Buddhism
Q&A for people practicing or interested in Buddhist philosophy, teaching, and practice
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2
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1
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199
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Sutta Reference of Buddhism Not being a Philosophy
I am looking for the proper Suttra/Dhammapada in which the Buddha states the following. > My teaching is not a philosophy. It is the result of direct > experience... My teaching is a means of practice, not something to > hold onto or worship. My teaching is like a raft used to cross the > river. Onl...
I am looking for the proper Suttra/Dhammapada in which the Buddha states the following.
> My teaching is not a philosophy. It is the result of direct
> experience... My teaching is a means of practice, not something to
> hold onto or worship. My teaching is like a raft used to cross the
> river. Only a fool would carry the raft around after he had already
> reached the other shore of liberation.
Akila Hettiarachchi
(1233 rep)
Jul 29, 2017, 07:29 PM
• Last activity: Jul 29, 2017, 09:30 PM
3
votes
3
answers
165
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We need to remove fear. But mothers fear for their kids?
If I have no expectation, I can't feel fear. I can't be afraid of dying. Yet, when I fall off a bike, isn't it fear that protects me from dying? Mothers also often worry about their kids. Are they weak for doing so?
If I have no expectation, I can't feel fear. I can't be afraid of dying. Yet, when I fall off a bike, isn't it fear that protects me from dying? Mothers also often worry about their kids. Are they weak for doing so?
fpepito
(31 rep)
Jul 29, 2017, 12:01 AM
• Last activity: Jul 29, 2017, 12:06 PM
2
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3
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468
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Killing a Animal to prevent painful of that Animal.Is it consider as a bad thing for me according to buddhism?
Note : Sorry for my bad English. If anyone can please edit the question for better meaning. There is a dog. But dog is spending very painful life after huge burning(just before 10-20 minutes ago). It is very painful. I repeat it it is very very painful. So if I kill Dog, is it consider as a bad thin...
Note : Sorry for my bad English. If anyone can please edit the question for better meaning.
There is a dog. But dog is spending very painful life after huge burning(just before 10-20 minutes ago). It is very painful. I repeat it it is very very painful.
So if I kill Dog, is it consider as a bad thing for me according to buddhism?
If I do it, I will do it just only stop painful of dog.
So is it consider as a bad thing for me according to buddhism?
Gal kolla
(21 rep)
Jul 28, 2017, 09:38 AM
• Last activity: Jul 29, 2017, 07:02 AM
2
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2
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1892
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How to breathe into your stomach and not get light headed during meditation?
During conventional Buddhist sitting meditation I have a problem whereby because I am thinking about my breathing my breath is quite short (I can't seem to change that) and just a few minutes in, just as I am starting to get into a deeper state and see something, I find that I start feeling quite li...
During conventional Buddhist sitting meditation I have a problem whereby because I am thinking about my breathing my breath is quite short (I can't seem to change that) and just a few minutes in, just as I am starting to get into a deeper state and see something, I find that I start feeling quite light headed and almost hyperventilating because I am thinking about the breath and thus not breathing as I usually (which may still not be the perfect way for meditation, but at least normally when I'm not thinking about my breath I don't hyperventilate).
I have been told by teachers that I should try to breathe into my stomach as this is good energetically and will make the breath to the degree and the length it needs to be.
However, no matter what I try, I don't seem to be managing to achieve this stomach breathing.
So I was wondering if there is a particular knack to it or any advice? Am I actually trying to breathe into my stomach or just to expand my lungs down there (different teachers have said contradictory things on this matter)?
user4967
Jul 28, 2017, 09:09 AM
• Last activity: Jul 28, 2017, 02:16 PM
2
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3
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238
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If someone steals my goods/harms me then is it ok to take revenge on him/her?
If someone has done some big bad thing bad to me, which can't be forgotten easily, then is it ok to take revenge on them, if that person is guilty in this matter? Will it generate any negative karmic impression in me? should it? Which is important: peace or justice?
If someone has done some big bad thing bad to me, which can't be forgotten easily, then is it ok to take revenge on them, if that person is guilty in this matter? Will it generate any negative karmic impression in me? should it? Which is important: peace or justice?
user10568
Jul 26, 2017, 02:24 PM
• Last activity: Jul 27, 2017, 12:57 PM
4
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1
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152
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Buddhism view on idol worship?
