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Buddhism

Q&A for people practicing or interested in Buddhist philosophy, teaching, and practice

Latest Questions

2 votes
4 answers
913 views
Are the terms "yoga" and "yogi" used in Buddhism?
Are the terms "yoga" and "yogi" used in Buddhism? Are they in the Pali Canon? If yes, please quote them. Are they used in other traditions like Tibetan Buddhism? If they are used in Buddhism, then what do they mean in Buddhism? Is it different from its use in Hinduism?
Are the terms "yoga" and "yogi" used in Buddhism? Are they in the Pali Canon? If yes, please quote them. Are they used in other traditions like Tibetan Buddhism? If they are used in Buddhism, then what do they mean in Buddhism? Is it different from its use in Hinduism?
ruben2020 (40846 rep)
Oct 14, 2022, 01:13 PM • Last activity: Oct 14, 2022, 11:52 PM
8 votes
4 answers
2847 views
Intuition in Buddhism
I was told that intuition is not to be cultivated in Buddhism. Intuition is blind and not to be followed. Following something blind can be quite dangerous. At the same time, there is a book called 'Intuitive Awareness' by Ajahn Sumedho. So I'm confused now which one is the correct one. The more mind...
I was told that intuition is not to be cultivated in Buddhism. Intuition is blind and not to be followed. Following something blind can be quite dangerous. At the same time, there is a book called 'Intuitive Awareness' by Ajahn Sumedho. So I'm confused now which one is the correct one. The more mindful you are, more things are opening up, you understand more things, some answers just come without any reasonable explanation. Can someone explain Buddhism's view on intuition? Thanks.
Steve (669 rep)
Aug 7, 2015, 04:57 AM • Last activity: Oct 14, 2022, 12:14 PM
2 votes
4 answers
136 views
Is it ok to become a monk?
I called All India Bhikkhu Sangha to know whether I can be trained as a monk… ? The person I called said that world has progressed a lot and it is not a wise thing to leave family behind. He said give up laziness and do your household chores. It is a sin to leave helpless family… This has created a...
I called All India Bhikkhu Sangha to know whether I can be trained as a monk… ? The person I called said that world has progressed a lot and it is not a wise thing to leave family behind. He said give up laziness and do your household chores. It is a sin to leave helpless family… This has created a doubt in my mind whether I should strive to follow Buddha’s path or should I give up the path and lead a layman’s life ? Is it ok become a monk ?
Dheeraj Verma (4296 rep)
Sep 16, 2022, 12:36 PM • Last activity: Oct 13, 2022, 03:57 PM
2 votes
3 answers
1181 views
How can I become a monk in India?
I am a lay person and I am from India. I wish to become a monk. Other option before me is to go in search of Truth and reinvent the wheel and find enlightenment myself. But there is no place to go. There are no forests which are not under government control. People are materialistic and they hardly...
I am a lay person and I am from India. I wish to become a monk. Other option before me is to go in search of Truth and reinvent the wheel and find enlightenment myself. But there is no place to go. There are no forests which are not under government control. People are materialistic and they hardly give any value to me becoming a monk or to the state of affairs of the world. That leaves me with only one choice and that is to become a monk. How can I become a monk?
Dheeraj Verma (4296 rep)
Sep 11, 2022, 06:04 AM • Last activity: Oct 13, 2022, 12:56 AM
3 votes
3 answers
154 views
Where does the Buddha say, There is no happiness without calm?
Where in the canon does the Buddha say, There is no happiness without calm? I've heard the statement only second hand, and paraphrased.
Where in the canon does the Buddha say, There is no happiness without calm? I've heard the statement only second hand, and paraphrased.
stick-in-hand (23 rep)
Oct 6, 2022, 03:42 PM • Last activity: Oct 12, 2022, 12:15 PM
3 votes
2 answers
73 views
Should we use honorifics when referring to monks?
First of all "Sadhu!" and much reason that reaches to good grow, but as just a [meta-topic](https://buddhism.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/2661/should-we-use-honorifics-when-referring-to-monks) what's actually the primary base, good to give occassion to raise not only awareness for good grow but...
