Buddhism
Q&A for people practicing or interested in Buddhist philosophy, teaching, and practice
Latest Questions
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What is the Noble Eightfold Path?
Where is the Noble Eightfold Path found in the Pali Canon? Are there significant differences among the traditions in its interpretation?
Where is the Noble Eightfold Path found in the Pali Canon? Are there significant differences among the traditions in its interpretation?
user50
Jun 26, 2014, 06:11 PM
• Last activity: Oct 5, 2022, 04:12 PM
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Advice from Devadatta
When given advice by Devadatta (or a Devadatta-like person), should that person be ridiculed as a Buddha (i.e. the Buddha that he pretends to be), or as what he is behind the mask? Or both? When a hypocrite calls me up to behave in decent ways, then in order not to get tangled up in his net, I natur...
When given advice by Devadatta (or a Devadatta-like person), should that person be ridiculed as a Buddha (i.e. the Buddha that he pretends to be), or as what he is behind the mask? Or both?
When a hypocrite calls me up to behave in decent ways, then in order not to get tangled up in his net, I naturally get the urge to ridicule the Buddha into his face (possibly before ridiculing himself), in order to give a clear sign of not adhering to fake advice, even if giving that sign requires temporarily insulting the real Buddha. It’s as if saying “I’d rather ridicule the Buddha himself than take his Dhamma from someone like you”.
Erik Kaplun
(273 rep)
Oct 3, 2022, 12:32 PM
• Last activity: Oct 5, 2022, 08:53 AM
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3
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Buddha saying he doesn't have to follow all the rules?
In which sutta does the Buddha state that he does not have to follow all the monastic rules and austerities closely because he is already liberated and free, as an arahant? I remember reading this recently but I couldn't easily find it again.
In which sutta does the Buddha state that he does not have to follow all the monastic rules and austerities closely because he is already liberated and free, as an arahant?
I remember reading this recently but I couldn't easily find it again.
ruben2020
(40846 rep)
Sep 4, 2022, 04:18 PM
• Last activity: Oct 5, 2022, 08:19 AM
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What is stream entry?
While doing meditation I had experienced sudden stop of mind for a second. Then restart again reflecting that is peaceful. What was that experienced?is it stream entry?
While doing meditation I had experienced sudden stop of mind for a second. Then restart again reflecting that is peaceful. What was that experienced?is it stream entry?
Buddhika Kitsiri
(517 rep)
Jun 27, 2022, 05:20 AM
• Last activity: Oct 5, 2022, 05:00 AM
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If the Tathagata exists after death, is there anyone to witness it?
This is different from asking, "does the Tathagata exist after death? or not? or both? or neither?"
This is different from asking, "does the Tathagata exist after death? or not? or both? or neither?"
Jay
(9 rep)
Oct 4, 2022, 07:41 PM
• Last activity: Oct 5, 2022, 12:56 AM
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Where is the most knowledgeable Abhidhamma Community?
Who are the most knowledgeable Abhidhamma masters today? Where are the active Abhidhamma communities? - country - lineage - monastery - institute - teacher - group - website - forum
Who are the most knowledgeable Abhidhamma masters today? Where are the active Abhidhamma communities?
- country
- lineage
- monastery
- institute
- teacher
- group
- website
- forum
Blake
(405 rep)
Oct 4, 2022, 03:31 AM
• Last activity: Oct 4, 2022, 04:55 PM
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How to apply Eight-fold path[Aaryashtangika marga] to each virtue action as a Vipassana Meditation?
How to apply eight fold path to the wholesome act as meditation of three marks of existence (Pali: tilakkhaṇa) of all existence and beings, namely impermanence (aniccā), non-self (anattā) and unsatisfactoriness or suffering (dukkha)?
How to apply eight fold path to the wholesome act as meditation of three marks of existence (Pali: tilakkhaṇa) of all existence and beings, namely impermanence (aniccā), non-self (anattā) and unsatisfactoriness or suffering (dukkha)?
Sanath
(162 rep)
Sep 10, 2022, 11:56 AM
• Last activity: Oct 4, 2022, 05:19 AM
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How to experience Karma?
Today I realize that, if something good or bad happens to me, it is caused by Karma. It gave me a huge relief. Because before I would experience aversion when something bad happened to me. But now, I believe that I am 100% responsible for whatever happens to me. But, As I know, not everything is cau...
Today I realize that, if something good or bad happens to me, it is caused by Karma. It gave me a huge relief. Because before I would experience aversion when something bad happened to me. But now, I believe that I am 100% responsible for whatever happens to me.
But, As I know, not everything is caused by Karma. There are some other reasons such as whether, Dhamma etc. So how can I know the real cause behind something for sure? (Is it Karma or some other cause?)