I would like to make a little temple in my home. Something that has my little singing bowl and its' pillow and a container for incense and maybe a little Buddha in a pagoda. Like a desktop thing. I'd use it for meditation. Is this frowned upon or allowed or even addressed? I see little temples at bu...
I would like to make a little temple in my home. Something that has my little singing bowl and its' pillow and a container for incense and maybe a little Buddha in a pagoda. Like a desktop thing. I'd use it for meditation.
Is this frowned upon or allowed or even addressed? I see little temples at businesses and I didnt know how that all worked. Honestly I dont really care about a reputation or anything like that. I just need a tenable, defendable position about it if asked and you people are smarter than I.
Kauvasara
(942 rep)
Jul 27, 2017, 02:44 AM
• Last activity: Jul 27, 2017, 04:42 AM
3
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1
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Any reconstructions of earliest mentioned classification of canon?
> Monks, there is the case where some worthless men study the Dhamma: > dialogues, narratives of mixed prose and verse, explanations, verses, > spontaneous exclamations, quotations, birth stories, amazing events, > question & answer sessions [the earliest classifications of the Buddha's teachings]....
> Monks, there is the case where some worthless men study the Dhamma:
> dialogues, narratives of mixed prose and verse, explanations, verses,
> spontaneous exclamations, quotations, birth stories, amazing events,
> question & answer sessions [the earliest classifications of the Buddha's teachings]. [MN22](http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.022.than.html)
It's probably a hazy endeavour, but has anyone attempted to reconstruct such a classification from either the suttas or agamas?
Ilya Grushevskiy
(1992 rep)
Jul 26, 2017, 02:11 PM
• Last activity: Jul 26, 2017, 09:52 PM
3
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2
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183
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Loving Communication
I am currently reading *The Art of Communication* by Thich Nhat Hanh and going through some rough spots in a relationship. From a Buddhist perspective, what is the most loving way to communicate, in a relationship when both people are suffering and have opposite needs? One believes they need space t...
I am currently reading *The Art of Communication* by Thich Nhat Hanh and going through some rough spots in a relationship.
From a Buddhist perspective, what is the most loving way to communicate, in a relationship when both people are suffering and have opposite needs? One believes they need space to heal and find themselves, and the other needs understanding that comes through meaningful communication before that time apart will seem restorative.
Jonathon Anderson
(131 rep)
Jul 25, 2017, 05:17 PM
• Last activity: Jul 26, 2017, 09:03 PM
4
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4
answers
162
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Rarity of the Human World
I've read in Buddhist texts that being born into the human world is a rare and privileged event. If that's the case, then why are killers and "bad" people *allowed* to be born into the human world? I'm not sure if Buddhists teaching elaborate on the ability to predict a person's future actions but i...
I've read in Buddhist texts that being born into the human world is a rare and privileged event.
If that's the case, then why are killers and "bad" people *allowed* to be born into the human world?
I'm not sure if Buddhists teaching elaborate on the ability to predict a person's future actions but it is my belief and understanding that a person's past karma can foreshadow such a thing.
NuWin
(351 rep)
Jul 26, 2017, 12:40 AM
• Last activity: Jul 26, 2017, 05:39 PM
1
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1
answers
123
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Weird people and their Karma
So many times I've read and watched in news that people are taking video in their phone while crime is happening and someone burning in fire, one badly bleeding and facing to the death. So does those people are mostly reasonable cause of victims death? Do they need to pay more than actual criminal w...
So many times I've read and watched in news that people are taking video in their phone while crime is happening and someone burning in fire, one badly bleeding and facing to the death. So does those people are mostly reasonable cause of victims death?
Do they need to pay more than actual criminal when they could save them?
I thought they are real criminals. I'm really afraid what's happening in this "Modern weird world". If I were there I could save those people. I'm really feel very very bad cause I couldn't help them out.People just taking video to viral on social medias. I really don't understand this kind of nature.
So what is waiting for them?
Swapnil
(2164 rep)
Jul 25, 2017, 05:58 PM
• Last activity: Jul 26, 2017, 02:03 PM
0
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6
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If a living being is not self aware than can he experience suffering or pleasure?