First of all "Sadhu!" and much reason that reaches to good grow, but as just a [meta-topic](https://buddhism.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/2661/should-we-use-honorifics-when-referring-to-monks) what's actually the primary base, good to give occassion to raise not only awareness for good grow but also possibility to give proper answers, citing the Venerables here (although, of course, some will use it to increase their demerits as well). "We" in the question refers to receiver of Dhamma-guṇa (highest goodness), to householder, to people aware of higher and lower, not to speak of those gone for refuge toward the Gems. Maybe good to add a sub-question: Who is the one who really gains something upwardly when giving proper regard, and who's the one who loses if failing? (e.g. the Kamma of reference)
user24218 (31 rep)
Oct 10, 2022, 11:20 AM • Last activity: Oct 12, 2022, 04:06 AM
12 votes
7 answers
1796 views
Is there an Orthodox Buddhism?
[Orthodoxy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthodoxy) in Christianity is the holding to the oldest beliefs. It is of course impossible for the religion not to evolve at all as new questions and there answer have to addressed. The "Orthodox" version is often considered to be the least evolved sect of...
[Orthodoxy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthodoxy) in Christianity is the holding to the oldest beliefs. It is of course impossible for the religion not to evolve at all as new questions and there answer have to addressed. The "Orthodox" version is often considered to be the least evolved sect of a religion. Does the concept of Orthodox apply in Buddhism?
James Jenkins (898 rep)
Jun 18, 2014, 02:50 PM • Last activity: Oct 12, 2022, 03:48 AM
8 votes
9 answers
746 views
Scientific approach of Kamma
The concept of Kamma implies that information is stored in the mind (not the brain) and after the being is dead, this mind (or this data "storage") goes on and carries with it the current position of all accumulated Kamma from many previous life. This clearly creates some scientific questions such a...
The concept of Kamma implies that information is stored in the mind (not the brain) and after the being is dead, this mind (or this data "storage") goes on and carries with it the current position of all accumulated Kamma from many previous life. This clearly creates some scientific questions such as: Where is the information stored if there is no physical "hardware"? How does this information flows? How a new being receives it and change its body accordingly (Imagine a Kamma-Vipaka of a disease for a new born or not having a member)? Etc... Many people will answer that these doubts represent a fetter and will not help you in the practice, so just forget about it, however I know many Buddhists have great scientific background and could help here. Is there any detailed description, maybe Abidhamma, of this process of Kamma/information flow? Has anyone ever tried to shed a light on this topic?
konrad01 (9895 rep)
Mar 2, 2015, 07:52 PM • Last activity: Oct 11, 2022, 05:56 PM
3 votes
5 answers
242 views
How does one hold themself in full awareness during new complicated and complex learning?
In one of [Eckhart Tolle][1] talks (can't find the exact one yet) he mentions how most people "loose themselves" at/during "work". i.e. - lose awareness of body, emotions and thoughts. For me this seems to be true - "digging deep", my consciousness becomes completely enmeshed in the academic or work...
In one of Eckhart Tolle talks (can't find the exact one yet) he mentions how most people "loose themselves" at/during "work". i.e. - lose awareness of body, emotions and thoughts. For me this seems to be true - "digging deep", my consciousness becomes completely enmeshed in the academic or work at hand. Although similar to this question , I see this answer of mindfulness as a general way of working. But more specifically, is it possible for those fewer moments of very new, complex and complicated learning, to be like this? I cannot see how they can coexist. What would that look like and how is it done/practiced specifically?
P.S. (205 rep)
Mar 9, 2021, 06:03 PM • Last activity: Oct 9, 2022, 04:13 PM
2 votes
2 answers
427 views
Is the Sinhalese language very different to Pali?
I notice many Sinhalese posting on Western chatsites about Buddhism. However, I often notice these Sinhalese don't have particularly strong empathy with the Pali of the suttas. I sometimes feel "dukkha" ("suffering") when having to answer their questions. Is the Sinhalese language very different to...
