Buddhism
Q&A for people practicing or interested in Buddhist philosophy, teaching, and practice
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Why to do good and bad?
If there's no specific purpose in life, If we have to give meaning to life by ourselves, then why doing good and bad matters ?
If there's no specific purpose in life, If we have to give meaning to life by ourselves, then why doing good and bad matters ?
Abdul Ahad
(3 rep)
Aug 9, 2025, 11:24 AM
• Last activity: Aug 12, 2025, 05:40 PM
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Is there an established practice of consciously categorizing one's thoughts and actions?
Is it commonly taught in buddhism to 'deem' one's thought or actions to be of a category? Example: Thoughts are about how to redeem oneself after having said something to a crush that makes us look unattractive. Then, we become aware of this thought, and categorize it as "Worrying about sexual/roman...
Is it commonly taught in buddhism to 'deem' one's thought or actions to be of a category?
Example: Thoughts are about how to redeem oneself after having said something to a crush that makes us look unattractive.
Then, we become aware of this thought, and categorize it as "Worrying about sexual/romantic attainments" or "Worrying about reputation", sort of "labeling" the thought.
I have noticed that doing this helps me detach from aggregates, so I wonder if this is an established practice.
reign
(247 rep)
Jul 13, 2025, 11:46 AM
• Last activity: Jul 14, 2025, 10:01 AM
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Is nurturing of dispassion an established practice in buddhism?
A while ago I noticed that dispassion (viraga) toward arising thoughts can give great peace. It wasn't really a artificial dispassion, rather, it came naturally after contemplation. Now I'm wondering if it makes sense to actively nurture such dispassion toward not just thoughts but also emotions - l...
A while ago I noticed that dispassion (viraga) toward arising thoughts can give great peace.
It wasn't really a artificial dispassion, rather, it came naturally after contemplation.
Now I'm wondering if it makes sense to actively nurture such dispassion toward not just thoughts but also emotions - like anxiety due to worries of personal outcome.
Is this something that actually exists in buddhism?
I only know of advice to just observe and be with emotion as they come and go, and never heard of the idea of having a certain view or stance or attitude toward emotion.
reign
(247 rep)
Jun 26, 2025, 04:08 PM
• Last activity: Jun 27, 2025, 07:12 PM
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Chant to remember not to have wrong thought, or to disidentify with wrong thinking
Is there such a chant, that deals with thinking in this manner? I have come to recognize that I can cease adding unskillful thinking, but right now, I feel like I need to remind myself that I have this conviction. Only through remembering, can I disidentify with unskillful thought patterns when they...
Is there such a chant, that deals with thinking in this manner?
I have come to recognize that I can cease adding unskillful thinking, but right now, I feel like I need to remind myself that I have this conviction. Only through remembering, can I disidentify with unskillful thought patterns when they arise, "this is not me".
So I was wondering if any such chant exists.
reign
(247 rep)
Jun 24, 2025, 07:36 PM
• Last activity: Jun 25, 2025, 08:01 AM
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Why does Buddhism seem to have an anti-thought bias?
Why do Buddhists seem to take such a strong anti-thought bias? All I could find regarding this issue is this blog post: [Thought is Bad? Enlightenment Means Not Thinking?][1] He provides great examples of this anti-thought bias, and has an attitude that is similar to my own towards it. This is somet...
Why do Buddhists seem to take such a strong anti-thought bias? All I could find regarding this issue is this blog post:
Thought is Bad? Enlightenment Means Not Thinking?
He provides great examples of this anti-thought bias, and has an attitude that is similar to my own towards it.
This is something that has disturbed me for a while, and is leading me away from Buddhism. Although direct/pure awareness allows freedom from compulsive thought, why should I not choose to conceptualize? Is there no place for abstraction nor ideas? What about language and cultivation of the intellect? Creativity?
Ethan Kershner
(39 rep)
Aug 19, 2017, 04:30 AM
• Last activity: Mar 5, 2025, 10:27 AM
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Is a thought of killing someone without actually killing him bad Karma?
Is the thought of killing someone without actually killing him bad Karma? How powerful is it? I think it is certainly bad karma. But I am willing to know the Buddhist explanation of it with more detail. What will happen, if a person forcefully resit those thoughts when thoughts are arriving?
Is the thought of killing someone without actually killing him bad Karma? How powerful is it?
I think it is certainly bad karma. But I am willing to know the Buddhist explanation of it with more detail. What will happen, if a person forcefully resit those thoughts when thoughts are arriving?
Galaxylokka
(3 rep)
May 19, 2024, 01:02 PM
• Last activity: May 30, 2024, 05:12 AM
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Do we have control of thoughts?
