Buddhism
Q&A for people practicing or interested in Buddhist philosophy, teaching, and practice
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Does mindfulness end kamma ? is that a good thing ?
Does mindfulness end kamma ? is that a good thing ? !!! yes I am aware that the goal is not to attach to anything so avoiding suffering and that good kamma in the end is also "bad" !!! I am asking about whats the benifits of mindfulness eradicating kamma becaus : Dont we all have a ton of kamma from...
Does mindfulness end kamma ? is that a good thing ?
!!! yes I am aware that the goal is not to attach to anything so avoiding suffering and that good kamma in the end is also "bad" !!!
I am asking about whats the benifits of mindfulness eradicating kamma becaus :
Dont we all have a ton of kamma from a gigantic amount of kamma and if we eradicate kammas throw mindfulness it will just be replaced with other kammas which can also be bad kammas ?
i mean its not like we reach nibana by cleaning up all the kamma "We" got - but by developing wisdom so whats the good thing about mindfulness ending *spesific* (not all) kammas ?
I ask this after receiving this reply (and wanted this as a follow up different question) :
"Right mindfulness is an intentional (mental) act therefore it is kamma. However it falls under a 3rd type of kamma that is called the "kamma that ends kamma". "
from here (I wanted this as a follow up in different new question) :
https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/questions/18689/is-mindfulness-itself-kamma-does-it-create-kamma
breath
(1454 rep)
Dec 30, 2016, 09:55 PM
• Last activity: Sep 29, 2022, 02:37 PM
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Source for bodhisattva transforming hell?
I vaguely remember reading how some bodhisattva out of compassion went to some hell and then transformed it into a pure land. Does anyone know that story? About which bodhisattva it is? And what's the source for it...
I vaguely remember reading how some bodhisattva out of compassion went to some hell and then transformed it into a pure land. Does anyone know that story? About which bodhisattva it is? And what's the source for it...
zeleni sok
(101 rep)
Sep 16, 2022, 06:22 PM
• Last activity: Sep 29, 2022, 04:48 AM
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Did the Buddha ever say, "I don't know"?
The fourth precept says we should be truthful. I think this means it's virtuous to truthfully admit to uncertainty when you don't know an answer, instead of pretending you do know or evading the question. Did the Buddha ever admit to not knowing something?
The fourth precept says we should be truthful. I think this means it's virtuous to truthfully admit to uncertainty when you don't know an answer, instead of pretending you do know or evading the question. Did the Buddha ever admit to not knowing something?
causative
(111 rep)
Sep 25, 2022, 07:58 PM
• Last activity: Sep 29, 2022, 04:37 AM
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Asking questions a "childish" way to learn, to teach?
In modern world it's often regarded as "poor" if asking questions. "What, you don't know?", others would fast lower others, yet forgeting that they have been given before as well. It is also the subtil fear to be obligated, fall into debt, that people "force" not to ask or on wrong places, wrong peo...
In modern world it's often regarded as "poor" if asking questions. "What, you don't know?", others would fast lower others, yet forgeting that they have been given before as well.
It is also the subtil fear to be obligated, fall into debt, that people "force" not to ask or on wrong places, wrong people and so the tendency goes in direction "steal" thinking not causing debts.
The times of google and more or lesser anonymos exchange places make it even more common that people seek, if even, for places to gain, where they believe not to accumulate debts.
It's not seldom, out of this, that "asking questions" is estimated as childish, the way "unwise" and "poor", "people of less skill" come to gain Dhamma.
What do you think, is there an adult way that replaces questioning? Is asking questions, asking for things childish?
(A maybe useful reflection that might make some parts understandable for answering the question: [Giving, taking and the "new" world - "Labour makes (you) free!?"](http://sangham.net/index.php/page,Arbeit-macht-frei.html))
*[Note: This is a gift of Dhamma, not meant for commercial purpose or other low wordily gain by means of trade and exchange]*
user11235
Oct 15, 2017, 12:11 AM
• Last activity: Sep 28, 2022, 09:45 AM
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What is New Age Buddhism?
I've noticed that we have a tag on the site for New Age Buddhism which has a couple of questions associated with it (one more now I've asked this!). What is New Age Buddhism though. Can anyone give a reasonable concise definition of it, maybe point to some links for more detail and give a few teache...
I've noticed that we have a tag on the site for New Age Buddhism which has a couple of questions associated with it (one more now I've asked this!). What is New Age Buddhism though. Can anyone give a reasonable concise definition of it, maybe point to some links for more detail and give a few teachers that follow or expound this line of Buddhism. Does it have anything that uniquely differentiates it from other forms of Buddhism. Or it is a not genuine concept at all?