I notice many Sinhalese posting on Western chatsites about Buddhism. However, I often notice these Sinhalese don't have particularly strong empathy with the Pali of the suttas. I sometimes feel "dukkha" ("suffering") when having to answer their questions. Is the Sinhalese language very different to Pali? Should Sinhalese be able to learn Pali easier than Westerners?
Paraloka Dhamma Dhatu (47819 rep)
Feb 27, 2019, 06:32 AM • Last activity: Oct 9, 2022, 03:27 AM
0 votes
4 answers
175 views
self using intoxicants
i was reading the scripture [Uninstructed Assutavā Sutta (SN 12:61):][1] > “Monks, an uninstructed run-of-the-mill person might grow > disenchanted with this body composed of the four great elements, > might grow dispassionate toward it, might gain release from it. Why > is that? Because the growth...
i was reading the scripture Uninstructed Assutavā Sutta (SN 12:61): > “Monks, an uninstructed run-of-the-mill person might grow > disenchanted with this body composed of the four great elements, > might grow dispassionate toward it, might gain release from it. Why > is that? Because the growth & decline, the taking up & putting down > of this body composed of the four great elements are apparent. > “But as for what’s called ‘mind,’ ‘intellect,’ or ‘consciousness,’ the > uninstructed run-of-the-mill person is unable to grow disenchanted > with it, unable to grow dispassionate toward it, unable to gain > release from it. Why is that? For a long time this has been relished, > appropriated, and grasped by the uninstructed run-of-the-mill person > as, ‘This is me, this is my self, this is what I am.’ Thus the > uninstructed run-of-the-mill person is unable to grow disenchanted > with it, unable to grow dispassionate toward it, unable to gain > release from it. this is difficult to apprehend. i am not capable of *willing* myself to stop using intoxicants, so how does this dhamma make sense? i will have to wait until i die to be released? that's my interpretation... what exactly grows dispassionate towards the body anyway? EDIT: THIS QUESTION MAKES VERY LITTLE SENSE...IT LACKS FOCUS. IT CREATES CONFUSION WHERE THERE MIGHT BE NONE. A BETTER APPROACH OR QUESTION WOULD BE 'HOW DOES A SELF-VIEW GENERATE VARIOUS PROBLEMS LIKE ADDICTION; BOTH PRECEDING THE ADDICTION, AND IN THE AFTERMATH?'
āḷasu bhikhārī (2033 rep)
Oct 7, 2022, 03:47 PM • Last activity: Oct 8, 2022, 01:32 PM
5 votes
9 answers
2578 views
Thought or intention is always karma?
"**Chethanaham bikkawe kamman wadami**". > Dear Bikkhus, I introduce thought as karma. It is after having thought > that we engage in action physically, verbally and mentally. ( > Nibbedhika sutraya) My question is simple. Does thought or intention alone become karma? Or does it need to have certain...
"**Chethanaham bikkawe kamman wadami**". > Dear Bikkhus, I introduce thought as karma. It is after having thought > that we engage in action physically, verbally and mentally. ( > Nibbedhika sutraya) My question is simple. Does thought or intention alone become karma? Or does it need to have certain characteristics (Sorry if this word is inappropriate) for it to become Karma? If intention alone is karma whether we engage in action in though, word or deed what is the point of good deed?

Can we just **"think"** that we are helping the poor and have good karma? Can we **"think"** that we are giving dhana to monks and have good karma?

In the context of good karma, can we just have good intentions and thoughts of good deeds and get the same karma that we get from physically engaging in such activities?

Heisenberg (942 rep)
Feb 18, 2016, 05:51 AM • Last activity: Oct 8, 2022, 02:52 AM
5 votes
11 answers
1372 views
How are there good overweight monks?
If you are mindful you don't eat for taste - so chances are you over eat are smaller. There are a few monks I know and I truly believe are advanced practitioners (meaning I won't be surprised if they are arahants) who are overweight. And this really clashes with the concept of eating mindfully - can...
