Buddhism
Q&A for people practicing or interested in Buddhist philosophy, teaching, and practice
Latest Questions
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What are the differences between faith and fides?
What are the differences between faith/devotion and [*fides*][1] (deities)? [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fides_(deity)
What are the differences between faith/devotion and *fides* (deities)?
Olivia Glad
(402 rep)
Jun 17, 2017, 06:56 AM
• Last activity: Jun 22, 2017, 08:47 PM
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3
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Is there a concept of after life in Buddhism?
I know that Nirvana is not like heaven the one they have in Christianity and Islam, but rather just a state of mind in the present world. Then what happens to someone who dies after becoming the enlightened one or becoming a Buddha? Where does he/she go?
I know that Nirvana is not like heaven the one they have in Christianity and Islam, but rather just a state of mind in the present world. Then what happens to someone who dies after becoming the enlightened one or becoming a Buddha? Where does he/she go?
laser2302
(201 rep)
Jun 17, 2017, 03:38 AM
• Last activity: Jun 22, 2017, 08:31 PM
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2
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Perception of light - a twist in the Bhaya Bherava sutta?
In the Bhaya Bherava Sutta MN 4 translated by Bhikkhu Tannissaro this is stated as said by the Buddha. "There are some brahmans & contemplatives, brahman, who have the perception of 'day' when it is night, and of 'night' when it is day. This, I tell you, is their being in a dwelling of delusion. As...
In the Bhaya Bherava Sutta MN 4 translated by Bhikkhu Tannissaro this is stated as said by the Buddha.
"There are some brahmans & contemplatives, brahman, who have the perception of 'day' when it is night, and of 'night' when it is day. This, I tell you, is their being in a dwelling of delusion. As for me, I have the perception of 'day' when it is day, and of 'night' when it is night..."
However in the Capala Sutta A 7.58 and several other suttas the Buddha encourages meditators to develop the perception of light so that one "dwells by night as by day, and by day as by night."
How are we to reconcile these two statements?
Kaveenga Wijayasekara
(1663 rep)
Jun 22, 2017, 03:24 AM
• Last activity: Jun 22, 2017, 03:07 PM
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Breathing Meditation and Repression
I've engaged for a while in breathing meditation, yet I've had concerns that since I'm a person with a tendency for avoidance, that meditation for me involves repressing emotions or experience. I'm not consciously attempting to deny my experience, or push things away; however, I sometimes feel that'...
I've engaged for a while in breathing meditation, yet I've had concerns that since I'm a person with a tendency for avoidance, that meditation for me involves repressing emotions or experience.
I'm not consciously attempting to deny my experience, or push things away; however, I sometimes feel that's the outcome of my breathing meditation.
I wonder: is there anything else than the breath I could focus on? Will breathing meditation help or hinder with emotional regulation? Is it normal that I experience less thoughts and emotions while focusing on the breath, and should I just keep going?
Ideally, I'd like a technique that generates more contact with emotion, more ability to feel and let go emotions, but especially feel them.
Thanks for any thoughts.
EDIT: Would it be beneficial to sit for a certain amount of time no matter what meditative technique is used? E.g. sit--regardless of meditation type--40 min a day?
user7302
Jun 16, 2017, 06:36 PM
• Last activity: Jun 22, 2017, 03:00 PM
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Quantified Self and Meditation
I've looked around here for things related to this but keep coming up dry... As is fairly common these days, I've been tracking/logging a lot of different things over the past several years such as my diet, exercise, certain specific activities or actions taken etc. I'm curious to hear opinions/advi...
I've looked around here for things related to this but keep coming up dry...
As is fairly common these days, I've been tracking/logging a lot of different things over the past several years such as my diet, exercise, certain specific activities or actions taken etc.
I'm curious to hear opinions/advice and if anyone is aware of any references in the suttas on the topic of tracking and logging each time you sit & the duration of the sit. Particularly when establishing or modifying a habit, I've found logging to be extremely helpful --> but at times the idea of logging my sits also seems counter to the teachings and especially counter to "just being."
