Buddhism
Q&A for people practicing or interested in Buddhist philosophy, teaching, and practice
Latest Questions
7
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I feel uncomfortable about jury duty
I have been asked to do jury duty. As I follow a Buddhist philosophy of Ahimsa, no-harm, I feel conflicted. If I vote guilty, and the defendant is not, I would feel guilty myself. If he/she is guilty, and I vote to acquit, likewise I would feel guilty. So I will be asked to be excused on religious g...
I have been asked to do jury duty. As I follow a Buddhist philosophy of Ahimsa, no-harm, I feel conflicted. If I vote guilty, and the defendant is not, I would feel guilty myself. If he/she is guilty, and I vote to acquit, likewise I would feel guilty. So I will be asked to be excused on religious grounds. Is this a valid reason for me to be excused?
Thank you,
Thomas Ramsay.
Tom Ramsay
(73 rep)
Jun 26, 2019, 11:01 PM
• Last activity: Oct 16, 2019, 09:21 PM
3
votes
1
answers
121
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How to evaluate hindrances?
As a meditator, are there categories of hindrances which may occur during meditation practice? If yes, can you please elaborate it.
As a meditator, are there categories of hindrances which may occur during meditation practice? If yes, can you please elaborate it.
Pritam
(103 rep)
Oct 6, 2019, 09:09 AM
• Last activity: Oct 16, 2019, 04:22 PM
8
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6
answers
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Boundaries and Buddhism
Further to [this question](https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/q/33618/254) Do Buddhists adhere to the Western concept of “Boundaries” to protect oneself? Or is the creation of boundaries an obstacle to enlightenment because of its avoidance of future suffering? Are we called to give of ourselves wit...
Further to [this question](https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/q/33618/254) Do Buddhists adhere to the Western concept of “Boundaries” to protect oneself? Or is the creation of boundaries an obstacle to enlightenment because of its avoidance of future suffering? Are we called to give of ourselves without bounds, even to those without gratitude for our service? How does this apply to emotional, financial, and service to others with our time?
Sarah
(165 rep)
Jun 15, 2019, 02:12 PM
• Last activity: Oct 16, 2019, 07:31 AM
7
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12
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Should one call oneself a Buddhist?
When people ask me about my religion, it always gets me thinking as how I should announce to another person that I practice Buddhism, should tell that I am: 1. A Buddhist 2. Follower of the Buddha 3. Practicing Buddhism Or an alternative to these?
When people ask me about my religion, it always gets me thinking as how I should announce to another person that I practice Buddhism, should tell that I am:
1. A Buddhist
2. Follower of the Buddha
3. Practicing Buddhism
Or an alternative to these?
Jordy van Ekelen
(1929 rep)
Sep 13, 2014, 05:54 PM
• Last activity: Oct 16, 2019, 03:41 AM
2
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1
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I'm fascinated by 'death': what would Dogen say?
I'm fascinated by 'death': what would Dogen say? What about Rinzai zen? I don't have any questions about it, but I'm sure there's answers I haven't contemplated at all. Quotes would be necessary.
I'm fascinated by 'death': what would Dogen say? What about Rinzai zen?
I don't have any questions about it, but I'm sure there's answers I haven't contemplated at all.
Quotes would be necessary.
user2512
Aug 22, 2019, 07:29 PM
• Last activity: Oct 15, 2019, 11:08 PM
1
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1
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How did Arya Nagarjuna reached the direct perception of Emptiness?
our Sangha is trying to find through a lot of ancient books about the story of Arya Nagarjuna reaching a level of direct perception of Emptiness, and we couldn't find anything in the scriptures yet. If someone has information on a following topics with quotes, please let us know. Thank you. EDIT: Wh...
our Sangha is trying to find through a lot of ancient books about the story of Arya Nagarjuna reaching a level of direct perception of Emptiness, and we couldn't find anything in the scriptures yet.
If someone has information on a following topics with quotes, please let us know.
Thank you.
EDIT: What I meant is that he reached an Arya level, and we are looking for details about his direct perception of Emptiness.
Conscious Hacker
(19 rep)
Jun 1, 2019, 05:08 PM
• Last activity: Oct 15, 2019, 07:24 PM
3
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5
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Is Uposatha on full moons or specific days?
I want to start observing Uposatha, but I'm a little unclear on what days it is. I'm finding calendars that it is the days of full moons in Sri Lanka or other countries. Should it just be celebrated on full moons then? For example, I'm in the Midwest of the USA, the full moon in September is Septemb...
I want to start observing Uposatha, but I'm a little unclear on what days it is. I'm finding calendars that it is the days of full moons in Sri Lanka or other countries. Should it just be celebrated on full moons then? For example, I'm in the Midwest of the USA, the full moon in September is September 6 but I'm seeing Uposatha to be August 5 on calendars. Which dates should I observe on? Also, am I correct that the eight precepts to be practiced on Uposatha are:
1. Do not take life
2. Celibacy
3. Do not speak false, no lies
4. Do not steal
5. Do not use any intoxicants
6. Only eat one meal between dawn and noon (does this need to be vegetarian to fit in with the first precept?)
7. Do not use a luxurious bed that night, so sleep on a sleeping mat on the ground
Are these correct?
