The fifth precept is > I undertake the training rule to abstain from fermented drink that > causes heedlessness but I have read interpretations that translate it as > I undertake to abstain from intoxicants Are there any references in the Buddhist scriptures about the fifth precept having a broader interpretations that refer to intoxicants of different forms - not just chemical stimulants? I'm interested in views of any schools as I imagine the interpretation of the precept may be different between them. I'm also interested in any references to more modern teachers who take this broader approach if anyone knows of them.

The question is in the title. Or is he just known as an arahant?

What if I play a bad person in a computer game, cheating people. Or I play an assassin who kills people. Or my character in a game belongs to some evil cult. Or I roleplay a thief and steal. Or my character has an affair with a woman without being married. How are all these actions in a virtual reality close to actions in a real world from a buddhist point of view? Yes, I do not do them for real, **but I still make these choices using my free will**. So is it the same if I did all this in real life from? Are they bad for my karma?

If i want to get someone to the good path, who is not leading a good way of life, what should I do and where should I begin? Many of my friends do not have much understanding of life and they often make so many mistakes. As I have learned about the consequences of untamed words and actions, I fear for them and I want to know how to get them to listen and think about their own stupid actions. Are there any Theravada teachings on this matter? And/or do you have other advice (all answers are welcome and I am happy to learn every perspective)?

There are some special supernatural creatures mentioned in the Buddhist Tipitaka, which include for example: - Beings of negative births living like gods - Floating creatures in immense pain only seen by the Arahants - Evil creatures who only reside in ponds in the jungle - Evil creatures who eat their own babies Where in the Theravada Tipitaka can I find out more about these creatures? These stories are ascribed to (i.e. told by) the Buddha.

I’m not sure if this is a good question to ask but would be great if anyone could shed some lights. Not sure if it’s just me or anyone of you experiencing the same in one way or another? **In workplace** – It’s relatively hard to have the Buddhism practice applied when dealing with your co-workers or your bosses. It seems like one needs a little bit of drama to climb the corporate ladder. If you failed to do that, you may very well be left behind the rat-race unless you are satisfied with the condition where you are at now, else you might need to do something to get there. There are couples of scenarios commonly seen in today’s workplace. For example : (i)How do you even cultivate the so-called “right speech” to your co-workers at a somewhat hostile meeting or even competitive environment? (ii)In workplace, there’s a constant need for you to show that you are go-getter, driven person. How do you actually incorporate the *not clinging to the desire* for recognition or acknowledgement to a point where it’s considered acceptable in Buddhism context? On one hand, you are trying to detach yourself from this desire but on the other, you just wanting to do a good job. **At home with family** – Are you actually generating bad karma if you are minimizing interaction with your parents/siblings/relatives? Being away from home for couple of years, I find it pressurizing to go home even on an occasional basis. But I do try my best to go home as often as I could cos deep down I knew, I’m still holding the duty as a daughter. I knew my family misses me dearly and I can’t bear being in that emotional state. It’s like I’m opening up the chances of them having the desire for expecting me to be back again and again which is obviously not my intention here. Also, there are times when conflicts and disagreements arise, I find myself in a position using all kinds of unkind words towards my family which I felt bad later on. As much as I wanted to maintain good terms with them but it’s always seems like an energy-draining process and I gave up. I simply gave up the notion of having a proper communication with them in order to get the message conveyed properly or at least to have myself understood. And I thought by minimizing the interactions with them could at least mitigate the continuation of unwholesome act and I thought I could repay them in another way such as sending money back or sponsoring them for trips and etc. But part of me feels like I’m not fulfilling the duty as a daughter cos I failed to show gratitude to my parents/family. **In Society** – At times I find it hard to relate myself to non-Buddhist or to those free thinkers. It seems like we have different views and when you start speaking in a spiritual way, they turned judgemental to you or worse, they may think you are a weirdo or have issues and needs to be fixed. I can’t deny that some people going into Buddhism as a way of looking for an answer, for some guidances in life perhaps. I guess my intentions are undeniably between both, also I took it quite seriously as some sort of guide for betterment of oneself. But sadly, in this materialistic world today, the lay life are pretty ignorant with the essence of these valuable teaching. How do you actually pursue your spiritual path without offending others? Sorry for my lengthy questions. =(

I'm trying to take my practice back to the beginning in the hopes of energizing it and I think this might be helpful.I currently don't have access to a teacher so some Web resources would be great particularly some guided mediations that I could follow.

