Buddhism
Q&A for people practicing or interested in Buddhist philosophy, teaching, and practice
Latest Questions
7
votes
4
answers
3132
views
Can a lay person become an Arahant according to the Suttas?
I have already seen different answers to that question, but I don't know which one is based on the suttas. I would appreciate the source of the answer for this specific topic. If you think the answer is "No", could you please write about how far a lay person can get? Just a higher rebirth?
I have already seen different answers to that question, but I don't know which one is based on the suttas. I would appreciate the source of the answer for this specific topic.
If you think the answer is "No", could you please write about how far a lay person can get? Just a higher rebirth?
konrad01
(9895 rep)
Jul 22, 2014, 12:37 PM
• Last activity: Jun 6, 2015, 09:54 AM
7
votes
2
answers
421
views
Are there any references in the Pali canon to the experience of death?
Are there any references in the Pali canon to the experience of death and what one can expect? I looked for a similar question and couldn't find one, so apologies if this is redundant.
Are there any references in the Pali canon to the experience of death and what one can expect? I looked for a similar question and couldn't find one, so apologies if this is redundant.
Ryan
(816 rep)
Jun 2, 2015, 11:28 PM
• Last activity: Jun 6, 2015, 09:12 AM
4
votes
3
answers
365
views
In Mahayana Buddhism, what is the relation between nirvana and phenomenon?
I have seen nirvana described as the unborn, unconditioned, etc, but then how is it possible to experience nirvana if the experiencer is a conditioned phenomena? I feel as though there is a causal connection implied by that, which would make nirvana dependently originated and subject to permanence.
I have seen nirvana described as the unborn, unconditioned, etc, but then how is it possible to experience nirvana if the experiencer is a conditioned phenomena? I feel as though there is a causal connection implied by that, which would make nirvana dependently originated and subject to permanence.
J M
(506 rep)
Jun 5, 2015, 05:10 PM
• Last activity: Jun 5, 2015, 09:54 PM
15
votes
2
answers
1957
views
What is the difference between craving and clinging?
Considering the 12 nidanas 1. Ignorance 2. Mental Volitions 3. Consciousness 4. "Name" and "Form" 5. The six senses 6. Contact 7. Feelings 8. Craving 9. Clinging 10. Becoming 11. Birth 12. Suffering and Death What is the difference between craving and clinging? They seem very similar to me. It would...
Considering the 12 nidanas
1. Ignorance
2. Mental Volitions
3. Consciousness
4. "Name" and "Form"
5. The six senses
6. Contact
7. Feelings
8. Craving
9. Clinging
10. Becoming
11. Birth
12. Suffering and Death
What is the difference between craving and clinging? They seem very similar to me. It would be helpful if someone could reference the original Pali and draw out the nuances of these terms.
Many Thanks
Crab Bucket
(21199 rep)
Jun 4, 2015, 08:39 AM
• Last activity: Jun 5, 2015, 08:05 PM
1
votes
2
answers
185
views
What puts out the mind
Suppose we call "extinction" (by which I mean nirvana or final nirvana) whatever puts out the wandering mind / mental states. What reasons are there for supposing it does so **after** the mind wanders, not before or during? I suppose (as no sort of authority) saying it does so inside the mind is ete...
Suppose we call "extinction" (by which I mean nirvana or final nirvana) whatever puts out the wandering mind / mental states.
What reasons are there for supposing it does so **after** the mind wanders, not before or during?
I suppose (as no sort of authority) saying it does so inside the mind is eternalism, or before - annihilationism. But I'm interested in the question not as a facet of Buddhist doctrine: but the question of whether we "die" in the sense the atheist attaches to death.
user2512
Jun 4, 2015, 03:59 AM
• Last activity: Jun 4, 2015, 07:57 PM
5
votes
1
answers
444
views
How was Chögyam Trungpa's behaviour justified by his lineage?
As well as being a preeminent teacher of Tibetan Buddhist, Chögyam Trungpa was notorious for his more extreme behaviour such as drinking, smoking, sleeping with students, crashing cars and so forth. While this seems unusual behaviour for an advanced Buddhist practioner I was told that senior fi...
As well as being a preeminent teacher of Tibetan Buddhist, Chögyam Trungpa was notorious for his more extreme behaviour such as drinking, smoking, sleeping with students, crashing cars and so forth. While this seems unusual behaviour for an advanced Buddhist practioner I was told that senior figures in his lineage (Kagyu and Nyingma ) and were very comfortable with his actions.
So how were his more controversial actions justified by others within his lineage? Is there a tradition within Tibetan Buddhism which encompasses seemingly unethical behaviour? Was there any precedence within his lineage for this kind of thing or was he just a very unusual character?
Crab Bucket
(21199 rep)
Jun 4, 2015, 02:39 PM
• Last activity: Jun 4, 2015, 05:13 PM
8
votes
1
answers
1495
views
What is the difference between 'hard' and 'soft' Jhanas?
I have on a few occasions come across the distinction between a 'hard' and 'soft' Jhana and would like to know what the experiential distinction between these two terms might be.
