To my understanding, the 8 factors are of course something that require cultivation (practise/training). However, noble right view, for example, is an experiential part, and not an intellectual one. >And what is right view? Knowledge with regard to stress, knowledge with regard to the origination of stress, knowledge with regard to the cessation of stress, knowledge with regard to the way of practice leading to the cessation of stress: This is called right view." When exactly is this seen? At stream entry level? Furthermore, Right Intention and Right Effort both require one to abandon anger and desire. While anger can be let go much easier, most lay people cling to the five senses (which among them includes the desire for sex). So there again I see no applicability for lay practitioners. "Right Speech" is a difficult one, because if we take the arya vacca then we basically only speak about the dhamma, particularly the cessation of dukkha. Right Samadhi is also unlikely for lay because it is basically Jhana, and Jhana itself requires a lot of letting go of attachments and absolute no sensuality in the mind. So what is your response to this?

- Cetana (Intention) is a universal mental factor which can be seen in every consciousness even in Arahants'. - Kamma is the intention in one's consciousness. I have thought about the below statements based on the above mentioned two factors. But couldn't come to a conclusion. My questions are, 1. "An Arahant accumulates kamma in his/her life and has kammic fruit for that kamma in the same life." Is this statement true? 2. "An Arahant accumulates kamma in his/her life but has no kammic fruit for that kamma." Is this statement true? 3. "Intention (The mental factor, Cetana) is not kamma in Arahants' consciousness" Is this statement true?

In the Wikipedia article [Buddhist Logic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_logic) , it is mentioned that Buddhist Logic is different from classical western logic. > ‘Indian Logic’ should be understood as being a different system of logic than modern classical logic (e.g. modern predicate calculus), but as anumāna-theory, a system in its own right. ‘Indian Logic’ was influenced by the study of grammar, whereas Classical Logic which principally informed modern Western Logic was influenced by the study of mathematics. How does Buddhist logic work then? And how is it used in the exegesis of Buddhist scriptures?

If memory serves correctly, the historical Buddha did mention contemplating/investigating energy (viriya). Also remember mention of energy leading to the cessation of dukka. But does the Buddha, or other Buddhist teachings, ever expound upon energy in-depth, specifically techniques on how to raise/rouse energy — perhaps with the same level of detail the Abhidhamma does with the 121 types of consciousness — other than by intention? (as in: “What is virya? It is the mind intent on being ever active, devoted, unshaken, not turning back and being indefatigable. It perfects and realizes what is conducive to the positive.” via: The Abhidharma-samuccaya from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vīrya )

At which stage of enlightenment (or of meditation) will Dependent Origination break? In my meditation practice, now there are no clinging to the thoughts and no self view. Can notice once it appears. At this stage, is dependent origination still functioning?

According to dependent origination I took birth (i.e I came into existence) due to ignorance. My questions are :how many times it has happened that someone has taken birth into this samsara? Since when birth of ignorance has been happening? If there are no answers in the scriptures to the above questions then what is your personal opinion on the issues mentioned above?

I live in Sri Lanka and many good Buddhist ceremonies take place all year long. And more often than not in almost all of these major functions something extraordinary happens that leave the whole country speechless. These events take place not once or twice but annually as these big functions happen every year. None of these events happen in broad daylight and no one has been able to explain how they occur and that includes all the well renowned Professors and other science related organizations and universities. These events have broken the once accepted idea that they are some kind of weather or other anomaly as they have happened annually in perfectly equal circumstances that includes a major Buddhist event,a whopping number of pilgrims,a very pleasant environment & etc.The Somawathi Stupa is a fine example.... The best part is none of these events took place when this place is vacant, all of this happened when it was full of Buddhists and everyone there (at least few thousand people every time) witness the events. --- Here is one event on video in broad daylight... **Rays of lights on Somawathi Stupa** Images of the event taken in few different days and angles... --- A 3D Hologram like image of Lord Buddha appeared in front of this stupa recently... --- According to this description on the banner this is supposedly a image of a group of Devas visiting the Stupa... --- As there has been no proper explanation to these events what so ever people have came to the conclusion that this is the power of Lord Buddha, There is another idea. Some think it's the Devas trying to encourage the people to do good more. --- **Is there any explanation that you can find?** **Has such events happened in recent history in any other Buddhist countries,monasteries or events?**

The Nanda sutta seems contrary to what the Buddha teaches with regard to sensual desire. Therefore, I don't understand how this was a wise approach in the case of Nanda even though Nanda acquired arahantship afterwards. Perhaps I'm missing something obvious (it's still morning here!) but how did the Buddha's promise become a catalyst for Nanda's ultimate realization?

My relatives ask me to suggest good names that must be Buddhist. I tried on internet but there are from other culture I want Indian names so what names or meaning should be?