TheStrangeQuark
(171 rep)
Jul 11, 2017, 09:48 AM
• Last activity: Oct 15, 2019, 06:58 AM
4
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5
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Should Buddhists drive a car or a motorcycle?
Buddhist first precept is abstain from killing animals. Could this also imply that driving a car is unwholesome and not good for a practitioner. --- Would not one agree that by choosing to walk is considered kinder as it would have less chance of accidentally killing animals than driving or riding?...
Buddhist first precept is abstain from killing animals.
Could this also imply that driving a car is unwholesome and not good for a practitioner.
---
Would not one agree that by choosing to walk is considered kinder as it would have less chance of accidentally killing animals than driving or riding? The same could go that riding is kinder than driving. By taking these kindfull approaches, one would commit less killing and right intention, which would bring better meditation. Please be careful here, I do not imply that driving is wrong, but it can reduce peace in our mind.
suppachai laobundiy
(81 rep)
Feb 16, 2018, 02:47 AM
• Last activity: Oct 15, 2019, 03:19 AM
5
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3
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How should Buddhists receive generosity?
There is a lot of advice about dana and the importance of generosity and giving but is there any advice on how to receive generosity? From a western perspective it can be quite awkward to receive gifts or charity so I wondered if there is any specific Buddhist advice on how should this be done - bot...
There is a lot of advice about dana and the importance of generosity and giving but is there any advice on how to receive generosity? From a western perspective it can be quite awkward to receive gifts or charity so I wondered if there is any specific Buddhist advice on how should this be done - both the actions and the appropriate mental state.
The motivation for this is this you tube video where Yuttadhammo is receiving alms. I found it very striking the manner in which they are received - without any thank you or speech. This could be a cultural phenomena within Sri-Lanka or how alms are received generally - I'm not sure. However it makes me wonder in what spirit generosity should be received from a Buddhist perspective generally.
Crab Bucket
(21199 rep)
Mar 16, 2015, 07:03 PM
• Last activity: Oct 15, 2019, 03:17 AM
11
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5
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13100
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How to bless someone?
How to bless someone with special words in Buddhism ? My friends ask me for keep them in my pray but we don't believe in praying. So what should my answer to them ?
How to bless someone with special words in Buddhism ?
My friends ask me for keep them in my pray but we don't believe in praying.
So what should my answer to them ?
Swapnil
(2164 rep)
Mar 29, 2016, 06:32 PM
• Last activity: Oct 14, 2019, 11:34 PM
12
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4
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What is the proper understanding of "taking refuge" in Buddhism?
Many years ago, a Zen Roshi said in a class that "nobody else is your boss except for you. Only you can make the decision and apply yourself to practice, nobody else can." So, I've heard this many times from various Buddhist traditions. However, Buddhism also has this idea of "taking refuge" in vari...
Many years ago, a Zen Roshi said in a class that "nobody else is your boss except for you. Only you can make the decision and apply yourself to practice, nobody else can." So, I've heard this many times from various Buddhist traditions. However, Buddhism also has this idea of "taking refuge" in various things. If you are responsible for yourself what is the point of "taking refuge?" What is the proper understanding of "taking refuge" in Buddhism?
DharmaEater
(2199 rep)
Jul 8, 2014, 12:00 AM
• Last activity: Oct 14, 2019, 11:31 PM
5
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5
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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
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6
answers
450
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To debate or not to debate? and When to debate? and How to debate?
When we have several people with different understanding of Buddhism, how should we decide who is right? Debate is very tempting in Buddhism, but on the other hand, we must respect other people's views and not create conflicts in the Sangha, so what should we do? Sometimes Buddhists cannot agree wit...
When we have several people with different understanding of Buddhism, how should we decide who is right? Debate is very tempting in Buddhism, but on the other hand, we must respect other people's views and not create conflicts in the Sangha, so what should we do?
Sometimes Buddhists cannot agree with each other, especially if these Buddhists come from different schools or traditions. An idea that is considered correct in one linage may be considered wrong in another.
Did the Buddha teach how to handle these situations? How were these disagreements handled in the past?
(See also: [famous debates in canonical Buddhist texts](https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/questions/8182/what-are-the-famous-debates-in-canonical-buddhist-texts))
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS by @Yeshe Tenley:
Under what conditions is it proper? Under what conditions is it improper? Is it a bad thing? Can it be a good thing? What is the proper motivation to do so? What are improper motivations? What is skillful? What is unskillful?
Assuming it is desirable to show respect while debating, how should this respect be manifested? What are examples of disrespectful debate and how can the line be drawn? What's the difference between debate and proselytizing?
... and references to dharma teachings, historical events, or opinions/literature of noted teachers also welcome and encouraged!
konrad01
(9895 rep)
Aug 12, 2014, 11:54 AM
• Last activity: Oct 14, 2019, 11:28 PM
3
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4
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Would Siddhartha Gautama have agreed with modern forms of Buddhism?