Crab Bucket
(21199 rep)
Sep 18, 2014, 06:22 PM
• Last activity: Sep 27, 2022, 07:04 PM
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Is being entertained always considered a negative thing?
I was surprised by the answers to the question https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/q/10247/5522 Specifically, [@BuddHo's answer](https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/a/10250/5522) which takes on the question >Why must entertainment be eschewed? I thought it was a great answer that clearly explained how...
I was surprised by the answers to the question https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/q/10247/5522
Specifically, [@BuddHo's answer](https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/a/10250/5522) which takes on the question
>Why must entertainment be eschewed?
I thought it was a great answer that clearly explained how being entertained *could be* a means of escape - to get away from being bored and relying on outside influences to create happiness.
However, I had some questions I had left in the comments, but thought I should perhaps expand them into a new question here.
> I am still struggling with your explanation for "Why must entertainment be eschewed?" Is not any action we take, even mentally, technically a source of entertainment - even practicing mindfulness?
>
>I think its the definition that causes me to struggle. "*Entertainment is the distractive cure for fear masked as boredom*" - I consider boredom and entertainment to be opposites, but that definition suggests otherwise. If one was doing nothing, yet was fine (not bored) - I would consider that as being entertained. If it is not one or the other, what is it when one is not bored, and not being entertained?
Is being entertained always considered a negative thing?
DoubleDouble
(203 rep)
Jul 20, 2015, 09:14 PM
• Last activity: Sep 27, 2022, 10:26 AM
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Selling and use Dhamma as advertising
It's very common in South East Asia today that business people try to socialize with potential customers by appearing or pretending as Dhamma-teacher or Dhamma-friend. Most meetings around the Gems are mainly for such a purpose and is very usual. How does the Sublime Buddha and knowledgeable Elders...
It's very common in South East Asia today that business people try to socialize with potential customers by appearing or pretending as Dhamma-teacher or Dhamma-friend.
Most meetings around the Gems are mainly for such a purpose and is very usual.
How does the Sublime Buddha and knowledgeable Elders regard such ways? What fruits are to be expected from such actions?
user24159
(11 rep)
Sep 22, 2022, 03:40 PM
• Last activity: Sep 27, 2022, 05:28 AM
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What is the most accurate translation of the word 'dukkha'?
This question is a sequel to [my previous question][1] about First Noble Truth. It seems that there is discord about the exact rendering of the word 'dukkha'. Sorry if I sound like a pedantic dou*h. I am just trying to understand it clearly. So the answer I received in [this link][2] and [this link]...
This question is a sequel to my previous question about First Noble Truth.
It seems that there is discord about the exact rendering of the word 'dukkha'. Sorry if I sound like a pedantic dou*h. I am just trying to understand it clearly.
So the answer I received in this link and this link translates it as 'stress'. (I personally think it's wrong, but I am not any authority or scholar).
The Wikipedia page for dukkha gives the following translations: "suffering", "unhappiness", "pain", "unsatisfactoriness" or "stress".
So what's the exact meaning?
I am asking because the exact rendering changes the meaning and its effectiveness as teaching a lot.
The White Cloud
(2420 rep)
Aug 8, 2020, 01:41 PM
• Last activity: Sep 26, 2022, 10:06 PM
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If that which is aware of fear is not fearful then isn't that which is aware of happiness not happy?
It seems clear to me that that which is aware of sadness, anger, or anxiety is not sad, angry, or anxious. But shouldn't this work the other way as well? Wouldn't this mean that that which is aware of happiness or joy is not happy or joyful? It feels like by this logic that mindfulness, when applied...
It seems clear to me that that which is aware of sadness, anger, or anxiety is not sad, angry, or anxious. But shouldn't this work the other way as well? Wouldn't this mean that that which is aware of happiness or joy is not happy or joyful? It feels like by this logic that mindfulness, when applied to positive states, nullifies them or diminishes them and that one wouldn't want to do this. If mindfulness diminishes the power of negative emotions wouldn't it diminish the power of positive ones as well? I'm not sure how this is desirable. What exactly am I missing?
Evan Naugler
(21 rep)
Sep 17, 2022, 05:40 PM
• Last activity: Sep 26, 2022, 09:30 PM
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How does one Realize emptiness?
