I see two Pali words which are translated into English as "intention": - [Cetanā](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cetan%C4%81) used in the definition of karma - [Sankappa](http://www.vipassana.com/resources/8fp3.php) used in the definition of the Noble Eightfold Way. Do these two words mean exactly the same thing? If not, what is the difference?

I have come across this phrase while studying Zen, in a Zen meditation center. It is Dogen's translation of Nirvan Sutra. That all beings by nature are Buddha. As I understand, we become Buddha when be are enlightened. We have to strive through Right Effort to become Buddha, isn't it? What does this phrase mean to you?

**Samadhi Sutta** (Concentration) [Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.] **“Develop concentration, monks. A concentrated monk discerns things as they actually are present...** Is this an accurate translation of this part of the sutta? Isn't seeing things as they are mindfulness territory or mindfulness and concentration territory? My understanding is that a strongly concentrated monk usually focuses on concepts not actual reality. When one concentrates on reality as it is(reality without concepts) then it's difficult to get strong concentration but when one concentrates on a concept that doesn't move around and is more stable than actual impermanent reality then the concentrated monk can reach those great blissful jhana states. **Only meditation of reality will lead one to the understanding of reality or panna.** I don't know but it kinda sounds like this translation is implying that concentration always shows one reality as it actually is but usually, concentration meditation involves one pointed attention on one concept not reality as it is. The kind of concentration that is usually used for "seeing things as they are" is khanika samadhi or momentary concentration. This kind of concentration is used in Satipathana Vipassana meditation. It's like one pointed concentration only when a distraction comes, the distraction becomes the new focus until the distraction falls then it's back to the original focus that is often the sensation breath as it happens, moment by moment.

In the temple where I am going to ordain, they often sit on their heals with toes bent forward (which I am working on) and they also sit with their legs to the side in what they call "mermaid style" which is very difficult for me. I am looking for suggestions on stretches and exercises to help me. I am 60 so these old bones and ligaments are telling me that they don't like these positions...they are very stubborn !!!

During sleeping I experience strong food urges.. luckily I am most of the time aware of these acts but I still usually eat something but less (which is an accomplishment). It happened today again and before eating I rehearsed internally "I am the owner of my actions,heir to my actions..." which switched my focus more to a long term perspective because I knew that I would perpetuate a craving so I better tolerate the pain now then to go the old pathway which would maintain the kamma.. Now any recommendations what I could do? I think I have to meditate more on the disadvantages / short nature of food and even on the kamma thing (which is important anyways to keep in mind). Suggestions?

I just finished reading Ajahn Brahm's book on Buddhist Meditation called *Mindfulness, bliss and beyond*. According to him, as per the Buddhist sutras, advancing in meditation you enter into jhanas, which has a component of bliss in it; this was fine. Then you enter immaterial realms, where he says even consciousness is impermanent. Even consciousness is a conditioned phenomena. And you enter realm of neither perception nor non-perception. After this you attain nibbana, blowing out, end of all. I have long held belief that you are consciousness, the witnessing. Hindus define ultimate attainment as truth, consciousness and bliss. So if even consciousness is not to be there -- and it's just literally nothing -- doesn't it just seem pointless? Your very attainment is pointless. Is it not better to roam this samsara doing good karma and enjoying the benefits? That way you at least live forever through rebirths. From this perspective, doesn't Buddha's teaching look Nilistic?

I've been reading books written by, or associated with Alan Wallace, that describe a period of time that is new to me - Ghatika (24 minute period). > A session of twenty-four minutes is a good starting interval; for most people, it is neither too short nor too long ... and this is the session duration that the eighth-century Indian Buddhist contemplative Kamalashila recommended for begining meditators. *(Minding Closely: The Four Applications of Mindfulness By B. Alan Wallace p.33)* Wallace goes on to claim that in the Vajrayana tradition a Ghatika is also considered an ideal meditation time because it is the time it takes for the subtle energies to do a full body circuit. Longer duration sits will of course be multiples of a Ghatika. Some poking around on the internet reveals it is a Vedic measure of time - Vedic calculations of time and creation and was measured using a Ghatika Yantra, an ancient Indian water clock . I can find no reference to meditation apart from Alan Wallace references. Can anyone else perhaps shed more light on this?

