What are the rules or guidelines on how a Buddhist should engage with others who would like to discuss philosophies, beliefs, ideas, and practices of other religions or belief systems? - Are Buddhists allowed to discuss / engage in the ideas to some degree? Or is it shunned. - How does Buddhism incorporate ideas outside the main canon / system? _(Generally speaking)_ - Are certain topics to be never discussed? This would help me ask better questions to the Buddhism community in general, but also would serve as a gauge as to how to interact. Basically, what is acceptable conversation topics in the end.

Would it be similar like the destiny for monks? It's said that one living on alms, not doing his duties (foremost sense-restrain) but enjoys sensual pleasures increases his debts: e.g. poorness, strong dependend, low states. And those without metta and virtue, fall under the category of thieves. Do those solcial-consumer, relaying even on alms not even given for the liberating practice, not maybe even steal or misuse from both communities and thereby head toward much pain, generate toward real outcasts everywhere?

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.

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?

There are a number of texts explaining **how** to live in a community, what rules to follow, what activities, etc. For instance, the classical Vinaya texts, or the "Standards and Rules of Purity" genre in China and Japan (ex.: Chanyuan qinggui, Dogen's Ehei Shingi, etc). However, I am looking for traditional texts that explain **why** to live in a community. It could be aimed at monks, lay people, or both. The denomination does not matter much. I'm looking for commentaries or treatises rather than sutras. It is to use the material as a basis for giving lectures.

What is the Sublime Buddhas approach in regard of judging a certain community and it's governing? What makes a community conducting badly? Which kind of community can only fail (in regard of good deeds, benefical in long terms) by democratic means? Which kind of community allows democratic ways? Which kind of community requires authority? ...

Say one dwells somewhere, somehow, enjoys or feeds on certain hospitality, at which occasion, at which point, it would be proper to leave and no more return? So what's the time? Is time running out? Koan-cracks also welcome!

If one reads [this quote by a monk](https://ninjastream.to/download/n9JZrxK8gAG72/atid-370-uncensored-mp4) , who is referring to [donations to SuttaCentral](https://suttacentral.net/donations?lang=en) : >...For the past week or so, we’ve been actually losing money on Stripe: paying more in settlement fees than we get in donations. - What should one assume in regard of observing Vinaya while letting people believe to act in preserving a noble tradition? *This seems to be referring to asking people to donate money, to preserve a noble tradition (i.e. the scriptures published by SuttaCentral) -- but can they be doing this and observing Vinaya?* - Maybe some can quote some related texts to money and relation issues from open resources on the matter to try to catch bite the tail (don't forget to donate...). What faults can come into play? What's required to make with things attained wrongly? What can be assumed when Bhikkhus share food and success, trade together with lay people? *To answer this question, perhaps quote from available from resources, on issues such as money and relationships. Are these faults? Is this an example of Bhikkhus sharing food, and success, and trading commercially with lay people?*

My person thought it's possible good to count and remember the reaction of Dhammikas when "fellows" get in conflict. Not taking side, what are the useful supports in regard of conflicts in other single relations? While common fools, group-identifying, increase conflicts, how does a wise give helpful support for all? How do faithful householder, faithfull Brahmans, wise recluse, pull out nourishment of heat?

A good friend emailed me about some troubles in a Buddhist meditation group she belongs to. It's a lay led group. The problems are some apparent power struggles about even routine matters and also an element of cliquishness. It seems to be just a small number of people out of the group that are creating the issues. I don't really know how this sort of thing should be viewed from a Buddhist point of view. But if anyone has a solution or a correct way of looking at this I'd like to pass it along to her. She likes the group overall and she really didn't expect to find this type of behavior among meditators. My specific question is "From a Buddhist point of view, how do we view bad behavior specifically in a Buddhist setting? Should we allow for these very unenlightened behaviors as we ourselves are unenlightened too? Or should be expect more and move on as this type of behavior may indicate that the meditation is this group is just not working somehow.?" In other words, if meditation is sincere and regular, can these types of defilements simply continue with no improvement in an individual?

I often read about monks have little free time in their schedules but aside from teaching other monks I am not sure what they do with all their time. I have seen monks in Tibet working in an orphanage and monks in Thailand giving public talks. Aside from this what involvement with the community do monks have (excluding dana)?

Actually from [another question](https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/q/41786/19889) before, but since all are part of certain communities here, good to work out seperate: **"Does the Buddha have any practices for groups and societies that would lead society to less suffering?", or say to prosperty, not to decay.** May the advices, as seen coming from the Sublime Buddha, elders, monk, Brahmans, Insider, are also of good for you community here and elsewhere. (And since this all about Buddhism is a steady encouragement in practical way, a meta with metta issue, also the link to the current place of practice and reflection of yours: [2020 Community Moderator Election](https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/election?cb=1) , since where do you like to run again away and consume further without to pay as your past merits run out... and not free from desire, craving yet?) *[Note that this isn't given for stacks, exchanges, other world-binding trades and entertainments but for going on, going forth, escape from this wheel]*

Coming from an Islamic background and having a community/Sangha that is loyal to the religion of Islam, how do you harmoniously integrate yourself and your Buddhist study and practice with the community you were born in including within a mosque?

Today people are **betraying** each other in different levels without considering relationships and bonds. *For example scenarios:* - Children betrays parents and ignore them - Boy/Girl cheats on Girl/Boy due to bad friends and bad intensions - Betrays who were in need when got succeeded and forget them I can't understand how people do these kind of very simple to understand misdeeds. **Even a dog wags it's tail when we gave it some food just ONE time.** Then why does these humans do this inappropriate acts without giving any values to relationships, bonds ??? Lord Buddha did '**animisa lochana puuja**' to the Bo Tree as it helps Buddha to get Enlightenment. Can anyone explain in practical scenarios that how can we teach our loved ones not to betray anyone in life with the guidance of Buddhism ? How can we teach our friends Betraying is bad ? AND most importantly How can we make our mind when someone Betrayed ON us ??

Hurting someone physically, Mentally, Verbally is a sin according to Buddhism. As I believe no matter we love or hate each other, anyhow we don't have any ownership of any others lives. 1. So how about **Gossiping** or the **tattling** about others lives ? 2. How does Buddhism explain ***specifically*** about TATTLING ?? 3. How one should practice not to Gossip about others lives ? 4. In the other way how one should practice to face others Gossiping about himself/herself ?

This community wiki post is about gathering lists that serve as a ***quick-overview*** of the different Dhammas in Buddhism. We are looking for dhamma-lists from all traditions. If you have found a list and want to post it please follow the same formating style.