Here is the Pali from the Nakhasikhā Sutta, which is about the "breakthrough" of three fetters, for a disciple of the noble ones who is consummate in view, an individual who has broken through [to stream-entry]: > Evaṃ me sutaṃ—​ ekaṃ samayaṃ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṃ viharati jetavane > anātha­piṇḍi­kassa ārāme. Atha kho bhagavā parittaṃ nakhasikhāyaṃ > paṃsuṃ āropetvā bhikkhū āmantesi: “taṃ kiṃ maññatha, bhikkhave, > katamaṃ nu kho bahutaraṃ, yo vāyaṃ mayā paritto nakhasikhāyaṃ paṃsu > āropito, ayaṃ vā mahāpathavī”ti? > > “Etadeva, bhante, bahutaraṃ, yadidaṃ mahāpathavī. Appamattako > bhagavatā paritto nakhasikhāyaṃ paṃsu āropito. Neva satimaṃ kalaṃ > upeti na sahassimaṃ kalaṃ upeti na satasahassimaṃ kalaṃ upeti > mahāpathaviṃ upanidhāya bhagavatā paritto nakhasikhāyaṃ paṃsu > āropito”ti. “Evameva kho, bhikkhave, ariyasāvakassa > diṭṭhi­sam­pannassa puggalassa abhisametāvino etadeva bahutaraṃ > dukkhaṃ yadidaṃ parikkhīṇaṃ pariyādiṇṇaṃ; appamattakaṃ avasiṭṭhaṃ. > Neva satimaṃ kalaṃ upeti na sahassimaṃ kalaṃ upeti na satasahassimaṃ > kalaṃ upeti purimaṃ duk­khak­khan­dhaṃ parikkhīṇaṃ pariyādiṇṇaṃ > upanidhāya yadidaṃ **sattak­khat­tuṃ­paramatā**. Evaṃ mahatthiyomaha kho, > bhikkhave, dhammā­bhisa­mayo; evaṃ mahatthiyo > dhamma­cak­khu­paṭi­lābho” ti. > > sattakkhattuṃ: seven times. + paramatā: (in cpds.) the highest > quality; at the most. Where is the word "lives" or "lifetimes" found here?

I'm thinking of taking the upostha sila for 7 days targeting for a Pooja. And I am employed in a software engineering company so I'll be working for 5 days out of 7. Can you give me any advices on how to take the 8 preceps and how to protect them avoiding obstacles that could harm them during these working days? Some Sutta references are appreciated as well (if any) -Metta

Theravada Buddhism holds that achieving nirvana is impossible for a lay person, hence my question. > "When this was said, the wanderer Vacchagotta asked the Blessed One: “Master Gotama, is there any householder who, without abandoning the fetter of householdership, on the dissolution of the body has made an end of suffering?” > > “Vaccha, there is no householder who, without abandoning the fetter of householdership, on the dissolution of the body has made an end of suffering". > > - MN 71 (Tevijjavaccha-suttaṃ)

Recently I meet a monk, I noticed that he has perspective to politicians that what they doing wrong, they are wrong, but I seem he speak a lot about politics, OK. But he also being little rude even when he was telling an incident he used some 'rude' about politician. So when I tell this to my uncle he said 'When he's monk he should not be rude to someone or harm even by **"Kaya (Body/Physically)", "Vacha (Talking)", "Man" (Mind/Thinking)**'. So does it break first precept? If you caught me doing wrong(Killing, Stealing, Inhumanity) and if you make specific perspective to me for lifetime does it break first precept? Thinking wrong about someone else for what it is (Thief, Terrorist, Murderer).

After finishing a mahasi retreat and asking a second teacher told me that everyone is going through the nanas always Can people here explain on this issue please ... Does it mean everyone is advancing on the path.? Or its just helpful in case you are aware of the nanas meaning you are mindful to them Thanks in advance this issue just got me very confused .. So any clarification is helpful

To my limited knowledge, in Zen, it is believed that anyone can be enlightened(if dedicated enough). Does everyone have this potential in other branches of Buddhism? Can everyone achieve this through meditation? Is this what is meant by Buddha nature? Is it exclusive to humans(is language necessary?)

Can we gain wisdom(**panna or prajna**) with only one pointed concentration on a concept? I've heard it said that it takes mindfulness on "what actually is" instead of a concept that doesn't exist. Samatha, at least temporarily, lessons the defilements so why wouldn't concentration meditation be able to show one panna? Can one gain panna without seeing the three characteristics? Can one see the three characteristics with Samatha by itself? Can we reach Nirvana with just Samatha?