When some living being like dog or any mini bacteria are killed, since they are not self aware or concious do they feel the same type of pain as we do? what is the difference between their suffering and our suffering?
When some living being like dog or any mini bacteria are killed, since they are not self aware or concious do they feel the same type of pain as we do? what is the difference between their suffering and our suffering?
user10568
Jul 24, 2017, 07:27 AM
• Last activity: Jul 26, 2017, 08:40 AM
0
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2
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150
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Nothing i seem to have flipped the switch by getting rid of everything
I feel pulled to the belief i was a monk before. My first life. And other things are happening to me. Is there anyone who will listen rather than attack? Try to understand rather than condemn? ---------- In other words, could such view make sense (or be accepted) in the Buddhist context?
I feel pulled to the belief i was a monk before. My first life. And other things are happening to me. Is there anyone who will listen rather than attack? Try to understand rather than condemn?
----------
In other words, could such view make sense (or be accepted) in the Buddhist context?
Abel Lucero
(11 rep)
Jul 19, 2017, 05:15 AM
• Last activity: Jul 26, 2017, 03:03 AM
2
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2
answers
71
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Conscious Attention for Inner transformation during daily activities
The life current is extremely strong, if I consciously bring my attention to a single breath, a single movement of my abdomen, a single moment of my weight or sensation of my sitting bones during daily life, would it still be beneficial to my inner transformation? Or is it long hours of (15min plus)...
The life current is extremely strong, if I consciously bring my attention to a single breath, a single movement of my abdomen, a single moment of my weight or sensation of my sitting bones during daily life, would it still be beneficial to my inner transformation?
Or is it long hours of (15min plus) sitting meditation, body scanning is only counted?
nish1013
(1217 rep)
Jul 25, 2017, 10:36 AM
• Last activity: Jul 25, 2017, 01:09 PM
2
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4
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287
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How to be kind when you don't like people or the world?
I'm not sure I make a very good Buddhist. The thing is I really don't like people. They constantly disappoint me. I find most people to be so stupid. Take for example half of America and the idiotic orange leader they have elected. What kind of idiots would elect a bigoted narcissistic fool such as...
I'm not sure I make a very good Buddhist. The thing is I really don't like people. They constantly disappoint me. I find most people to be so stupid. Take for example half of America and the idiotic orange leader they have elected. What kind of idiots would elect a bigoted narcissistic fool such as this?? I don't care if it's "wrong speech", I'm not going to be polite about it, the man is a delusional scumbag and such a negative force on the planet. I cannot feel any compassion or kindness for him or his ignorant redneck believers. If someone killed him I would honestly feel glad. Yet a short distance away in Canada there is one of the most compassionate amazing leaders ever to grace the earth. Go figure. America seems like hell on earth to me.
Most of the world seems to currently be controlled by dangerous mentally ill people. A lot of the time I dont even want to be here anymore. The amount of money it costs just to scrape by and survive this life now is another reason that I don't want to be here. A life that is sustained by money feels so meaningless. Sure life is more than about money but let's face it without it you die and nobody cares less. It's all so screwed up.
Arturia
(2760 rep)
Jul 23, 2017, 09:47 PM
• Last activity: Jul 24, 2017, 03:34 PM
1
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3
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Meditation help - Am i observing a thought like I should or entertaining it?
I have a question with how to properly meditate, and a quick glance at other questions at this site seem to indicate I believe this exchange can provide answers. I have two questions: 1) When I meditate, I often find myself daydreaming more than having thoughts bother me, although I can very occasio...
I have a question with how to properly meditate, and a quick glance at other questions at this site seem to indicate I believe this exchange can provide answers.
I have two questions:
1) When I meditate, I often find myself daydreaming more than having thoughts bother me, although I can very occasionally find myself daydreaming of something in my past that was unpleasant (doesn't seem to happen much though). To simply observe this thought, do I let it play out or try and
focus on my breathing?