If you are mindful you don't eat for taste - so chances are you over eat are smaller. There are a few monks I know and I truly believe are advanced practitioners (meaning I won't be surprised if they are arahants) who are overweight. And this really clashes with the concept of eating mindfully - can someone help reconcile the fact they are overweight and being advanced practitioners ? Edit : just to be clear there are overweight people who eat little and have self control and healthy but have bad metabolism which makes them fat ... and skinny people who are gluttons and eat a lot of fat foods and are still skinny .... I'm just giving the most extreme example which are of monks who are extremely mindful and don't need to give 0 consideration to enjoyment from the food and are aware of their bodies.
breath (1454 rep)
Dec 29, 2017, 02:12 PM • Last activity: Oct 7, 2022, 02:55 PM
2 votes
5 answers
156 views
Waiting vs Acting?
What does Buddhism say about waiting vs acting? For some context, I quit my corporate job a year ago because it felt so much against my skin to be working for aggressive profit. Since then I have pursued things I have wanted to do - passions (things that I dreamed of doing), volunteering (helping ot...
What does Buddhism say about waiting vs acting? For some context, I quit my corporate job a year ago because it felt so much against my skin to be working for aggressive profit. Since then I have pursued things I have wanted to do - passions (things that I dreamed of doing), volunteering (helping others) and I have continued my meditation practice. I am quite content with my relationships, the state of my mind, my body and my meditation practise. But for some reason, I haven't yet found a job that I feel drawn towards and I am going through my savings fast now which causes me concerns. I don't want to be acting on the fear of going broke, I also don't want to go back to my old job. I am often faced with the conflict of waitings vs acting. How does Buddhism prescribe navigating through such a conundrum?
soundswaste (121 rep)
Oct 2, 2022, 05:52 AM • Last activity: Oct 6, 2022, 08:42 AM
1 votes
0 answers
37 views
English Translations of Commentary
Where are the English Translations of Commentary? Have all of them translated in to English?
Where are the English Translations of Commentary? Have all of them translated in to English?
Blake (405 rep)
Oct 5, 2022, 11:55 PM • Last activity: Oct 6, 2022, 07:41 AM
0 votes
1 answers
57 views
Kalama Sutta only about Kilesas?
I found an explanation of Kalama Sutta in a website which is said to be from a Tipitaka teacher in Sri Lanka. Is Kalama Sutta only about Kilesas? > [Kālāma sutta is only to be applied for Lobha-dosa-moha?][1] > > The famous Sri Lankan lay Dhamma-preacher Saminda Ranasingha > ([aathaapi.org][2]) insi...
I found an explanation of Kalama Sutta in a website which is said to be from a Tipitaka teacher in Sri Lanka. Is Kalama Sutta only about Kilesas? > Kālāma sutta is only to be applied for Lobha-dosa-moha? > > The famous Sri Lankan lay Dhamma-preacher Saminda Ranasingha > (aathaapi.org ) insists on two points when he is explaining Kālāma > sutta. > > 1. Kālāma sutta is only to be applied for **Non-Buddhists** > 3. Kālāma sutta is only to be applied for **Lobha-dosa-moha** (and > Alobha-adosa-amoha) > > I’m here going to introduce the 2nd point of him, for seeing your > comments. > >enter image description here > > Rest part of the sutta is also evaluated in the same way by him. > > So he insists that Kālāmā Sutta can not be applied for evaluating > other things mentioned in the Tipitaka. > > **If we consider the phrasing-style of the last paragraph in the above** > > ***“Iti kho, kālāmā, yaṃ taṃ avocumhā – … iti yaṃ taṃ vuttaṃ, idametaṃ > paṭicca vuttaṃ.*** > > ***So, as I said, kalamas – … Thus was it said. And in > reference to this was it said.