Siddhartha Gautama accepted as its close disciples some secular. They had the same chance to gain enlightenment, without practicing rituals, and without believing in everything he said or did. Looking at the big picture can show that Siddhartha's truth doesn't hide behind idealism or practicing spec...
Siddhartha Gautama accepted as its close disciples some secular.
They had the same chance to gain enlightenment, without practicing rituals, and without believing in everything he said or did.
Looking at the big picture can show that Siddhartha's truth doesn't hide behind idealism or practicing specific rituals. By it's nature it is everywhere, and it's findable in everything.
The Truth could be in any ritual or practice.
**So isn't it out of context to create massive religious groups like we can see in modern Buddhism ?**
**Isn't it against the nature itself of the truth, to mass share a specific view of it ?**
dh4rm4
(31 rep)
Nov 17, 2017, 02:44 PM
• Last activity: Oct 14, 2019, 11:26 PM
3
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3
answers
231
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How to be mindful while doing routine activites like walking on a street known for years?
I started observing nature as I walked by the street which I take daily to get out of colony. Problem is that I have already observed it throughly. There isn't anything that I haven't observed. Brain gets in auto pilot mode in such situations. I tried to keep my attention on my shoes and thus counti...
I started observing nature as I walked by the street which I take daily to get out of colony.
Problem is that I have already observed it throughly. There isn't anything that I haven't observed. Brain gets in auto pilot mode in such situations.
I tried to keep my attention on my shoes and thus counting my steps. This has a danger of me getting hit by something because I was looking down.
***Where am I supposed to look and what am I supposed to think while doing mundane routine activities like sitting in an auto and moving on an already known default path? There is no stimulus for brain to do anything new.***
I still have to be on my guards though. I don't want to reach in dreamland where I am totally unaware of what's happening around me.
I tried to focus on "Waiting for my thoughts to appear so that I can acknowledge them". This reduced anxiety and made me happy *but this way I had forgotten that I was walking since the brain was on auto-pilot mode*.
Aquarius_Girl
(187 rep)
Nov 29, 2017, 04:26 AM
• Last activity: Oct 14, 2019, 11:22 PM
3
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6
answers
169
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What additional ethics you find in Buddhism which are not found in other religions?
What additional ethics you find in Buddhism which are not found in other religions? Other religions mean Abrahamic religions, Hinduism, Taoism or any other religion you know. I also like to know whether other religions have any ethics you do not find in Buddhism. To start with concentrate on five, e...
What additional ethics you find in Buddhism which are not found in other religions?
Other religions mean Abrahamic religions, Hinduism, Taoism or any other religion you know.
I also like to know whether other religions have any ethics you do not find in Buddhism.
To start with concentrate on five, eight precepts compare them to other religions.
SarathW
(5685 rep)
May 13, 2019, 09:00 PM
• Last activity: Oct 14, 2019, 11:19 PM
0
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1
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57
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Authenticity of rules for monks and nuns
Is there any way we can know that all these rules are from the Buddha and not made up after him, based on cultural and/or persons agendas?
Is there any way we can know that all these rules are from the Buddha and not made up after him, based on cultural and/or persons agendas?
m2015
(1344 rep)
Oct 26, 2017, 10:47 AM
• Last activity: Oct 14, 2019, 11:17 PM
0
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1
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What is reincarnated?
What is reincarnated? Does reincarnation occur in the realm of conventional reality? Well I had to put in some superfluous words because the website wouldn't accept just a simple question.
What is reincarnated? Does reincarnation occur in the realm of conventional reality?
Well I had to put in some superfluous words because the website wouldn't accept just a simple question.
i aM
(1 rep)
Oct 14, 2019, 02:15 PM
• Last activity: Oct 14, 2019, 08:35 PM
1
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2
answers
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Sanghas of those who practice like monks but aren't officially monks?
Are there Sanghas(in the more broad meaning of the word) of those who practice like monks but aren't officially monks and have not been ordained as monks by monks? If they could call themselves "Bunks" or something besides "monks", would this be problematic? Are there any scriptures related to this?
Are there Sanghas(in the more broad meaning of the word) of those who practice like monks but aren't officially monks and have not been ordained as monks by monks? If they could call themselves "Bunks" or something besides "monks", would this be problematic? Are there any scriptures related to this?
Lowbrow
(7468 rep)
Oct 13, 2019, 03:55 AM
• Last activity: Oct 14, 2019, 05:10 PM
3
votes
5
answers
1119
views
Theravada Monks and meat in daily meals
Can I assume that Theravada monks are to eat any kinds of food given to them during alms round? What if they are given food with seafood or any meat? Is it considered breaking the 1st precept? Cos in order to have the seafood, somebody has to do the dirty job of catching them then make them dishes,...
Can I assume that Theravada monks are to eat any kinds of food given to them during alms round?
What if they are given food with seafood or any meat? Is it considered breaking the 1st precept? Cos in order to have the seafood, somebody has to do the dirty job of catching them then make them dishes, same applies to meat.
Sunset_Limited
(539 rep)
Mar 30, 2015, 01:00 PM
• Last activity: Oct 14, 2019, 04:42 PM
Showing page 194 of 20 total questions