2) I have some symptoms of OCD, such as the whim of my internal voice at times playing out an uncomfortable experience in my head or a statement that bothers me (which is why my mind states it), and I worry if I don't address I might subconsciously believe it. (Such as, if the compulsive thought that bothered me was "I'm a bad person" and if I just let that sit with me instead of addressing it, merely observe it, I might subconsciously believe it. This is just an example but it illustrates what I'm getting at). Can I rest assured just observing such a thought won't cause such subconscious beliefs?
sangstar
(121 rep)
Jul 23, 2017, 11:07 PM
• Last activity: Jul 24, 2017, 02:48 PM
3
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3
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Did anyone ask the Buddha what their rebirth will be?
Did anyone ask the Buddha what their rebirth will be? I'm just asking 'cos that's what I would ask, if I knew of any 'Buddha'.
Did anyone ask the Buddha what their rebirth will be?
I'm just asking 'cos that's what I would ask, if I knew of any 'Buddha'.
user2512
Jul 19, 2017, 12:02 AM
• Last activity: Jul 24, 2017, 12:25 PM
2
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5
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442
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What is Buddhist reality?
If the Buddha said that ultimate reality is really non-self (anatman), or empty of inherent existence (sunya), then why did he bother to talk about human beings and other “provisional” things?
If the Buddha said that ultimate reality is really non-self (anatman), or empty of inherent existence (sunya), then why did he bother to talk about human beings and other “provisional” things?
Jas Thomas
(21 rep)
Jul 19, 2017, 08:47 AM
• Last activity: Jul 23, 2017, 08:01 PM
3
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2
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202
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Calming the mind
I am usually a calm person but lately my anxiety is off the roof. A little bit of background. I am a 28 year old female about to end my enlistment in the army and have put my resume out there. But I haven't heard anything back from the government. I am getting really stressed because it feels like i...
I am usually a calm person but lately my anxiety is off the roof. A little bit of background. I am a 28 year old female about to end my enlistment in the army and have put my resume out there. But I haven't heard anything back from the government. I am getting really stressed because it feels like i am diving into the unknown and the date of end of contract is really close. Worse case scenario, I will use my GI bill to pay for my rent but that hasn't stopped me from being anxious.
Question: Is there something I can do to stop worrying and keep my mind at peace? Do you guys have any advice you can give me which made it easier for you to go through a difficult uncertain time in your life. Also, are there any mantras, or book or anything in the teachings of the Buddha which might help me. Thanks again
Nadege
(133 rep)
Jul 18, 2017, 02:14 PM
• Last activity: Jul 23, 2017, 06:10 PM
2
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1
answers
284
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What would be some Japanese Buddhist/Shinto routines or rituals that households will do?
I believe in all the religions holding stake in the world but I am more attuned with Japanese Buddhism and Shintoism. I've read through a lot of info on the two and love the harmony between them. I also enjoy the Shinto legends and in a way believe in the life force or kami of the world around me. I...
I believe in all the religions holding stake in the world but I am more attuned with Japanese Buddhism and Shintoism. I've read through a lot of info on the two and love the harmony between them. I also enjoy the Shinto legends and in a way believe in the life force or kami of the world around me. I understand that a majority of these religions are trying to find the happiness and the peace within yourself and in your life. Respecting nature too.
My question comes from wanting to know if there is anything that I could insert into my daily life that would help me... feel more at peace I guess. I watch and read a lot about Japanese culture, but I can't really seem to find any info for little routines or actions that I've seen portrayed in media.
For instance, Charms hanging from the windows/doorways. Little shrines to meditate in front of in the house.
Are there more of these that aren't explained due to them being so minor? Are there special statues or paintings that hold any meanings? Maybe sayings? Plants? Smells?
Recently, I've started caring for plants more...in-particular, a bonsai that I am hoping will be beautiful and something I can pass on to my children.
I use incense which helps me think about my life and introspect.
Hush
(121 rep)
Mar 4, 2016, 05:23 PM
• Last activity: Jul 23, 2017, 04:43 AM
-1
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3
answers
99
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Sending metta to fictional charcters ?
Is there a point sending metta to fictional characters like in a movie or a computer game ?
Is there a point sending metta to fictional characters like in a movie or a computer game ?
breath
(1454 rep)
Jul 22, 2017, 03:01 PM
• Last activity: Jul 23, 2017, 04:34 AM
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