I watched a video of the Dalai Lama and he seemed to be saying that afflictive thoughts cause suffering and that people need to control their thoughts and cultivate wholesome ones etc. Outside of a retreat environment I can't see how it's possible. Everything is moving so fast. Hundreds of thoughts...
I watched a video of the Dalai Lama and he seemed to be saying that afflictive thoughts cause suffering and that people need to control their thoughts and cultivate wholesome ones etc. Outside of a retreat environment I can't see how it's possible. Everything is moving so fast. Hundreds of thoughts are just coming and going all the time. It's not even possible to be aware of them most of the time. I find myself suffering and have no clue about the thoughts that got me there. I mean they must have already happened and gone. It's not like I chose to think them. I'm not sure what I should do. Should I just try to cultivate more metta?
Also we are taught to not analyse the content of thoughts arising during meditation but to just note them and return to the breath. I'm wondering how I get to know what is wholesome and unwholesome if I don't analyse?
Sati
(718 rep)
Feb 2, 2024, 07:02 PM
• Last activity: Mar 25, 2024, 01:56 PM
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Source of Ajahn Chah quote
I'd like to read the context for the following quote from Ajahn Chah: > I want those who train with me to see the truth, not just read the > scriptures. I want them to see if their hearts have been completely > liberated from conceptual thinking. It's from a calendar (October 2016) put out by forest...
I'd like to read the context for the following quote from Ajahn Chah:
> I want those who train with me to see the truth, not just read the
> scriptures. I want them to see if their hearts have been completely
> liberated from conceptual thinking.
It's from a calendar (October 2016) put out by forestsangha.org.
Also, an explanation of the meaning of the statement would be very welcome.
stick-in-hand
(23 rep)
Feb 6, 2023, 06:23 PM
• Last activity: Feb 7, 2023, 03:47 PM
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How to stop thinking about metaphysical questions?
I have been practicing seriously for a month now. I'm mindful a lot of the time but not 100% yet and whenever I'm not I start thinking about metaphysical questions or what could be after death or if it is nothing etc. How can I stop this? Or how to stop thinking about something in general when you d...
I have been practicing seriously for a month now. I'm mindful a lot of the time but not 100% yet and whenever I'm not I start thinking about metaphysical questions or what could be after death or if it is nothing etc. How can I stop this? Or how to stop thinking about something in general when you don't want to? For some reason I can't be equanimous with metaphysical questions. They run through my head like there's no tomorrow and nothing more important than that. It's quite annoying. Would noting help?
buddhismcuriousity
(113 rep)
May 2, 2020, 09:24 PM
• Last activity: Oct 8, 2021, 11:46 AM
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How does one practice mindfulness during thinking? (for example, thinking about how to solve a problem)
This question is in context of practicing mindfulness in one's day-to-day activities (e.g. walking, talking, washing dishes etc.), where one is supposed to be "aware of" / "observe" / "be mindful of" these activities. But how does one be "mindful" during thinking, since the very act of "observing" t...
This question is in context of practicing mindfulness in one's day-to-day activities (e.g. walking, talking, washing dishes etc.), where one is supposed to be "aware of" / "observe" / "be mindful of" these activities.
But how does one be "mindful" during thinking, since the very act of "observing" thinking would interrupt the thought process? And, say, if the thought process is about solving a specific problem, the very act of "being aware of /observing" the thoughts would result in one being unable to effectively solve that problem - when compared to not observing/ not being mindful about those thoughts. Or, be unable to solve it all.
The same question for when reading something very interesting, or studying, where one is fully engrossed? Wouldn't being mindful about these activities interrupt the reading/study?
New to mindfulness here. Apologies if the question sounds foolish, or irrelevant due to my misunderstanding of mindfulness.
Thanks in advance.
Carlos
(21 rep)
Jun 27, 2021, 03:06 PM
• Last activity: Jun 28, 2021, 07:43 AM
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How do enlightened people think?
Most of our thoughts are caused by desire. So, what are the thoughts of a person who has no desire? Another way of asking the same question: if we remove desire based thoughts, what will remain? Edit: I'm asking this because I want to experience enlightenment. I know I am not enlightened, but If I a...
Most of our thoughts are caused by desire. So, what are the thoughts of a person who has no desire?
Another way of asking the same question: if we remove desire based thoughts, what will remain?
Edit: I'm asking this because I want to experience enlightenment. I know I am not enlightened, but If I am enlightened, how would my thoughts be? How would I feel it through awareness?
Dum
(725 rep)
Mar 11, 2020, 03:13 PM
• Last activity: Feb 13, 2021, 07:52 AM
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Buddhism and Stereotyping Perceptions
An answer has prodded me to completely reconsider my understanding of Buddhism and emptiness[ \[this answer\]][1]. I never realized that Buddhism involves the dismantling of preconceptions and false certainty. Due to some spiritual experiences, I feel it's clear that the path to a happier life for m...