Firstly I'd like to provide some context: When I first began getting into the Buddhist teachings, specifically that of the Theravada tradition, I'd often do things such as passively play the Dhammapada in my earphones while riding my bike, or keep it on low volume in the background while I did something else. My goal was to be able to gain a basic grasp of the dhamma through forced repeated listening, and to an extent it worked in the sense that I memorized a lot of verses and ideas found in the Dhammapada, and upon hearing a verse quoted, I have an "aha" moment in the sense that It feels familiar. Furthermore, my mind and speaking style had a subtle change as well, with my head being fixated on "illusions" found in everyday physical existence. Overall, there was definitely a change in my physical being. In Buddhism, mindfulness is praised and shown as the key to making spiritual progress. While I did employ mindful practices such as watching my mind in everyday life and meditating every once in a while, the practice I used for the longest time was definitely not that of a mindful one. Yet, it seemed to have occurred to me that reaching a certain point in Buddhist practice, even through mindful meditation, requires a certain degree of destroying the old and replacing with the new, in the sense that old beliefs such as those cultivated through childhood can prevent one from going forward in their spiritual practice, or in that sense any practice, be it learning a skill or whatever (i.e saying to yourself constantly that "I'm this, I'm this kind of person/ I was made to do X"). Whether through the words of Buddha or through the teachings of other Buddhist practices such as those of a tantric origin, what is the Buddhist perspective on knowingly "brainwashing" or "rewiring" yourself via methods of repeated listening, binaural beats, and other various forms of hypnosis and subconcious alterations to make changes to your life and perspective on things?

I desperately need quotes from either scripture or from scholars.

In Buddhism, the English words 'suffering' & 'unsatisfactoriness' are often used as translations of the Pali word 'dukkha'. What is the difference between 'suffering' & 'unsatisfactoriness'?

Buddhism was originated from India.It spread all accross the world, many countries are called as Buddhist countries. Lord Buddha was the most scientific, serene, logical and kind person of the world, anyone becoming his enemy seems to be impossible. There was a time when almost whole of the India was Buddhist. Then, what caused the decline of Buddhism in India?

What the actual words or at least the structure of of the ceremony/ritual? I'm particularly interested from the Mahayana East Asian standpoint (Chinese/Korean/Vietnamese/Japanese) However, I don't speak or read any of those languages. It may or may not be relevant, but I have a Samantabhadra, Kwan Yin, Medicine Buddha and a Shakyamuni statue.

In a *book* I am reading it says "This is what the Buddha realized by examining himself. With his strongly concentrated mind, he penetrated deeply into his own nature and found that the entire material structure is composed of minute subatomic particles which are continuously arising and vanishing. In the snapping of a finger or the blinking of an eye, he said, each one of these particles arises and passes away many trillions of times." I don't understand how he saw this? What exactly did he see? When I meditate I dont see this. I just see thoughts.

I have been looking for an e-book on "Jataka Tales", I got one in Marathi by Ven.Dharmanand Kosambi which I feel is good and the another one I got is in English by Todd Anderson which is totally different from the Marathi version. The stories here are different from the Marathi one. Can somebody please tell me somethig about the Jataka tales and the place / site where I can get the genuine e-book on the same in English? Thanks in advance!

I heard about some ascetics who were incapable of concentrating their minds. After changing their environment, the Jhanas were realized easier.

I *read* that we must not listen or teach Dhamma if we've wear hat or cap. So why we must not wear hat or cap while listen or teach Dhamma even at anniversaries?

Nowadays, I've been practicing Vipassana (Sometimes anaapan) with open eyes since I instantly start feeling sensations almost everywhere in my body including flesh & organs when I draw my attention there. Actually, I haven't fixed proper time for Sādhna in my routine rather I try to practice it 24hrs by being aware constantly like during eating, walking, listening, sitting (During activity I try to witness activity with detachment) with **equanimity**.

But whenever I give time to meditation with **closed eyes**, I feel my surrounding very dynamic, beautiful & loving once I open my eyes after meditation. So far, I have been taking this as **my hallucinations along with ego** is the reason I haven't cared to give dedicated time for meditation practice with closed eyes.

But now, I want to ask whether I'm missing something? - Should I allot dedicated time for meditation with closed eyes? Are there some benefits? - Is feeling surrounding dynamic & beautiful after meditation a hallucination?

What's the Buddhist view of fostering a pet?

Is it (in a strict view) possible to go to inside a temple/pagoda sanctum with a wheelchair or should it be placed outside? and/or orthotics? Ihave spina bifida and sit mostly in a wheelchair. I can walk a few steps with help but need orthotics to support my ankles (without them its werry difficult to walk because i will stand on my toes.) I ask cause my friend is buddhist (i write from his account)

Are there any vampires in any living or dead (hah!) buddhist tradition? I read that there were kinda vampires in Tibetan Bon? Not sure why I'm asking, probably spiritual ressentiment :) Peace...