Namaste. My question is *Why the nature of things is such as it is?* I think that the question cannot be answered, because it points outside the grasp of our mind, but I am interested in possible deep evidences pro or contra. Thanks.

This is something a friend brought to my attention, something that he noticed in himself. He said he didn't start feeling guilt unless he was afraid of something. Is fear the cause of guilt? If not, are they at least connected?

Once I asked a wise man "Why should I be happy?" He said "Because there are people more miserable than you. Thank God that at least you are better than them." There are couple of depressed kids living in my neighborhood(people call them mad). Sometimes I feel happy that at least I am not depressed or mad. I use their depression as a reason for my happiness. My question is (from the Buddhist point of view): Should my happiness be dependent upon the suffering of others? In other words should my happiness be dependent upon my ability to find an example of new low in the human suffering?

Hindupedia states, on its page about the [Sanātan Dharma principle](http://hindupedia.com/en/San%C4%81tan_Dharma_principle#Buddhism) , that: > Although Buddha usually spoke of the Sanātan Dharma, he sometimes used other synonymous terms for "Sanātan Dharma," such as "Akaliko Dharma," and "Poranako Dharma." Can I know the all the verse numbers of scriptures, where Buddha mentioned "Sanātan Dharma" "Akaliko Dharma" and "Poranako Dharma." ?

Are Buddhists hypnotists? I'm being a little facetious, but not entirely. Hypnotism is a strange mental phenomena, and I wondered how much interaction, in any tradition, is based in similar mental phenomena, to hypnotism. I have no theory, about how that might involve rebirth, or the annulment of annihilationism (which I cling to a little).

The feeling that one is constantly one step away from enlightenment: does it have a Buddhist term for it? Pejorative or otherwise. So I've heard of beginner's mind, but I doubt it covers it.

In the Mangala Sutta, the Buddha says that one of the highest blessing is to support one's parents. Was this just meant for the lay people? Because elsewhere, he praises solitude and being alone in the forest to achieve salvation for oneself and others. If as a lay person due to job and other factors we are not able to be present physically to support one's parents, does this go against what Buddha required of us for our parents?

I love mindfulness but when I sleep I loose all my mindfulness. I see dreams in which I am unaware of the Truth. Should I maintain my mindfulness 24 hours a day? If yes , how can I maintain my mindfulness 24 hours a day so that mindfulness extends into my sleep?

After have studied Hinduism, and more modern reality creation referring to concepts such as higher vibrations, higher realms that exists beyond our material, such as the astral or heavenly. Also having witnessed fruits of human/divine will and the power of creative imagination, such as people being healed. However I have yet to truly study Buddhism, but I have a lingering sense that, unlike Hinduism, which is concentrated on an entity. That there must be something beyond the Gods, who most likely exist on a heavenly, but nevertheless, on a lower plane. What is beyond that? Oneness of all concepts and Gods? Infinite awareness? Is it experiencial only? What does Buddhism state when it comes to this? Thanks guys.

I remember reading suttas in which the Buddha describes suffering, lust or other unwholesome mind states as burning. What are these suttas?

To what extent does Buddhism state we have free will and moral responsibility for our actions? Does Karma mean our future is predestined?

I read sometime ago that [a woman with a Buddha tattoo was deported from Sri Lanka](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/22/sri-lanka-deports-british-tourist-buddha-tattoo) . Is it illegal because it's a Buddha image? Or other symbols like the dharma wheel are not allowed as tattoo as well? What about tattoo images that resemble these symbols (e.g. a meditating person or a circle with eight spikes representing the Noble Eightfold Path)? Thanks

The first precept makes it clear that we should refrain from killing. However let's say you have an animal (or worse, a human) who is going to die anyway (say from being attacked by another animal, or some incurable disease). He can either die on his own in agony, or you could end his life quickly. The intention is not to end his life out of hate or anger, but out of love and compassion - and anyway, nothing you or anyone will do will change that their going to die. Looking through the other questions on the topic, it's clear that you're going to get bad karma for killing something, even if it's (in your head) justified by self-defence or whatever - but in those cases you have a choice of killing vs something bad happening , while in this case you have a choice of killing vs watching die.