Are there any references in the canon or other teachings that might point to or be a helpful guide in this area?
Ejoso
(153 rep)
Sep 14, 2015, 05:09 PM
• Last activity: Jun 22, 2017, 03:53 AM
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Is there evidence of a Buddhist influence on Greek Stoicism?
Stoic philosophy seems to share a lot with Buddhist wisdom. Since Zeno of Citium (generally credited as the founder of Stoicism) is said to have lived a couple hundred years after Siddhartha Gautama, it seems possible that some cross pollination of ideas may have influenced the development of Stoic...
Stoic philosophy seems to share a lot with Buddhist wisdom. Since Zeno of Citium (generally credited as the founder of Stoicism) is said to have lived a couple hundred years after Siddhartha Gautama, it seems possible that some cross pollination of ideas may have influenced the development of Stoic philosphy. Is there any evidence (other than the similarities in philosophy) that this happened?
GreenMatt
(877 rep)
Aug 20, 2014, 07:21 PM
• Last activity: Jun 21, 2017, 10:29 PM
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What type of tanha, is the tanha to end tanha?
This is from the Bhikkhuni Sutta AN 4.159 "Taṇhā sambhuto ayaṃ bhagini kāyo, taṇhaṃ nissāya taṇhā pahātabbā" "'This body, Sister, comes into being through craving. And yet it is by relying on craving that craving is to be abandoned.' (Translation from Access To Insight) Now this tanha, is it a kaama...
This is from the Bhikkhuni Sutta AN 4.159
"Taṇhā sambhuto ayaṃ bhagini kāyo, taṇhaṃ nissāya taṇhā pahātabbā"
"'This body, Sister, comes into being through craving. And yet it is by relying on craving that craving is to be abandoned.'
(Translation from Access To Insight)
Now this tanha, is it a kaama tanha, bhava tanha, vibhava tanha, any of them, or something other than them?
This is more of an academic question so, please answer when time permits. Thank you in advance.
With metta.
Kaveenga Wijayasekara
(1663 rep)
Jun 20, 2017, 01:34 AM
• Last activity: Jun 21, 2017, 08:32 PM
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Did the Buddha have special instructions to deal with masturbation?
Did he teach special ways to handle those sexual lusts, did he prohibit it, or just not paying any attention to it? If so what were they?
Did he teach special ways to handle those sexual lusts, did he prohibit it, or just not paying any attention to it? If so what were they?
Marijn
(803 rep)
Jan 27, 2016, 09:16 PM
• Last activity: Jun 21, 2017, 06:21 PM
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Pali Scriptures & Folklore
What is she difference between the Pali Suttas and folklore or the Indian folklore at the time? Is it possible some suttas include folklore as well as authentic words of the Buddha?
What is she difference between the Pali Suttas and folklore or the Indian folklore at the time? Is it possible some suttas include folklore as well as authentic words of the Buddha?
Lowbrow
(7466 rep)
Jun 21, 2017, 02:29 PM
• Last activity: Jun 21, 2017, 03:25 PM
7
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3
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Should a Buddhist lay-practitioner schedule his/her daily life
I'm currently considering making schedules for my daily life in order to counteract boredom and restlessness. Does anyone has experience with doing this and maybe can give me some tips? Is it beneficial and if yes, how strict should you schedule your day?
I'm currently considering making schedules for my daily life in order to counteract boredom and restlessness. Does anyone has experience with doing this and maybe can give me some tips? Is it beneficial and if yes, how strict should you schedule your day?
OidaOudenEidos
(1795 rep)
May 15, 2016, 02:48 PM
• Last activity: Jun 21, 2017, 12:29 AM
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Did Siddartha have a back problem?
in Week 3 Mindfulness of Emotions an online course at:http://www.insightmeditationcenter.org/books-articles/articles/introduction-to-meditation-transcripts/all/1/ Gil Fronsdal says "... the Buddha had a bad back. You wouldn’t believe it with his good posture, but he had a bad back and sometimes he c...
in Week 3 Mindfulness of Emotions an online course at:http://www.insightmeditationcenter.org/books-articles/articles/introduction-to-meditation-transcripts/all/1/
Gil Fronsdal says "... the Buddha had a bad back. You wouldn’t believe it with his good posture, but he had a bad back and sometimes he couldn’t give his Dharma talk, so he’d lie down instead and have one of his senior disciples give a talk."
