When you achieve nirvana , you have given up yourself. There is no person anymore. But my question is , if someone says publicly that he is arahant, is there a possibility that it can be true?

Let's say if a lay person sees fault of a monk (something against the monastic code, or against the Dhamma). Should the lay person just stay silent (thinking it would create bad karma), or should they do something about it (showing the monk what he has done, or letting others know about it)? Are there any Sutta references on what the Buddha said about this? I have seen a lot of monks doing things against the monastic code and the Dhamma, and it breaks me up to see that people who know about it are silent; and that, day by day, the Dhamma is fading away because of this. What has the Buddha instructed to a lay person, on situations like this? Since Buddha Sasana is not only monks and nuns, but also lay man and lay woman as well, what are the lay person's responsibilities towards the Sasana? (Sutta references are appreciated if any) --- Recently me and my Meditation teacher encountered a monk who stated in one of his statement saying that the Buddha has advised lay people not to comprehend the 4 truths but to get rid the 4 states of misery. For me and my teacher, it was shocking since all of Buddhism is based on the 4 truths. Therefore we created a video on the monk's statement and give a detailed explanation on how wrong the statement is and how it should be corrected and we uploaded it on youtube knowing that the messaged would spread to that monk. And within 3 days of time it did. At first, they didn't accept it but at the end they did accept their statement as wrong. And we took the video down since our mission accomplished. Our intention was for us to show that monk's fault and for him to recognize it and correct it. But now someone people are saying that it's a sin to do that and that we should not intervene with monks' things. But we were to stay silent when Monk themselves are spreading wrong statements, will the sasana survive? Isn't it selfish to stay silent where as we cans how what is right or wrong despite one is a monk or a lay person?

In Maha-Rahulovada Sutta monk Rahula asks the Buddha for instructions on developing Anapanasati. The Buddha didn't directly give instructions to him of Anapanasaati but instead, gives instructions on developing Anatta on the earth property, the water property, the fire property, the wind property, & the space property. > "Rahula, {any form whatsoever that is past, future, or present; internal or external; blatant or subtle; common or sublime; far or near: every form is to be seen as it actually is with right discernment as: 'This is not mine. This is not my self. This is not what I am.' There are these five properties, Rahula. Which five? The earth property, the water property, the fire property, the wind property, & the space property." It also states developing the **four Brahma Viharas, the perception of Unattractiveness and Impermanence.** After that only the Buddha gives instructions on **Anapanasati**. I also have heard that for the people who are untrained in Anapanasati, they may meditate on the elements and then go to Anapanasati. (Some say it is better to do this way since not doing Anapanasati properly can lead to difficulties in the mind) PS - I tried the above approach and it was somewhat smoother than directly going into Anapanasati. **Q1.** Is doing Dhatu manasikara first and doing Anapanasati afterward a smoother and an effective way of doing Anapanasati? **Q2.** Also, can I know the simple explanation of what these actually mean > I will breathe in calming bodily fabrication. > > I will breathe in sensitive to rapture. > > I will breathe in sensitive to pleasure. > > I will breathe in sensitive to mental fabrication > > I will breathe in calming mental fabrication. > > I will breathe in sensitive to the mind. > > I will breathe in satisfying the mind > > I will breathe in steadying the mind > > I will breathe in releasing the mind > > I will breathe in focusing on inconstancy. > > I will breathe in focusing on dispassion. > > I will breathe in focusing on cessation. > > I will breathe in focusing on relinquishment. What do these mean and how to achieve this is Anapanasati?

I have heard that Metta Meditation is the fastest way to a samadhi mind. How effectively fast is it? How is Metta properly cultivated as a meditation? As in how to develop the Vitakka Vicara on metta in meditation?

> If you believe in Shakyamuni Buddha the answer is No, because Buddha > was clear about the previous Buddha Kassapa and the next Buddha > Maytreia If that's the case, then buddha must be very few in numbers. Why so many want to be a buddha and reach nirvana if only very few would win the lotery? I've heard that there are many buddhas. Sidartha is buddha sankyamuni. That there are many buddha that are simply less famous. If that's the case, is there any living buddha in the world now?

Does everyone need to sit, even zen masters, especially according to Soto zen? Or are certain highly accomplished meditators incapable of experiencing scattered thoughts?

I am looking for a very specific sutta in the Pali Canon wherein it is explained how the uninstructed worldling, upon feeling dejected, will turn to sensual pleasures to assuage his craving for satisfaction, which is contrary to the way of the wise. Thank you for your kind attention, and your very much appreciated help.