I have on a few occasions come across the distinction between a 'hard' and 'soft' Jhana and would like to know what the experiential distinction between these two terms might be.
Devindra
(1830 rep)
Jun 4, 2015, 09:49 AM
• Last activity: Jun 4, 2015, 10:25 AM
18
votes
11
answers
2932
views
Is a belief in rebirth a necessity for Buddhist practice?
Can someone be a wholehearted Buddhist practitioner if they entirely reject rebirth? Or is anyone that follows the Buddhist path while not subscribing to rebirth only getting half the story? Or is the non-rebirth believer deluding themselves if they follow the Dharma under that circumstance? Is the...
Can someone be a wholehearted Buddhist practitioner if they entirely reject rebirth? Or is anyone that follows the Buddhist path while not subscribing to rebirth only getting half the story? Or is the non-rebirth believer deluding themselves if they follow the Dharma under that circumstance?
Is the principle of rebirth lacking emphasis in some traditions perhaps? Or is it perhaps something that was culturally prevalent at the time of the Buddha but now can be safely disregarded? Or is it central to the enlightenment experience? Certainly the Buddha reports seeing clearly all his past lives on the occasion of his enlightenment.
So in short is a belief in rebirth a necessity for Buddhist practice?
Crab Bucket
(21199 rep)
Jun 26, 2014, 01:39 PM
• Last activity: Jun 4, 2015, 08:20 AM
4
votes
1
answers
253
views
What is a "sutta statement" or "sutta action"?
In [this answer](https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/a/4059/254) yuttadhammo wrote, > If you want an *abhidhamma* answer, you have to speak in *abhidhamma* terms. "Wishing for pain to go away" is a *sutta* statement. It involves a wisher, and describes a *sutta* action. I think it might mean 'thread'...
In [this answer](https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/a/4059/254) yuttadhammo wrote,
> If you want an *abhidhamma* answer, you have to speak in *abhidhamma* terms. "Wishing for pain to go away" is a *sutta* statement. It involves a wisher, and describes a *sutta* action.
I think it might mean 'thread' ... or possibly 'sleep' ... or a type of description of reality that's found in the suttas, as opposed to the description of reality found in the Abhidhamma?
If you answer please assume that I have looked at the abhidhamma but never read it.
ChrisW
(48745 rep)
Jun 3, 2015, 12:53 PM
• Last activity: Jun 3, 2015, 01:43 PM
6
votes
2
answers
686
views
Noting craving for food : Ven. Mahasi Saydaw tradition
Practice : Ven.Mahasi Sayadaw ---------- I mostly practice "daily life" meditation and I found this specific question very important ( I have got some illnesses due to this too) I get intention to eat when I see "sweets" even I'm not hungry . Also eat more if it is a food I really "like" . So I use...
Practice : Ven.Mahasi Sayadaw
----------
I mostly practice "daily life" meditation and I found this specific question very important ( I have got some illnesses due to this too)
I get intention to eat when I see "sweets" even I'm not hungry . Also eat more if it is a food I really "like" .
So I use mental notes "Craving , Craving " and "liking , liking " respectively .
Sometimes it passes away . But mostly it moves to " intending , intending " and then "eating" steps.
"Suppressing" works temporally but I know this is not the purpose of meditation.
I always try my best to follow below instructions,
- When you look at the food, looking, seeing.
- When you arrange the food, arranging.
- When you bring the food to the mouth, bringing.
- When you bend the neck forwards, bending.
- When the food touches the mouth, touching.
- When placing the food in the mouth, placing.
- When the mouth closes, closing.
- When withdrawing the hand, withdrawing.
- Should the hand touch the plate, touching.
- When straightening the neck, straightening.
- When in the act of chewing, chewing.
**- When you are aware of the taste, knowing.**
- When swallowing the food, swallowing.
- While swallowing the food, should the food be felt touching the sides of the gullet, touching.
*And I found "- When you are aware of the taste, knowing" is extremely momentary compare to other steps (relatively longer when having a beverage like coffee or soft drink) . Sometimes I miss that step completely .*
**How should I handle "intention"(cetanaha) of eating without "suppressing"?**
nish1013
(1217 rep)
Jun 2, 2015, 09:52 AM
• Last activity: Jun 2, 2015, 10:00 PM
6
votes
6
answers
1711
views
How are Buddhist Sacred Texts used in practice and historically, given the questioned authenticity of some of them
I'm curious on how Buddhist Sacred Texts are used in teachings and in practice. The Buddha often says not to solely follow transmitted tradition, instead Buddhists are "exhorted to know for themselves." (Pg 2-3, of [Scriptural Authority: A Buddhist Perspective](http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/buddhist-...
I'm curious on how Buddhist Sacred Texts are used in teachings and in practice.
The Buddha often says not to solely follow transmitted tradition, instead Buddhists are "exhorted to know for themselves."
(Pg 2-3, of [Scriptural Authority: A Buddhist Perspective](http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/buddhist-christian_studies/v030/30.zhiru.pdf) by Shi Zhiru).