Anyone know where he might have got this information from?
Thomas Schulte
(415 rep)
Jun 20, 2017, 04:01 AM
• Last activity: Jun 20, 2017, 11:04 AM
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If there are no past and future lives, why should we practice Buddhism?
If there are no past and future lives and everything ends at the moment of death. Why should we bother with anything at all? Why would the Buddha teach for 45 years if all our problems are definitely solved at the moment of death?
If there are no past and future lives and everything ends at the moment of death. Why should we bother with anything at all?
Why would the Buddha teach for 45 years if all our problems are definitely solved at the moment of death?
user11545
Jun 18, 2017, 09:37 AM
• Last activity: Jun 19, 2017, 04:01 PM
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Odd Experience in Meditation
I feel that when I sit down to meditate, when I am completely still and just sitting, my mind tends to be not very pliable. It's like I cannot do anything, just be conscious without the ability to direct my attention. However, when I am on a bus, or walking, my attention is easily directed; it is on...
I feel that when I sit down to meditate, when I am completely still and just sitting, my mind tends to be not very pliable. It's like I cannot do anything, just be conscious without the ability to direct my attention. However, when I am on a bus, or walking, my attention is easily directed; it is only when I am in sitting posture that something seems to freeze my mind and attention, or make it less pliable. In sum, it feels, sitting, that I cannot do *anything*. Could this be something with the energetic body? Something with the inner channels? I dunno.
Also, this tendency towards lack of pliancy makes my static meditations very difficult. Should I just sit consistently in this non-pliant state and just wait it out?
Thanks for any feedback.
user7302
Jun 18, 2017, 11:49 PM
• Last activity: Jun 19, 2017, 03:51 PM
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If someone was an Once-returner in last life how can he know that ?
There are 4 stages in the path to nirvana. [![4 stages][1]][1] one of them is called "Once-returner" and they will be born only once as a human. So my question is , If Someone was an once-returner in last life , how can he know it in this life ? And if he does nothing in this life to attain nirvana,...
There are 4 stages in the path to nirvana. 
one of them is called "Once-returner" and they will be born only once as a human. So my question is , If Someone was an once-returner in last life , how can he know it in this life ? And if he does nothing in this life to attain nirvana, will he automatically be arahath and no rebirths?
one of them is called "Once-returner" and they will be born only once as a human. So my question is , If Someone was an once-returner in last life , how can he know it in this life ? And if he does nothing in this life to attain nirvana, will he automatically be arahath and no rebirths?
lasan
(558 rep)
May 25, 2017, 03:42 PM
• Last activity: Jun 19, 2017, 01:55 PM
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Fathersday - how would a western disciple of the Buddha make use of this fest?
How and why would a "modern" or "western" follower of the Buddhas teaching celebrate this day, and use it to pay gratitude to his father as one of his/here first God and the other three Gods? Maybe you like to share also how you fullfill this duty personaly to give others inspirations and ideas, mea...
How and why would a "modern" or "western" follower of the Buddhas teaching celebrate this day, and use it to pay gratitude to his father as one of his/here first God and the other three Gods?
Maybe you like to share also how you fullfill this duty personaly to give others inspirations and ideas, meaning: Be not greedy in sharing possible merits you do or have done.
*(Note: This question is given as a gift of Dhamma and not meant for commercial purpose or other wordily gains)*
Samana Johann
(254 rep)
Jun 18, 2017, 04:57 AM
• Last activity: Jun 18, 2017, 04:52 PM
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Why is 'attention' ('manasikara') included within 'nama-rupa'?