*** > > This style can be seen in many Suttas in Anguttara nikaya and Majjima > nikaya where, > > 1. An “Uddesa (recitation passage)” is introduced first. > 2. Then it is questioned why was it mentioned. (in most cases) > 3. Then the Niddesa (explanation of the Uddesa) is menioned. > 4. At the end, it is concluded that the above Uddesa was mentioned for > Niddesa. > >Eg: Sakkapañhasutta, Araṇavibhaṅgasutta, Saḷāyatanavibhaṅgasutta, Dutiyasaññāsutta, Paṭhamamahāpañhāsutta, Titthāyatanādisutta … etc. > > ***Saḷāyatanavibhaṅgasutta:*** > >“‘Cha ajjhattikāni āyatanāni veditabbāni, > …’ti **– ayamuddeso saḷāyatanavibhaṅgassa.** “‘Cha ajjhattikāni āyatanāni > veditabbānī’ti **– iti kho panetaṃ vuttaṃ. Kiñcetaṃ paṭicca vuttaṃ?** > ‘Cakkhāyatanaṃ sotāyatanaṃ ghānāyatanaṃ jivhāyatanaṃ kāyāyatanaṃ > manāyatanaṃ. Cha ajjhattikāni āyatanāni veditabbānī’ti **– iti yaṃ taṃ > vuttaṃ idametaṃ paṭicca vuttaṃ.** > > “‘The six interior sense fields should be understood. …’ **This is the > recitation passage for the analysis of the six sense fields.** ‘The six > interior sense fields should be understood.’ **– That’s what I said, but > why did I say it?** There are the sense fields of the eye, ear, nose, > tongue, body, and mind. ‘The six interior sense fields should be > understood.’ **– That’s what I said, and this is why I said it.**
Blake (405 rep)
Oct 5, 2022, 10:19 PM • Last activity: Oct 6, 2022, 07:36 AM
3 votes
6 answers
1156 views
Sequence in the noble eightfold path
It's clear right view is the foremost factor as without the right view one would not go for practicing the noble eightfold path at all. But when the rest is considered, is there a real sequence? My physical actions are generally good and my speech is fine but needs to be improved as I'm vulnerable t...
It's clear right view is the foremost factor as without the right view one would not go for practicing the noble eightfold path at all. But when the rest is considered, is there a real sequence? My physical actions are generally good and my speech is fine but needs to be improved as I'm vulnerable to idle chatter. But controlling speech the action is difficult to me. But when I realize that idle chatter(rather idle communication, not just idle chatter alone) leads to more dukkha I am abstaining from it. It's kind of right concentration. Am I following the noble eight foldpath correctly in that scenario?
seeker (963 rep)
Aug 3, 2016, 04:44 AM • Last activity: Oct 6, 2022, 06:25 AM
-3 votes
1 answers
79 views
Are "Concepts about Real" Concepts?
In Theravada, the Concepts are considered unreal ("person", "chariot" etc.). Then what about the "Concepts about Real" ("red", "perception")? Are they Concepts? or Real?
In Theravada, the Concepts are considered unreal ("person", "chariot" etc.). Then what about the "Concepts about Real" ("red", "perception")? Are they Concepts? or Real?
Blake (405 rep)
Oct 5, 2022, 04:25 AM • Last activity: Oct 5, 2022, 09:42 PM
3 votes
6 answers
169 views
Civilization based on the teachings of Buddha
Would a civilization based on the teachings of Buddha ever had a need for military force? It is said in [Metta Sutta][1] that one who practices *metta* is free from dangers of fire, poison and weapons. Is the practice of *metta* enough to protect the citizens from any aggression? [1]: https://access...
Would a civilization based on the teachings of Buddha ever had a need for military force? It is said in Metta Sutta that one who practices *metta* is free from dangers of fire, poison and weapons. Is the practice of *metta* enough to protect the citizens from any aggression?
Marino Klisovich (174 rep)
Sep 30, 2022, 11:47 AM • Last activity: Oct 5, 2022, 09:11 PM
4 votes
5 answers
194 views
Does each Buddha find a new path?
I have a question that I find kind of interesting, and can't find an answer anywhere. Will the next Buddha find a new path, different from the middle way? Or will he rediscover the middle way once it's been forgotten. I think both are possible, but I'm not too sure.
I have a question that I find kind of interesting, and can't find an answer anywhere. Will the next Buddha find a new path, different from the middle way? Or will he rediscover the middle way once it's been forgotten. I think both are possible, but I'm not too sure.
Danny (395 rep)
Aug 18, 2020, 01:22 PM • Last activity: Oct 5, 2022, 05:04 PM
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