Are there specific practices, meditation instructions, intended to identify and realize/experience emptiness? Is this different than realizing non-self, or the emptiness of the self? or the emptiness of other/objects?
Are there specific practices, meditation instructions, intended to identify and realize/experience emptiness? Is this different than realizing non-self, or the emptiness of the self? or the emptiness of other/objects?
Linda Wright
(103 rep)
Jan 25, 2017, 08:58 PM
• Last activity: Sep 26, 2022, 11:39 AM
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What can one do with knowings that occur from strong intuition?
Please see a breakdown of how one may approach the question... - 'Knowings' in this sense has not been influenced by external stimulus. One can know things about our environment using the six senses as a substrate between the seeming reality *out there* and the seeming mind *in here.* However, one c...
Please see a breakdown of how one may approach the question...
- 'Knowings' in this sense has not been influenced by external stimulus. One can know things about our environment using the six senses as a substrate between the seeming reality *out there* and the seeming mind *in here.* However, one can also have a knowing that occurs apparently separate from this process.
- Intuition in the question here refers to an instinctual awareness that something is so but interestingly the intuition hasn't arisen through the conventional methods of learning; there has been no previous auto-suggestion.
The knowing itself is the knowing of rebirth. It has been something I've steered well clear of but, suddenly, there was the clear knowing that rebirth is so.
Thus the conflict occurs - if I have relied on my six senses all my life to know things, how could I know rebirth to be so?
What on earth is 'Mind'??? Where is Mind'??? (Rhetorical questions but if you're feeling cognitively malleable then feel free to answer these also!)
user14082
Sep 20, 2018, 05:46 PM
• Last activity: Sep 25, 2022, 01:00 PM
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Expaining The Holocaust & karma to a non-Buddhist
How can you explain karma in the genocide of babies and "innocents" (For example: The Holocaust) in Buddhist terms to a non-Buddhist, without seeming cold and uncaring? Yesterday, I tried--by saying, "I cannot say unequivocally, why the millions had to suffer or whether karma came into play or not,...
How can you explain karma in the genocide of babies and "innocents" (For example: The Holocaust) in Buddhist terms to a non-Buddhist, without seeming cold and uncaring? Yesterday, I tried--by saying, "I cannot say unequivocally, why the millions had to suffer or whether karma came into play or not, but perhaps it is better to focus attention on the present and try to generate good karma here and now." I know Buddha said certain topics will only foster disputation and I felt like this is one of those that can only be speculation so I steered the conversation in another direction. What can you say in a better (or kinder) way to explain it to a non-Buddhist person who asks how the holocaust suffering can be justified and who expresses interest in knowing the Buddhist view about it?
Jo Jo Z
(183 rep)
Nov 11, 2017, 06:18 AM
• Last activity: Sep 25, 2022, 04:47 AM
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Have any notable Buddhists commented on Krishnamurti's teachings?
Have any important Buddhists made any claim/s about [Krishnamurti's][1] teachings? Especially (caveat I know nothing about this) his claim that > "Tell them **there is *nothing* to understand**" Bold emphasis is [mine][1]. or > He claimed that the demand for enlightenment was the only thing > standi...
Have any important Buddhists made any claim/s about Krishnamurti's teachings? Especially (caveat I know nothing about this) his claim that
> "Tell them **there is *nothing* to understand**"
Bold emphasis is mine .
or
> He claimed that the demand for enlightenment was the only thing
> standing in the way of enlightenment itself, if enlightenment existed
> at all.
user2512
Dec 24, 2016, 10:33 AM
• Last activity: Sep 23, 2022, 02:13 PM
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How do we know 'Buddha says?'
I think I correctly assume this Buddhism site is (appropriately) open to many, if not all, forms of Buddhism(?) However, when folks say things like “Buddha said” I often wonder what to make of this. Are there recommended well-researched references materials (hopefully, with relatively little ax-to-g...
I think I correctly assume this Buddhism site is (appropriately) open to many, if not all, forms of Buddhism(?) However, when folks say things like “Buddha said” I often wonder what to make of this. Are there recommended well-researched references materials (hopefully, with relatively little ax-to-grind) to help with appreciating the validity of such statements?
Jeffrey Rothweiler
(73 rep)
Sep 19, 2022, 10:38 PM
• Last activity: Sep 21, 2022, 12:07 PM
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Which is more important - right of individual or the greater good?
The topic is really the question. In Buddhism, which is regarded as more important, the right of an individual or the greater good? Perhaps there is no distinction made, I don't know. Or does it depend on the circumstances?