In respect to Dependent Origination , the Pali suttas state: > *Vedanā, saññā, cetanā, phasso, **manasikāro** - idaṃ vuccatāvuso nāmaṃ. Cattāri ca mahābhūtāni catunnañca mahābhūtānaṃ upādāya rūpaṃ. Idaṃ > vuccatāvuso rūpaṃ. Iti idañca nāmaṃ idañca rūpaṃ - idaṃ vuccatāvuso >...
In respect to Dependent Origination, the Pali suttas state:
> *Vedanā, saññā, cetanā, phasso, **manasikāro** - idaṃ vuccatāvuso nāmaṃ. Cattāri ca mahābhūtāni catunnañca mahābhūtānaṃ upādāya rūpaṃ. Idaṃ
> vuccatāvuso rūpaṃ. Iti idañca nāmaṃ idañca rūpaṃ - idaṃ vuccatāvuso
> nāmarūpaṃ.*
>
> *Feeling, perception, volition, contact and **attention** — these are called mentality. The four great elements and the material form
> derived from the four great elements — these are called materiality.*
Alternate translation:
> *Feeling, perception, intention, contact & **attention**: This is called name. The four great elements and the form dependent on the four great
> elements: This is called form. This name & this form are called
> name-&-form.*
Why do we think 'attention' ('manasikara') is included within 'nama-rupa'?
_________________________________________________________________
*Note: I personally do not have a definite answer to this question, apart from personal speculation therefore I have asked the question for people to think about & answer.*
Paraloka Dhamma Dhatu
(48153 rep)
Jun 17, 2017, 09:00 AM
• Last activity: Jun 18, 2017, 07:58 AM
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What is the difference between Vitakka/Vicara and Papanca?
In the [Madhupindika Sutta: The Ball of Honey (MN 18)](http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.018.than.html), what is the difference between Vitakka/Vicara and Papanca?
In the [Madhupindika Sutta: The Ball of Honey (MN 18)](http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.018.than.html) , what is the difference between Vitakka/Vicara and Papanca?
SarathW
(5685 rep)
Jun 16, 2017, 10:28 PM
• Last activity: Jun 18, 2017, 06:00 AM
3
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4
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love and caring is suffering
In my point of view everything we love finally ends up with sufferings. love is a root to suffering. But in the society there are plenty of people who lead very happy and non-suffering lives with love. But the people with full of honesty mostly get cheated and suffer their lives. So why is this worl...
In my point of view everything we love finally ends up with sufferings. love is a root to suffering. But in the society there are plenty of people who lead very happy and non-suffering lives with love. But the people with full of honesty mostly get cheated and suffer their lives. So why is this world seems to be unfair ? does it completely depends on our PREVIOUS BIRTH sins and merits ?
user7658
Dec 25, 2016, 03:20 PM
• Last activity: Jun 18, 2017, 04:50 AM
4
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4
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Wheel of life and bodhicitta
Why is the desire/attachment in the middle of the Wheel of Life considered negative and the desire of bodhicitta considered positive? What is the difference between them?
Why is the desire/attachment in the middle of the
Wheel of Life considered negative and the desire of bodhicitta considered positive?
What is the difference between them?
Cary Jin
(41 rep)
Jun 13, 2017, 09:08 PM
• Last activity: Jun 18, 2017, 03:08 AM
7
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3
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What are the Ānāpānasati Kammaṭṭhāna as Taught By Ven. Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thero
I am curious to know how Ven. Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thero teachers Ānāpānasati. Does he follow the 16 stage instructions or perhaps something similar to the 8 step method 1 or combination of both or something different with or without overlap. NB: In answering this please make this a self containe...
I am curious to know how Ven. Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thero teachers Ānāpānasati. Does he follow the 16 stage instructions or perhaps something similar to the 8 step method1 or combination of both or something different with or without overlap.
NB: In answering this please make this a self contained answer without having to navigate links and audio files.
---
1
Anapana Sati Meditation on Breathing by Ven. Mahathera Nauyane Ariyadhamma
Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena
(37227 rep)
Dec 21, 2015, 11:46 AM
• Last activity: Jun 18, 2017, 02:21 AM
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