It is said that someone needs to experience the truth to understand the truth. So how can I build a solid understanding of the cause behind things and Karma?
Dum
(725 rep)
May 1, 2020, 01:53 PM
• Last activity: Oct 4, 2022, 04:51 AM
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Why did Sakka steal the Visuddhimagga three times?
Why did Sakka steal the Visuddhimagga three times according to the legend -- was it because Visuddhimagga erroneously stated that it couldn't be done by a sotapanna?? Quoting from the Introduction to the English translation: > The reply was: 'I have come to translate the Buddha's Dispensation into M...
Why did Sakka steal the Visuddhimagga three times according to the legend -- was it because Visuddhimagga erroneously stated that it couldn't be done by a sotapanna??
Quoting from the Introduction to the English translation:
> The reply
was: 'I have come to translate the Buddha's Dispensation into Magadhan'. The senior
elder told him, 'If so, then construe the Three Pitakas upon the text beginning "When a
wise man, established well in virtue ..."'. He began the work that day, the stars being
favourable, and wrote very quickly. When finished, he put it aside and went to sleep.
Meanwhile Sakka Ruler of Gods abstracted the book. The elder awoke, and missing it,
he wrote another copy very fast by lamplight; then he put it aside and slept. Sakka
abstracted that too. The elder awoke, and not seeing his book, he wrote a third copy very
fast by lamplight and wrapped it in his robe. Then he slept again. While he was asleep
Sakka put the other two books beside him, and when he awoke he found all three copies.
He took them to the senior elder and told him what had happened. When they were read
over there was no difference even in a single letter. Thereupon the senior elder gave
permission for the translating of the Buddha's Dispensation. From then on the elder was
known to the people of Ceylon by the name of Buddhaghosa.
user8527
Aug 31, 2021, 06:23 PM
• Last activity: Oct 4, 2022, 04:47 AM
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Is secular Buddhism a religion?
I would like to know if the secular buddhism could be considered a religion. I have started to study about it a while ago and I think it's make much sense to me, could I consider me a buddhist, even though I don't believe in some of traditional buddhism beliefs?
I would like to know if the secular buddhism could be considered a religion. I have started to study about it a while ago and I think it's make much sense to me, could I consider me a buddhist, even though I don't believe in some of traditional buddhism beliefs?
AlfredV
(103 rep)
Sep 26, 2022, 01:54 AM
• Last activity: Oct 4, 2022, 04:41 AM
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Was this world built by mistake?
Buddha does not deny God. He simply refuses to be any God because all Gods are impermanent… that is they take birth, age and then die … which is painful. Or source of sorrow. My question is :Was this world built by mistake by some God ?
Buddha does not deny God. He simply refuses to be any God because all Gods are impermanent… that is they take birth, age and then die … which is painful. Or source of sorrow.
My question is :Was this world built by mistake by some God ?
Dheeraj Verma
(4296 rep)
Sep 25, 2022, 07:40 AM
• Last activity: Oct 3, 2022, 11:45 PM
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Was meditation not practiced for most of the history of Buddhism?
In a recent [Buddhist Geeks podcast][1] the presenter Bodhipaksa stated that by the time the Buddhagosa wrote the commentary [Visuddhimagga][2] in the 5th Century CE, meditation had been largely abandoned. He goes on to state that there is good evidence that 500 years previously Buddhist monks had g...
In a recent Buddhist Geeks podcast the presenter Bodhipaksa stated that by the time the Buddhagosa wrote the commentary Visuddhimagga in the 5th Century CE, meditation had been largely abandoned. He goes on to state that there is good evidence that 500 years previously Buddhist monks had given up meditation and felt the best they could do was to pass down the Buddhist texts to further generations.
To what extent is this analysis of Buddhism true? Was meditation really not practiced for a large proportion of Buddhist history? If this is the case then when was meditation 'rediscovered' or at least reinvigorated?
Crab Bucket
(21199 rep)
Jan 4, 2015, 06:13 PM
• Last activity: Oct 3, 2022, 11:11 PM
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3
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What is difference between anapanasati and kāyagatā Sati?
I am seeing a pattern between MN118 and MN119.. That says something about kayagat sati..
I am seeing a pattern between MN118 and MN119.. That says something about kayagat sati..
Sachin Sharma
(1111 rep)
Sep 20, 2022, 06:35 AM
• Last activity: Oct 3, 2022, 10:45 PM
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2
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Why and how is Theravada and Mahayana Abhidha(r)(m)ma different?
I know this could potentially be a huge question: if abhidhamma/abhidharma differs in Theravada and Mahayana, how does is it differ and why?