The topic is really the question. In Buddhism, which is regarded as more important, the right of an individual or the greater good? Perhaps there is no distinction made, I don't know.
Or does it depend on the circumstances?
Steve
(101 rep)
Sep 20, 2022, 04:45 AM
• Last activity: Sep 21, 2022, 03:50 AM
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Did any East Asian scholars do any work on Buddhist logic and epistemology?
Did any Chinese, Japanese, Korean, or Vietnamese Buddhists write about Buddhist logic in the tradition of Vasubandhu, Dignaga, and Dharmakirti? What were their contributions to logic and epistemology?
Did any Chinese, Japanese, Korean, or Vietnamese Buddhists write about Buddhist logic in the tradition of Vasubandhu, Dignaga, and Dharmakirti? What were their contributions to logic and epistemology?
Davir Lun
(11 rep)
Sep 20, 2022, 04:43 PM
2
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Can someone help me find where these suttas are from in the Tipitaka?
First text screenshot says **MLD. 131**. Where is that from? [![enter image description here][1]][1] Second text screenshot says **M. 19**. Where is that from? [![enter image description here][2]][2] Screenshots are taken from Ven. Dhammajivas book called [*Mahasi Insight Meditation*][3]. [1]: https...
First text screenshot says **MLD. 131**. Where is that from?
Second text screenshot says **M. 19**. Where is that from?
Screenshots are taken from Ven. Dhammajivas book called *Mahasi Insight Meditation* .
Second text screenshot says **M. 19**. Where is that from?
Screenshots are taken from Ven. Dhammajivas book called *Mahasi Insight Meditation* .
user24100
Sep 16, 2022, 12:32 PM
• Last activity: Sep 20, 2022, 11:58 AM
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How Lord Buddha did sermon for the people who was long distance
If my memory is correct, Lord Buddha did a sermon for the long-distance people. It is mentioned that Lord Budha can do a sermon even for someone in another solar system. How is it possible? Because to travel sound to long-distance takes time(possibly years). Can someone give me an answer with refere...
If my memory is correct, Lord Buddha did a sermon for the long-distance people. It is mentioned that Lord Budha can do a sermon even for someone in another solar system. How is it possible? Because to travel sound to long-distance takes time(possibly years). Can someone give me an answer with references from Tripitaka?
Lakmal Vithanage
(99 rep)
Sep 15, 2022, 11:01 AM
• Last activity: Sep 19, 2022, 06:43 AM
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1
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Plato's understanding of passion
What would Buddhists say in response to the statement by Plato in [The Republic Book IV][1]: > And are there not many other cases in which we observe that when a > man's desires violently prevail over his reason, he reviles himself, > and is angry at the violence within him, and that in this struggl...
What would Buddhists say in response to the statement by Plato in The Republic Book IV :
> And are there not many other cases in which we observe that when a
> man's desires violently prevail over his reason, he reviles himself,
> and is angry at the violence within him, and that in this struggle,
> which is like the struggle of factions in a State, his spirit is on
> the side of his reason;
> You remember that passion or spirit appeared at first sight to be a
> kind of desire, but now we should say quite the contrary; for in the
> conflict of the soul, spirit (passion) is arrayed on the side of the
> rational principle (reason).
I have some ideas but I would like some other opinions. I'm primarily interested in the second paragraph, and not so much regarding the concept of soul. Just to clear up my assumption, I equate reason to be the same as Buddhist concept of intellect.
It seems true, but is it just morality? Even morality is reason no?
āḷasu bhikhārī
(2033 rep)
Sep 12, 2022, 01:03 PM
• Last activity: Sep 19, 2022, 02:28 AM
2
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3
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Does a Pali thesaurus exist?
When seeking to refine my mental maps of the world in any domain of expertise to more precisely differentiate between similar terms, I have found a thesaurus to be an invaluable tool. The domain of expertise of the Buddha, namely the path from suffering to the end of suffering, is arguably of more i...
When seeking to refine my mental maps of the world in any domain of expertise to more precisely differentiate between similar terms, I have found a thesaurus to be an invaluable tool.
The domain of expertise of the Buddha, namely the path from suffering to the end of suffering, is arguably of more importance than any other domain of expertise, and yet, I am not able to find a Pali thesaurus.
Does this exist?
Is anyone working on this?
Alex Ryan
(604 rep)
Aug 27, 2022, 06:07 PM
• Last activity: Sep 17, 2022, 05:43 AM
Showing page 82 of 20 total questions