Buddhism
Q&A for people practicing or interested in Buddhist philosophy, teaching, and practice
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11
votes
6
answers
1492
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What is the Interpretation of Parimukham in the context of Buddhist Meditation?
What is the interpretation of parimukham in the context of Buddhist Meditation? This seems to have different interpretation and translations? What are the different interpretations and translations and what might be the most correct interpretation according to different line of practice? How is the...
What is the interpretation of parimukham in the context of Buddhist Meditation?
This seems to have different interpretation and translations? What are the different interpretations and translations and what might be the most correct interpretation according to different line of practice? How is the particular interpretation rationalised?
Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena
(37139 rep)
Aug 7, 2014, 04:05 AM
• Last activity: Jul 14, 2023, 05:18 AM
7
votes
5
answers
12072
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Which Buddhist Meditation is comparable to Transcendental Meditation?
A friend of mine was practicing zazen for many years. They started to get discourage with their practice and started to explore transcendental mediation. Now, they claim their progress with TM is far better in a matter of weeks when compared to zazen. I was wondering if there is an equivalent to TM...
A friend of mine was practicing zazen for many years. They started to get discourage with their practice and started to explore transcendental mediation. Now, they claim their progress with TM is far better in a matter of weeks when compared to zazen. I was wondering if there is an equivalent to TM in any of the Buddhist traditions? If so, what are the basics and framework of the parallel type of meditation?
DharmaEater
(2199 rep)
Jul 15, 2014, 12:17 AM
• Last activity: Jan 8, 2022, 03:56 AM
2
votes
4
answers
2073
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Does the "Zen Master" from Cyberpunk 2077 accurately represent Buddhism?
In the game Cyberpunk 2077, you can encounter a character labelled only as "Zen Master", who offers your player character the opportunity to engage in meditations with him. However, the content of the meditations he offers doesn't seem to be based off of actual Buddhism from my understanding of it,...
In the game Cyberpunk 2077, you can encounter a character labelled only as "Zen Master", who offers your player character the opportunity to engage in meditations with him. However, the content of the meditations he offers doesn't seem to be based off of actual Buddhism from my understanding of it, though I am not a Buddhist or an expert on Buddhist philosophy or practice. Rather, it seems much more like Western New Age philosophy.
Here's a video someone made compiling the player's interactions with him:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=In8etjG6LMQ
Does this character present an accurate representation of Buddhist philosophy and/or practice (especially Zen Buddhism, given his name), or is the portrayal as bad as I think it might be? If it is bad, is it to the point of being offensive?
nick012000
(199 rep)
Jan 4, 2021, 06:39 AM
• Last activity: Jan 5, 2021, 11:38 AM
5
votes
5
answers
215
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Sutra Study as Meditation?
When studying the sutras should that be considered a form of meditation, if so what are the guidelines for sutra meditation?
When studying the sutras should that be considered a form of meditation, if so what are the guidelines for sutra meditation?
DharmaEater
(2199 rep)
Jul 2, 2014, 01:27 AM
• Last activity: Oct 14, 2019, 11:30 PM
6
votes
4
answers
5731
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What is the different between Nirodha Samapatti and Phala Samapatti?
What is the different between Nirodha Samapatti and Phala Samapatti? Are they the same? What are the distinctions between them?
What is the different between Nirodha Samapatti and Phala Samapatti? Are they the same? What are the distinctions between them?
Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena
(37139 rep)
Sep 4, 2014, 09:14 AM
• Last activity: Sep 26, 2019, 09:28 AM
2
votes
1
answers
142
views
Sensory Deprivation tank
Have you heard of sensory deprivation tanks? This is a tank which is supposed to be soundproofed and dark, and which would hold a little water for a person to float in. The idea is for the conditions inside the tank to allow a person to enter a place where they can avoid all bodily sensation. Still...
Have you heard of sensory deprivation tanks? This is a tank which is supposed to be soundproofed and dark, and which would hold a little water for a person to float in. The idea is for the conditions inside the tank to allow a person to enter a place where they can avoid all bodily sensation. Still not for creating aversion to the body/bodily sensations, is this type of experience valuable in the practice of meditation? Would you yourself consider trying this experience for yourself?
Dylan
(21 rep)
Sep 21, 2016, 07:43 AM
• Last activity: Sep 21, 2016, 12:07 PM
3
votes
2
answers
3291
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What is "thukdam"?