I know this could potentially be a huge question: if abhidhamma/abhidharma differs in Theravada and Mahayana, how does is it differ and why?
vimutti
(572 rep)
Mar 31, 2022, 07:07 PM
• Last activity: Oct 3, 2022, 12:14 PM
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Why are "Fear and Shame" listed among the beautiful cetasikas?
I was wondering how the mental factors of *Fear and Shame* should be understood. Normally I would understand them both as being unwholesome but I guess in Abhidhamma-perspective they have a different meaning. How should they be understood according to the Abhidhamma? They are both listed as belongin...
I was wondering how the mental factors of *Fear and Shame* should be understood. Normally I would understand them both as being unwholesome but I guess in Abhidhamma-perspective they have a different meaning.
How should they be understood according to the Abhidhamma?
They are both listed as belonging to the group of *Beautiful or Moral* cetasikas.
user2424
Aug 26, 2015, 06:43 PM
• Last activity: Oct 3, 2022, 09:08 AM
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What is soul made of, as per Buddhism?
As per Buddhism, what are elements of soul, or what is soul made of? (If we split body and soul to separate them, then what are elements of soul?)
As per Buddhism, what are elements of soul, or what is soul made of?
(If we split body and soul to separate them, then what are elements of soul?)
fatherazrael
(121 rep)
May 21, 2015, 05:08 AM
• Last activity: Oct 3, 2022, 08:19 AM
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How much time it takes to experience 4th jhana?
Right now sometime if i try to concentrate i can feel the calmness in mind. Before 2 years i used to feel inner joy after doing meditation. If i do meditation everyday for 2 -3 hours, how much time will it take for me to leave the rupa jhana? Or simply, is their any time intervals in which meditator...
Right now sometime if i try to concentrate i can feel the calmness in mind. Before 2 years i used to feel inner joy after doing meditation. If i do meditation everyday for 2 -3 hours, how much time will it take for me to leave the rupa jhana?
Or simply, is their any time intervals in which meditator experiences all the jhanas one by one?
user10568
Jul 3, 2017, 04:08 PM
• Last activity: Oct 2, 2022, 09:34 PM
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Feelings while meditating
During deep meditation, I start to feel waves of some sort of energy that's hard to explain, the best analogy I can find is "an electrostatic feeling, like an aurora borealis" around the head, and sometimes the body too. The deeper the state, the more intense. Sometimes it gets so intense I have to...
During deep meditation, I start to feel waves of some sort of energy that's hard to explain, the best analogy I can find is "an electrostatic feeling, like an aurora borealis" around the head, and sometimes the body too. The deeper the state, the more intense. Sometimes it gets so intense I have to pause, but it is still a powerful and beautiful moment.
Do you have similar experiences?
maxisalamone
(133 rep)
Apr 28, 2022, 02:33 AM
• Last activity: Oct 2, 2022, 08:21 PM
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Can I adapt Buddha’s teachings into science?
Science is not part of Buddhas teachings but the teachings of Buddha can be adapted into science. For example : sabbe sanskara annica can be adopted by science (physics especially) This will translate as : No experiment can be repeated forever. No system can function smoothly forever. How do you thi...
Science is not part of Buddhas teachings but the teachings of Buddha can be adapted into science.
For example : sabbe sanskara annica can be adopted by science (physics especially)
This will translate as : No experiment can be repeated forever. No system can function smoothly forever.
How do you think my small attempt to bring Buddha and science together. holds ?
Can I adapt Buddha’s teaching into science ?
Dheeraj Verma
(4296 rep)
Sep 27, 2022, 08:24 PM
• Last activity: Oct 1, 2022, 10:40 AM
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(Why) did the Buddha teach rebirth?
1. Was rebirth introduced in the First or Second Turnings, and why did the Buddha teach it? E.g. was it necessary to understand emptiness, causality, etc.? For example, I imagine that some "reasons why" might include: - Maybe it helps deemphasize a person's current lifetime, highlighting its imperma...
1. Was rebirth introduced in the First or Second Turnings, and why did the Buddha teach it? E.g. was it necessary to understand emptiness, causality, etc.?
For example, I imagine that some "reasons why" might include:
- Maybe it helps deemphasize a person's current lifetime, highlighting its impermanence, so that one does not cling to it or themselves.
- On the other hand, for some, it seems to be a source of inspiration to persevere on the Path, for a "good rebirth".
2. Would any of the Buddhist doctrines, excluding karma and rebirth, fail to make sense without rebirth?
user8619
May 14, 2018, 03:24 AM
• Last activity: Sep 30, 2022, 05:51 AM
Showing page 81 of 20 total questions