An answer has prodded me to completely reconsider my understanding of Buddhism and emptiness[ \[this answer\]][1] . I never realized that Buddhism involves the dismantling of preconceptions and false certainty. Due to some spiritual experiences, I feel it's clear that the path to a happier life for me is changing this.
However, I know for a fact that I continuously generate such preconceptions and approximations almost pathologically. I feel that doubt greatly arises from this, in my mind; I keep making inexact and hasty conclusions, and assuming things. I cannot merely *not know.*
My question is: **What are the ways to dismantle such biases of mind? I specifically mean those of speculation, stereotyping, jumping to conclusions, and so on.**
Simply put, I'm wondering how one trains or comes to accept uncertainty.
user7302
May 27, 2018, 01:08 PM
• Last activity: Dec 5, 2019, 03:03 PM
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Sati-Sampajañña and a quiet mind
Is it the case that a quiet mind can best execute Sati-Sampajañña because there are no interfering thoughts disturbing it? If the answer is yes, should the main concern in day-to-day life be to tranquilize the mind, to think and keep wisdom in mind, or even both? Regards
Is it the case that a quiet mind can best execute Sati-Sampajañña because there are no interfering thoughts disturbing it?
If the answer is yes, should the main concern in day-to-day life be to tranquilize the mind, to think and keep wisdom in mind, or even both?
Regards
Val
(2560 rep)
Mar 18, 2019, 02:48 PM
• Last activity: Nov 30, 2019, 05:02 PM
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A Problem in Need of an Answer
Through many of Yuttadhammo's videos and accesstoinsight, I have learned a vast amount of knowledge on the Buddha's teachings. But I feel like I am causing myself problems. > 1) I keep on questioning everything I learn in the Dhamma & expanding > on my questions through my answers and so on, how can...
Through many of Yuttadhammo's videos and accesstoinsight, I have learned a vast amount of knowledge on the Buddha's teachings. But I feel like I am causing myself problems.
> 1) I keep on questioning everything I learn in the Dhamma & expanding
> on my questions through my answers and so on, how can I stop this from
> happening? How can I limit my questions or is there anything taught by
> the Buddha or in Yuttadhammo's tradition to help me?
>
> 2) As I have learned a lot (but definitely not all) from the Buddha's
> Dhamma, I keep on wanting to write down all that I learn but to keep
> it for myself on remembering the teaching, and I keep on writing long
> essays then rewriting and editing and adding and shrinking and adding
> and so on. I continue to do so and I feel like this is a problem, how
> can I cope with only knowing the teaching in my head than writing it
> all I learn down or is this not really a problem?
Please help! Metta
user16793
Nov 13, 2019, 04:53 AM
• Last activity: Nov 13, 2019, 02:50 PM
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I explain why I prefer discuss Buddhism intellectually but others don't seem to accept my point. Why is that?
In this Reddit post [Is Buddhism about cognitive linguistics and cognitive psychology?](https://www.reddit.com/r/Buddhism/comments/arl4jl/is_buddhism_about_cognitive_linguistics_and/egnx005/?context=3&st=js95qe3c&sh=48e53d8a), I am advised that practice is far more important than intellectualizing....
In this Reddit post [Is Buddhism about cognitive linguistics and cognitive psychology?](https://www.reddit.com/r/Buddhism/comments/arl4jl/is_buddhism_about_cognitive_linguistics_and/egnx005/?context=3&st=js95qe3c&sh=48e53d8a) , I am advised that practice is far more important than intellectualizing. I understand that the core teaching of Buddhism is to stop clinging on dharma, and I would miss the main point of it if I don't practice it, but I'm not sure if intellect is less important than it. Sure, after you get to the opposite shore, you want to left your raft behind, but when you are still paddling in the middle of the river, you should take care of it.
But after I explain my point, it seems that it goes into one ear and out another. Why is that? Is it actually bad to use intellect? Telling me to not using intellect sounds like asking me to think about the shore when the job is to paddle. I just want to find a way to paddle more efficiently.
I am reading Nagarjuna's *Middle Way* if that matters.
Related: • [intellectualism or anti-intellectualism and Buddhism](https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/q/23639/13525) • [How to ask other Buddhists doing analysis, rather than advising me to stop analyzing?](https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/q/31193/13525) • [Why does Buddhism seem to have an anti-thought bias?](https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/q/22195/13525)
Related: • [intellectualism or anti-intellectualism and Buddhism](https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/q/23639/13525) • [How to ask other Buddhists doing analysis, rather than advising me to stop analyzing?](https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/q/31193/13525) • [Why does Buddhism seem to have an anti-thought bias?](https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/q/22195/13525)
Ooker
(635 rep)
Feb 17, 2019, 05:38 PM
• Last activity: Nov 8, 2019, 02:04 PM
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Metaphysical Contemplation and Speculation
There are many parables and stories from the Buddha's life suggesting he valued above all what is practical and conducive to virtue. He discouraged metaphysical speculation and musings. **Given without knowledge one can only speculate, does Buddhism suggest one should *delay* certain questions until...