I was reading an article in National Geographic about death, in which there was a brief reference to "thukdam". This was described as a form of meditation that takes place in India, during which monks meditate for a week or more with no biological processes occurring in their bodies (essentially, th...
I was reading an article in National Geographic about death, in which there was a brief reference to "thukdam". This was described as a form of meditation that takes place in India, during which monks meditate for a week or more with no biological processes occurring in their bodies (essentially, their bodies are dead), and then come out of the meditation with no apparent consequences. What is this meditation and could someone provide references for further info?
Thanks
Ian
(2663 rep)
Apr 2, 2016, 03:44 PM
• Last activity: Sep 15, 2016, 07:40 AM
1
votes
1
answers
99
views
What are the Major Meditation Traditions / Masters in Laos / Cambodia / Vietnam?
What are the Major Meditation Traditions / Masters in Laos / Cambodia / Vietnam? Does Cambodia prominent meditation lineages which originated in Laos / Cambodia / Vietnam? What are the lineages originating elsewhere coming to Laos / Cambodia / Vietnam? Do they have variation from practiced elsewhere...
What are the Major Meditation Traditions / Masters in Laos / Cambodia / Vietnam? Does Cambodia prominent meditation lineages which originated in Laos / Cambodia / Vietnam? What are the lineages originating elsewhere coming to Laos / Cambodia / Vietnam? Do they have variation from practiced elsewhere?
Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena
(37139 rep)
Dec 29, 2015, 04:12 AM
• Last activity: Dec 29, 2015, 03:35 PM
5
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2
answers
2614
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Buddhist shaolin monks and their practice
I once saw a television program about Buddhist shaolin monks. They were extremely skilled in martial arts and begin their training as young as 3-4 years old. Their day consists of martial arts training and Buddhist practice. I was wondering about two things: - What Buddhist tradition do shaolin monk...
I once saw a television program about Buddhist shaolin monks. They were extremely skilled in martial arts and begin their training as young as 3-4 years old. Their day consists of martial arts training and Buddhist practice.
I was wondering about two things:
- What Buddhist tradition do shaolin monks follow?
- What kind of meditation do they practice?
Thank you for your time.
Lanka
_Click on photos for full size_
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user2424
May 27, 2015, 09:18 AM
• Last activity: Dec 29, 2015, 08:59 AM
5
votes
4
answers
10334
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What is Thögal?
Recently I came across a progressive series of workshops working out of the Kusum Rangshar (by Shardza Tashi Gyaltsen) where one of the classes revolved around a practice called Thögal (ཐོད་རྒལ་). Searching for this term to determine what exactly it is has not been particularly fruitful in Engl...
Recently I came across a progressive series of workshops working out of the Kusum Rangshar (by Shardza Tashi Gyaltsen) where one of the classes revolved around a practice called Thögal (ཐོད་རྒལ་).
Searching for this term to determine what exactly it is has not been particularly fruitful in English-language sources other than to say that it is linked with the practice of dzogchen, so I am wondering if there is a reasonable high-level description of what it is or what it entails?
Hrafn
(1239 rep)
Sep 5, 2014, 04:45 PM
• Last activity: Oct 19, 2015, 11:36 PM
6
votes
1
answers
1327
views
Is the skeleton meditation of Buddhist origin?
[I came across a skeleton meditation mentioned in this answer on this site](https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/a/10332/254), and I was interested because it supposedly grants interesting special abilities. Googling it, I just found pages about something called white skeleton meditation, which I assu...
[I came across a skeleton meditation mentioned in this answer on this site](https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/a/10332/254) , and I was interested because it supposedly grants interesting special abilities.
Googling it, I just found pages about something called white skeleton meditation, which I assume is the same thing (although according to guesswork on other forums it is either a Tibetan Buddhist type of meditation or a Taoist meditation but apparently NOT zen). Most sites that describe WSM talk of qi (because it "nourishes ones qi"), something I've never heard mentioned in a Buddhist context but I've heard very little.
Wikipedia seems to have nothing on the subject, so what is the origin of skeleton meditation? Is it a Buddhist meditation? A skeleton meditation is mentioned in [this little book by Pa Auk Sayadaw](http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/nibbana1.pdf) (which I suppose is the same as the meditation mentioned in the answer referenced above).