My girlfriend is from a Thai / Chinese familly. They are buddist and they follow the Guan Yin precepts. I know they can't eat beef, but this is not the only meat they refuses to eat. They basicly eat only chicken and pork. However her mother tried to eat some sheep meat just by curiosity. I would like to know what kind of meat are you allowed to eat when you follow the Guan Yin precepts and which one are strictly prohibited.

Per the teachings of the Anapanasati Sutta, should one literally think about what they are doing, or focus on the breath itself? Meaning, should I think "I am breathing in long," or should I focus on the action of my breath being long?

What are some of the similarities between Taoism and Buddhism? Can one achieve the Tao through Buddhism and vice versa, can one achieve nirvana through Taoism?

Does Buddhist samatha meditation allow for physical meditation objects other than the breath? I have noticed I feel much more contentment with the physical sensation of "back straight". Please give examples or references. Ayya Khema writes (Know Where You're Going) : > In the beginning we need the necessary meditation practice, the methods that will be our key to open the door, but within them we must find something that is of particular help to us. That element can be physical or mental, concerned with **posture** or with thoughts. > Upasika Kee writes (Pure and Simple): > Sit straight and place your hands one on top of the other on your lap. Hold your head up straight and keep your **back straight**—as if you had a yardstick running along your spine.

I have a dog that i love very much.I don't feel like his a dog.I have a lot of respect for him.And treat him like an old friend.As he is old now.I heard somewhere that animals who hear the Dharma can be reborn as a human??I don't know if that's true or which sutta it's in.But I have formed a habit of either reading the sutta to him,chanting in Pali,or sometimes just talking to him about the Four Noble Truths.As that's the one thing i want to remember when i die.I know it seems too silly but i just feel like somewhere inside he can understand me.He has a very serene and calm demeanor too.I hope that there is a sutta about animals hearing The Dhamma having a better rebirth,because this dog has qualities that even i as a human being lack.I hope that there is some way to share the greatest gift(The Dhamma) to our animal friends. **Is it true is there a way to benefit animals by helping them come into contact with the Dhamma? Such as teaching them the Dhamma?**

What is the opinion of Nichiren Buddhism on the concept of a Creator or Supreme Being?

What is the relation of sukhāvatī to 蓮華藏莊嚴世界海 ("the lotus's vault, the perfected lokadhātu, the ocean") attested to in the Buddhāvataṃsakanāmamahāyānasūtra T279 & Āryasaddharmapuṇḍarīkanāmamahāyānasūtra T262, wherein arahantaḥ, according to the Mahāyāna as attested to in aforementioned scriptures, perfect Buddhahood? Context: > Inquiry: in the Arhat's past lives the causes and conditions for being > subject to embodiment necessarily ought to have been eradicated, in > light of this they dwell where to perfect buddhahood? > > Response: when attaining arhatship, the three realms' myriad outflows' > causes and conditions are exhausted, there is no more birth again in > the three realms. There is a pure buddha land, beyond the three > realms, where not even the word affliction has a name, in this kingdom > of the Buddha, they hear the Dharma Flower Sūtra [i.e. the Lotus > Sūtra], with this they perfect Buddhahood. As in the Dharma Flower > Sūtra's words: "There are arhantaḥ, for example, who’ve not heard the > Dharma Flower Sūtra,themselves they call 'ones who have attained > cessation'; I in another realm for them speak this matter, that you > all shall become samyaksaṁbuddhāḥ." > > (Mahāprajñāpāramitopadeśaḥ T1509.714a9) Furthermore, these pure lands, what relation do they have to ākaniṣṭaghanavyūha?

I have read a decent amount on modern meditative practices, but I am curious to read the way in which ancient monks described their techniques. This is not suggesting that modern meditative practices differ from their originators, as I wouldn't know if they do. I am simply curious about the ancient texts as one would be to read an ancient cookbook.

Would it be helpful, wholesome, skillful and wise to investigate the root condition of (each of) the three poisons/unwholesome roots of greed, ill-will and delusion (raga, dosa, moha)? [Why these three and not some random qualities like baseball, terpenes and a Farm Aid concert?] And why do vast amounts of beings seem to tend more towards lust, ill-will and ignorance instead of wisdom, wholesomeness and skillfulness? Why is our true nature still mostly obscured?

From what I understand the aggregates aren't self but now when a person dies and the material aggregates of his body dissolve then what remains who gets reincarnated ?.If there is no soul then what carries the **information** of this person to go to another life for example what defines that this is the person and not someone else do we have a serial number :) ?. When the new material aggregates of the new body are born then they are different from the ones of the person who died .What defines that **THIS** person is in **THAT** body?.

We all now that habits which are not acted upon wither with time. However, is it possible to reduce cravings to a point where the specific cravings are close to non-existent? How does one go about to achieve this? Let's take sexual desire or sensual desire as an example: If I don't engage in sexual activities then craving will probably reduce in intensity and frequency, but I doubt that external objects have no control in how I process them. If I see an attractive woman or tasty food isn't it inevitable that I at times will feel strong craving?