There seem to be a lot of disagreements about the very basic term "mindfulness". Here is one of them. Yesterday I listened to a talk, where it was it was said that if one achieve total concentration on an object, there is no mindfulness. This makes sense to me, as ALL attention is on the subject and none is left to be mindful of what is going on (it was also mentioned that there is no wisdom gained from this, as it is from the moving, momentary concentration in mindfulness that one makes realizations about the four noble truths). This is all in accordance with my understanding of the difference between concentration and mindfulness. Then later at the evening I read an article by Ajahn Brahmavamso ("The quality of mindfulness") where he says that "with development, you can experience immovable mindfulness. The mindfulness that is on one thing entirely...The Buddha said this reaches its peak in the fourth Jhanas". I have read and heard a thousand other places that this is what he said about samadhi (concentration). And that one of Buddhas main contributions was the introduction of sati/mindfulness which among other things makes one aware of impermanence. How should "immovable mindfulness" ever give any realization of impermanence...immovable means permanent. He also says that "Once you know that type of mindfulness, then you know how ridiculous it is to think you can become Enlightened without Jhanas. Without such powerful mindfulness you can't get the powerful insights". To my knowledge Jhanas and one-pointedness (which I would call concentration) is not about insight. To my knowledge Buddha, before he found the path to (his) enlightenment, was taught meditation techniques which aimed towards being completely absorbed, but that he found that this did not bring him what he searched for. Isnt this one of the major points in buddhist teaching?

I'm wondering what the best ways to increase mental and physical energy are. I'm often fatigued, and feel slightly lethargic quite often. I have a lot of energy for intellectual tasks, but seemingly, I am fatigued by mundane chores or such things. I also lack willpower for resisting certain tasks. I believe that a good way to deal with this would be to simply commit to exercising more, but I wonder if there are other ways that Buddhism recommends. Thank you Edit: I think my previous post on lying might be relevant. Could it be that integrity--something encompassing effort, willpower, honesty and consistency--be something that I am currently lacking? Something akin to, perhaps, virya? I'm not sure. Any thoughts?

I'm trying to anchor my awareness while sitting at the desk. When bringing awareness to the body , I'm getting a tickling/tingling in the body . So to make it bearable I'm trying to move attention to different body parts and it keeps following too. So unable to hold awareness in the body for a long time. Is there any advice/guide on this ?

Non Abrahmic religions like Jainism, Buddhism, Hinduism & Sikhism believe in Karma theory & rebirth.

I'm interested in knowing the proofs of Karma theory & rebirth presented by Buddhism.

I have heard that the Buddha has told that in the future the monks will have a wife and kids, will wear no cloths except for a puuna nula and he would be engaging in hunting and etc. Where can I find the Sutta of this?

How many types of sects like Mahayans, Hinayans,Vajrayana are there in Buddhism? How did they come into Buddhism? To my knowledge Buddha never talked about any sort of 'yans'. Who created these 'Yans'? What was the necessity of creating these 'Yans'?

I heard one regarded by many a Buddhist teacher said, "Buddha **will go to** Naraka to save those suffering (tormented) beings, whilst those (monks, buddhists) will want to go to the Purelands. That (Buddha going to hell) is called Great Compassion." Is this teaching correct, is it Buddha's teaching? I learnt that 1. One should bear one's own deeds and consequences (karma), neither a father could bear on behalf for the son, nor a daughter for the mother; 2. Buddha could not "give" enlightenment to anyone because enlightenment is reached by oneself; 3. If one who hasn't cultivated enough merits, one would be born in one of the Eight Obscured Places (八無暇) that Dharma couldn't be heard; one of the Eight Obscured Places is Naraka. Is this saying contradictory to 3)? Why is he saying this?

As per the scriptures, lower being such as pretha & higher beings such as deva & Brahma remembers their early life. But in case of humans, only rare incidents are reported in remembering the past life. What is the cause of this?

I'd watched show Tattoo Hunter of [Dr. Lars Krutak](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lars_Krutak) on Discovery channel. And he had Buddhist tattoo by Thervada monks. There was an Elephant, Tiger and Crocodile tattoos. And who had those tattoos they have power of these animals. So I want to know more about meaning of that art and techniques and may I think those powers are because of techniques and meditation. Is this art and techniques discovered by Buddha?

Some religions spread through its followers actively seeking out new followers. Some religions do their own thing and inspire others to join. Some religions preach openly to people and let them decide. Some religions cannot be joined unless you know someone who is already in it. Some religions do not have any agenda when it comes to recruiting. What is the ideal manner in which Buddhism is to be spread to others?

In this society a lot of people say "I'm a Buddhist" but they're just saying that. So my question is, how can a person become a real Buddhist? And how do we know he's a real Buddhist?

I'm a writer, and I tend to write parts of factual information, such as insights or impressions, mixed with other fictional aspects. Therefore, I am worried about what constitutes a lie, and what isn't. My intention is never to deceive, but I feel others may gather things in my writings that I didn't mean, or that are untrue. They could easily conclude stuff which isn't factual through them. What are your thoughts? Thanks. Edit: I make many claims in my writings, grandiose or vast claims, which I cannot be truly certain of. Yet, I don't mean them to be taken literally. I'm unsure what is considering lying, or pride, or boasting: is fiction really a realm wherein these things are considered, or is fiction free of judgment? Thanks.

- What are the scriptures of Vajrāyana Buddhism? Or texts related? - Where can I get scriptures or texts on Vajrāyana Buddhism?