong effort, wrong mindfulness, wrong concentration, wrong knowledge,
> wrong release.
(Found on Obo-net .)
Does anyone know what wrong release could be? Does the Buddha explain this anywhere?
I can't really understand how release can be wrong. Seems to me that one is or is not released.
user13579
Nov 2, 2018, 09:13 AM
• Last activity: Jun 7, 2023, 08:49 PM
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Why does the Buddha call himself the Tathāgata?
Questions in the title. What is the significance of this term and how it is used by the Buddha in the suttas?
Questions in the title. What is the significance of this term and how it is used by the Buddha in the suttas?
Sāmaṇera Jayantha
(2048 rep)
Jun 29, 2014, 02:22 AM
• Last activity: Jun 6, 2023, 03:09 AM
2
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True versus Correct in uttered speech
In the below passage from [MN 58][1] >In the same way, prince, the Realized One does not utter speech that he knows to be untrue, false, and pointless, and which is disliked by others. >The Realized One does not utter speech that he knows to be true and correct, but which is harmful and disliked by...
In the below passage from MN 58
>In the same way, prince, the Realized One does not utter speech that he knows to be untrue, false, and pointless, and which is disliked by others.
>The Realized One does not utter speech that he knows to be true and correct, but which is harmful and disliked by others.
>The Realized One knows the right time to speak so as to explain what he knows to be true, correct, and beneficial, but which is disliked by others.
>The Realized One does not utter speech that he knows to be untrue, false, and pointless, but which is liked by others.
>The Realized One does not utter speech that he knows to be true and correct, but which is harmful, even if it is liked by others.
>The Realized One knows the right time to speak so as to explain what he knows to be true, correct, and beneficial, and which is liked by others. Why is that? Because the Realized One has compassion for sentient beings.
There seem to be some (three?) couplets (and a triplet?): 'true/untrue', 'correct/false', 'beneficial/pointless/harmful', and 'likeable/dislikeable'.
My reason for posting is to ask the difference between 'true' and 'correct', but if anyone has anything more general to say about these guidelines, that would also be appreciated.
zeno
(131 rep)
May 30, 2023, 12:10 PM
• Last activity: Jun 4, 2023, 07:02 PM
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3
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Who said "life is suffering"?
I'm wondering if anything is known about the origin of this formulation, which is ostensibly a summary of the first noble truth: >"Life is suffering" Beyond whether this is a poor summary or translation: where did it come from? An English-language popularizer, maybe?
I'm wondering if anything is known about the origin of this formulation, which is ostensibly a summary of the first noble truth:
>"Life is suffering"
Beyond whether this is a poor summary or translation: where did it come from? An English-language popularizer, maybe?
zeno
(131 rep)
May 29, 2023, 03:38 PM
• Last activity: Jun 4, 2023, 04:35 PM
0
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Stress and suffering felt when I touch the right frontal lobe of my forehead
I was wondering if this could be scientific or dhamma proof of the eminence of suffering coming from a physical and mental root. If you touch and rub the front right part of your forehead you can feel the dukkha or suffering from rubbing it. You will even feel a residual paste on your skin that cont...
I was wondering if this could be scientific or dhamma proof of the eminence of suffering coming from a physical and mental root. If you touch and rub the front right part of your forehead you can feel the dukkha or suffering from rubbing it. You will even feel a residual paste on your skin that contains stress and suffering.
What is this and do other people experience this? Is this actual physical scientific proof of suffering and Buddhism?
Michael Massey
(11 rep)
Jun 3, 2023, 10:15 PM
• Last activity: Jun 4, 2023, 12:36 AM
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How was oration performed in ancient times?
I've been trying to find some information on oratory practices in ancient times. Strangely, I am not finding much. What technique(s) were used? It's hard to imagine the Buddha raising his voice to address large crowds, but maybe I'm just projecting. Maybe he could really holler. Did they rely on ech...
I've been trying to find some information on oratory practices in ancient times. Strangely, I am not finding much. What technique(s) were used?
It's hard to imagine the Buddha raising his voice to address large crowds, but maybe I'm just projecting. Maybe he could really holler. Did they rely on echo, repeating at intervals, hand gestures, a loud person, etc.?
> At one time the Blessed One was living near the city of Gayā, on
> Gayāsīse, together with a thousand monks. There the Blessed One asked
> the monks:
āḷasu bhikhārī
(1 rep)
Jun 3, 2023, 02:24 PM
• Last activity: Jun 3, 2023, 11:47 PM
2
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2
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138
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Different approaches to Metta Meditation
I'm interested in learning more about Metta Meditation, and wondering if there are different approaches to this style of meditation. I understand that the history of this practice is quite long, and it would be difficult to be comprehensive, but for the sake of brevity an answer could include only b...
I'm interested in learning more about Metta Meditation, and wondering if there are different approaches to this style of meditation.
I understand that the history of this practice is quite long, and it would be difficult to be comprehensive, but for the sake of brevity an answer could include only broad differences in approach. Or is there generally only one style of practice?
Cdn_Dev
(480 rep)
Jun 1, 2023, 04:30 PM
• Last activity: Jun 3, 2023, 05:23 PM
2
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6
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Buddha speaks on time
Does the buddha ever speak on time? Does he ever say, "...time doesn't matter..."? I have this weird feeling he is said to have spoken that. I don't know in which sutra that is, or it might have been in a dream, but really, I'm not sure where I got the idea. I assume it was in a certain context if i...
Does the buddha ever speak on time? Does he ever say, "...time doesn't matter..."? I have this weird feeling he is said to have spoken that. I don't know in which sutra that is, or it might have been in a dream, but really, I'm not sure where I got the idea. I assume it was in a certain context if it was really said, and that he wasn't dismissing the time element as trivial, such as a lifetime...
āḷasu bhikhārī
(1 rep)
Jun 30, 2022, 01:31 PM
• Last activity: Jun 1, 2023, 05:26 AM
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