During the lectures on a 10-day vipassana retreat, SN Goenka made it clear that an action is unwholesome not only when it directly causes suffering - e.g. shooting at sentient beings, but also when it causes it indirectly - e.g. when one sells weapons. How to reconcile that with the fact that milk and dairy products are available for eating during the retreats? There is no doubt that buying such products amounts to supporting the dairy industry, and causes suffering of farmed cattle. Answers to [this question](https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/questions/5948/why-is-contributing-to-the-market-demand-for-meat-not-wrong) suggest that eating meat or drinking milk is not wrong, as long as one does not kill the animal directly. It would mean that SN Goenka was wrong, and selling weapons is not wrong either. Do I understand it correctly?

In this Partially Examined Life podcast one of the presenters stated that Zen is an extreme form of Mahayana. Is that true in any sense? Are there elements of Zen that could be classified as extreme? Or is the statement entirely wrong?

Does anyone know any new beginners ways to improve mindfulness in daily life?

If I for example buy cheap products from china and sell them with a higher price to other people in a different country in ebay - is this really wholesome? This kind of career, isn't really helping society in anything, correct ? Any other views on this subject is welcome.

On the Buddhist days for eating vegetarian, as laypeople is it okay if we eat eggs? I hear people say that eggs grown for eating are not devoid of life. If eaten, is one guilty of killing?

Emptiness is described in a number of ways however i am interpreting it as interdependence and interrelationships. Is this an appropriate understanding?

I'm quite familiar with Theravada and Zen but I can't understand the historical reasons for not keeping the original Buddha's teaching as a core. The schools do not contradict each other, so why reinvent a wheel? And also the Pali Canon feels more explicit. For example Heart Sutra of Avalokiteśvara is beautiful but it will not make as much sense to a newcomer as reading a Nikaya or two.

Apologies in advance if this is something you see often. I've been interested in Buddhism for a year now. I've read what I could find and do intend to read more. It seems Buddhism is like a tree, with each branch representing a different sect, and each leaf representing a different school. I'm not making sense I bet. Anyway, since I'm 100% new to Buddhism and realise I don't know up from down regarding it, maybe someone here can set me straight. I'm asking which sect/branch would be right for me. I can't find much information on the differences, as the articles I've read emphasize the sense of community across all sects and schools. Which is fine! I'm not here to create a schism. Just here to start on the path that is best suited for me. I'm big on self-improvement, so I guess a sect with that emphasis would be best for me. More information if requested. Thanks again.

I practice for something like at least two years--maybe more I don't remember when I started. I did one 16 day retreat Mahsasi style - as well as two 10 day retreats. I did periods of meditation at home where I meditated every day. I also keep the 5 precepts But I don't see my practice advancing. Maybe it's because I don't do a constant practice and sometimes I stop and don't meditate for a month or two. But I can't be sure that if I decided to meditate constantly that I won't stop in two or three weeks so it also makes me not want to try. Now because I don't see results or at least not strong ones--and I'm aware that results can be less anger, etc--I'm very skeptical of the practice. I don't have motivation to practice. When I thought I am advancing than I was ready for a long road but I'm not sure I'm advancing. I still procrastinate the same as I did before, which is a big problem for me. The most important thing is that I don't see that I am more mindful in daily life than when i started! I don't notice more things. I don't label more things. I usually don't label a single thing all day and not only not label but not notice them as well. **EDIT** : still would like to get answers - just saying that for now i started trying tthe idea of "tiny habits" of doing AT LEAST 5 minute walking than 5 minute sitting meditation after i wake up and after i eat - if i feel like more than i will do more i did try 5 minute meditation in the past - but i didnt try to attach it to an existing habit - adn i raised the time very fast and i got disapointed when i didnt do the full meditation so i gave up on the 5 minute meditation - so this time i hope i will keep the 5 minute as the basic got inspired by this video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdKUJxjn-R8

Is there awareness of impermanence during the formless meditations ?

Is there any teaching of the Buddha one can say has been proven wrong, any statement about the universe, the world, the future or the past maybe?

I'm trying to adhere to buddhist principles in my life wherever I can. I understand that it's really the best approach in just about every situation you can find yourself in. However, right now I'm owed a not insubstantial amount of money from one of my clients who is refusing to take my phone calls, or answer emails to discuss the matter. Honestly, it burns me up inside and when I think about having to deal with it I feel angry and resentful which I know is not a good way to live. From my understanding I should really just let go of the matter completely, and calmly wait for the universe to resolve this for me, one way or another. If I receive the money, then all is well, and if I don't receive the money, all is still well. From a Buddhist perspective, at what point should I give up and move on?

I just can't manage to maintain a regular practice, not even a short one. From a buddhist point of view, what can be done? I went on retreats, I sat a few days in a row at home doing meditation, I tried to do small meditations, but I just can't sustain a practice.