There are many parables and stories from the Buddha's life suggesting he valued above all what is practical and conducive to virtue. He discouraged metaphysical speculation and musings.
**Given without knowledge one can only speculate, does Buddhism suggest one should *delay* certain questions until one can empirically get a definite answer?**
For example, the jhanas are not immediately accessible, and thinking about them might lead to speculation. **What is speculation in Buddhism? Should one always restrict their attention and cognition to what is immediately accessible?**
I guess I could also add: ***How* does one know when one is speculating?**
user7302
Jul 23, 2019, 02:51 PM
• Last activity: Jul 24, 2019, 12:55 AM
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Mindfulness when playing chess
I want to start with this Buddha quote from the Dhammapada > As rain breaks through an ill-thatched house, passion will break > through an unreflecting mind. [Ch. 1: The Twin Verses, verse 13][1] Last night I was playing chess with a close friend and he beat me 4 times consecutively .The first time...
I want to start with this Buddha quote from the Dhammapada
> As rain breaks through an ill-thatched house, passion will break
> through an unreflecting mind.
Ch. 1: The Twin Verses, verse 13
Last night I was playing chess with a close friend and he beat me 4 times consecutively .The first time I almost beat him but my performance worsened linearly .The last time my performance was the worst.
Aside from realizing that each time I lost the more I wanted to beat him ,I realized that while playing I was constantly **thinking** about the possible moves and wasn't mindful or aware during the game.Its almost like I was constantly surprised by unanticipated moves
Its **during** the game that the feeling of defeat struck me and during this I was thinking about the plan .
How can watching and strategic thinking occur,if when I watch there is no thinking?.
A fellow here stated that thinking and watching are antagonistic .I think this has some truth as when I watch the thread of thoughts subsides.
I think this leads to a more general question and that in any sport or activity that requires a certain skill .How can mindfulness be incorporated during that activity?.
I know there are already related questions but,there doesn't seem to be a clear cut answer.
Omar Boshra
(507 rep)
Apr 26, 2019, 04:25 PM
• Last activity: Apr 27, 2019, 08:52 PM
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What is the difference between right thinking and right view?
They seem to be both elements that promote a healthy perception about things in life. I have a hard time differentiating between one and the other.
They seem to be both elements that promote a healthy perception about things in life. I have a hard time differentiating between one and the other.
Bar Akiva
(171 rep)
Jun 4, 2017, 07:52 AM
• Last activity: Jan 22, 2019, 10:58 AM
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What is the difference between mindfulness and detachment?
From [Mindfulness](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindfulness): >Mindfulness is the psychological process of bringing one's attention to experiences occurring in the present moment, which one can develop through the practice of meditation and through other training. Followers of Buddhist teachings ut...
From [Mindfulness](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindfulness) :
>Mindfulness is the psychological process of bringing one's attention to experiences occurring in the present moment, which one can develop through the practice of meditation and through other training. Followers of Buddhist teachings utilize mindfulness to develop self-knowledge and wisdom that gradually lead to what is described as enlightenment or the complete freedom from suffering.
From [Detachment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detachment_(philosophy)) :
>Detachment, also expressed as non-attachment, is a state in which a person overcomes his or her attachment to desire for things, people or concepts of the world and thus attains a heightened perspective. It is considered a wise virtue and is promoted in various Eastern religions, such as Taoism and Buddhism.
I see that the two terms are very related, but I'd like to understand more about the differences and the interactions between the two. As in my understanding, the answer to the question https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/q/12905/13525 is that as long as one is detached to the past and the future, one can mindfully examine them. Is that correct?
Ooker
(635 rep)
Sep 15, 2018, 04:03 PM
• Last activity: Sep 16, 2018, 11:37 AM
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Does Ichinen Sanzen include "wishful thinking"?
Does Ichinen Sanzen include "wishful thinking," or am i getting it wrong? Also, does Theravada buddhism include "wishful thinking?" This is the text I read that made me have this question: http://www.sokahumanism.com/nichiren-buddhism/Practical_Meaning_of_Ichinen_Sanzen.html
Does Ichinen Sanzen include "wishful thinking," or am i getting it wrong?
Also, does Theravada buddhism include "wishful thinking?"
This is the text I read that made me have this question:
http://www.sokahumanism.com/nichiren-buddhism/Practical_Meaning_of_Ichinen_Sanzen.html
breath
(1454 rep)
Jan 24, 2017, 12:16 PM
• Last activity: Jan 29, 2017, 10:08 PM
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