Did Buddha ever talk of/teach this meditation?
inzenity
(674 rep)
Sep 4, 2015, 05:23 PM
• Last activity: Sep 5, 2015, 08:45 AM
3
votes
1
answers
1213
views
What is the difference between Shikantaza and Zazen?
What is the difference between Shikantaza and Zazen? I used to think that Zazen was synonymous with just sitting but I'm starting to doubt that. Is it Shikantaza that is synonymous with just sitting practice? It would help me if someone could define them and bring out the relationship between the tw...
What is the difference between Shikantaza and Zazen? I used to think that Zazen was synonymous with just sitting but I'm starting to doubt that. Is it Shikantaza that is synonymous with just sitting practice? It would help me if someone could define them and bring out the relationship between the two and the relationship between them both and just sitting practice. Thank you.
Crab Bucket
(21181 rep)
Jul 16, 2015, 08:20 PM
• Last activity: Jul 17, 2015, 12:34 PM
6
votes
1
answers
112
views
What is the mental factor of Adhimokkkha (determination) use for?
I am interested in what many ways [Adhimokkha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adhimoksha)(determination) is used in meditation or other purposes in different traditions.
I am interested in what many ways [Adhimokkha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adhimoksha)(determination) is used in meditation or other purposes in different traditions.
Samadhi
(3416 rep)
Jun 14, 2015, 08:39 AM
• Last activity: Jun 21, 2015, 07:46 PM
4
votes
2
answers
2732
views
What is Generation Stage Meditation also known as Utpattikrama?
There are many forms of meditation found in Buddhism. Zazen is possibly the most well know form of meditation in the West. However, in there are many different types of mediation. In Vajrayana there appears to be many different types and stages of mediation as well. One form is called "generation st...
There are many forms of meditation found in Buddhism. Zazen is possibly the most well know form of meditation in the West. However, in there are many different types of mediation. In Vajrayana there appears to be many different types and stages of mediation as well. One form is called "generation stage meditation" or also known as utpattikrama. What exactly is "generation stage meditation" and how is it practiced?
DharmaEater
(2199 rep)
Jul 6, 2014, 02:46 AM
• Last activity: May 30, 2015, 03:50 PM
5
votes
1
answers
441
views
What is Completion Stage Meditation also known as Nispannakrama?
In Vajrayana there appears to be many different types and stages of mediation. One form is called "completion stage meditation" also known as nispannakrama. It appears to be associated with something called Anuttarayoga Tantra. What exactly is "completion stage meditation" and how is it practiced?
In Vajrayana there appears to be many different types and stages of mediation. One form is called "completion stage meditation" also known as nispannakrama. It appears to be associated with something called Anuttarayoga Tantra. What exactly is "completion stage meditation" and how is it practiced?
DharmaEater
(2199 rep)
Jul 6, 2014, 03:01 AM
• Last activity: May 30, 2015, 03:49 PM
10
votes
3
answers
299
views
Difference in Buddhist meditation and meditation in other religions
What is the exact difference in Buddhist meditation and meditation in other religions.
What is the exact difference in Buddhist meditation and meditation in other religions.
gaj
(885 rep)
Jul 29, 2014, 03:02 PM
• Last activity: May 30, 2015, 03:31 PM
1
votes
1
answers
1450
views
What are the verses relating to meditation in the Tripitaka? And to what type of meditation does it relate to?
Works like Visuddhimagga covers 40 types of meditations. I am looking for the original source of these meditations within the Tripitaka. Ideally with complete bibliographical references to the occurrences within the Tripitaka.
Works like Visuddhimagga covers 40 types of meditations. I am looking for the original source of these meditations within the Tripitaka. Ideally with complete bibliographical references to the occurrences within the Tripitaka.
Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena
(37139 rep)
Aug 11, 2014, 04:05 AM
• Last activity: May 30, 2015, 03:30 PM
2
votes
2
answers
200
views
Practice taxonomy
I know there are a lot of practices in many different traditions. Can you redirect me to some source where different types of practice are somewhat classified? I'm not clear how this could be done, but maybe something in the lines of [this book][1]? [1]: http://www.sbinstitute.com/node/219
I know there are a lot of practices in many different traditions. Can you redirect me to some source where different types of practice are somewhat classified? I'm not clear how this could be done, but maybe something in the lines of this book ?
Abdul
(285 rep)
Jul 2, 2014, 11:09 PM
• Last activity: May 30, 2015, 03:28 PM
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