However, some sutras give sacred texts a much stronger authority (Pg 4).
Given that some sacred texts are not evidently authentic, some of which are written hundreds or even thousands of years after the Buddha's passing, what authority do practicing monks and the Sangha give to the sacred texts? How are these texts used? Are they used merely as a guidebook or as intensely analyzed, as say, the Christian Bible?
I appreciate any answers with any sources if used! Thanks
Alexander
(161 rep)
May 28, 2015, 06:26 AM
• Last activity: Jun 1, 2015, 10:46 PM
7
votes
3
answers
412
views
What is the benefit of staying with one method, lineage or Dharma tradition?
I've been thinking around this recently ... we are privileged as a generation to have access to so much information - contemplative methods, traditions, teachers, books etc. How does this inform our Dharma - finding and sticking to one method, tradition, lineage or ... studying and practicing many i...
I've been thinking around this recently ... we are privileged as a generation to have access to so much information - contemplative methods, traditions, teachers, books etc. How does this inform our Dharma - finding and sticking to one method, tradition, lineage or ... studying and practicing many in a more eclectic way?
Devindra
(1830 rep)
Jun 1, 2015, 03:18 PM
• Last activity: Jun 1, 2015, 10:20 PM
4
votes
3
answers
792
views
Does your lay Buddhist name follow you for life or does it change with different temples and masters?
When you are laity and given a Buddhist name does it change with different masters and temples or do you carry it with you for life? While mostly pertaining to the Vietnamese tradition I'm very curious about all. Thank you.
When you are laity and given a Buddhist name does it change with different masters and temples or do you carry it with you for life? While mostly pertaining to the Vietnamese tradition I'm very curious about all. Thank you.
Brian
(368 rep)
May 25, 2015, 02:06 AM
• Last activity: Jun 1, 2015, 02:29 PM
4
votes
6
answers
509
views
Can meditation strengthen the sense of self?
When I practice mindfulness meditation I can sometimes become acutely aware of my sense of self. It seems to go from a dull background awareness of self to a feeling that the sense of self is very pervasive and almost invasive into all aspects of experience. Naively I would expect that meditation wo...
When I practice mindfulness meditation I can sometimes become acutely aware of my sense of self. It seems to go from a dull background awareness of self to a feeling that the sense of self is very pervasive and almost invasive into all aspects of experience. Naively I would expect that meditation would have the opposite affect and weaken the sense of self. In fairness sometimes it does but sometimes it appears to have this opposite effect.
Is that a documented result of meditation. Is there advice out there from established teachers (of any schools) about working with this? Is it just me? Has anyone got advice based on their own experience?
Crab Bucket
(21199 rep)
May 26, 2015, 09:12 PM
• Last activity: May 31, 2015, 03:05 PM
2
votes
3
answers
1522
views
Is it wrong to buy a Buddha statue in Thailand from a Buddhist point of view?
I understand in Thailand they can confiscate Buddha statues in the customs unless you have a special permit that takes days to be processed and a lot of paperwork. It is clear that from a "wordly point of view" it is not a good idea to buy and take it away without permission but from a Buddhist poin...
I understand in Thailand they can confiscate Buddha statues in the customs unless you have a special permit that takes days to be processed and a lot of paperwork.
It is clear that from a "wordly point of view" it is not a good idea to buy and take it away without permission but from a Buddhist point of view: Is there anything wrong with it? Of course I'm talking about a person that will use the statue to worship and will not treat it with disrespect. (Not an antique of course, just a regular statue)
konrad01
(9895 rep)
Mar 29, 2015, 03:21 PM
• Last activity: May 30, 2015, 06:42 PM
3
votes
2
answers
353
views
When should one ask a question of someone other than themselves?
Is it just that we share our knowledge with others and then they interpret it as per their own individuality and spot benefit? Do Buddhas ask questions of other humans as well?
Is it just that we share our knowledge with others and then they interpret it as per their own individuality and spot benefit?
Do Buddhas ask questions of other humans as well?
jitin
(1512 rep)
May 30, 2015, 05:59 AM
• Last activity: May 30, 2015, 03:56 PM
12
votes
5
answers
662
views
How can I know that I am clear of thoughts while I am meditating?
While meditating, one might try to be aware of their surroundings, to be present in the moment. But how can we become aware of it without *thinking* that we are aware? Another example is when one can *listen* to sounds or silence, and even if one is not trying to put *stories* behind the sounds, one...
While meditating, one might try to be aware of their surroundings, to be present in the moment. But how can we become aware of it without *thinking* that we are aware?
Another example is when one can *listen* to sounds or silence, and even if one is not trying to put *stories* behind the sounds, one might find oneself *thinking* about the wave of the sound, or its variations, its length, etc.
raukodraug
(223 rep)
Jun 19, 2014, 02:32 PM
• Last activity: May 30, 2015, 03:52 PM
8
votes
3
answers
1150
views
What is the purpose of using a wand to hit a monk in Zen meditation?
I have seen Zen monks in meditation, usually with one monk supervising. The monk supervising usually carries a wand of some sort. Every once in a while he would rest the wand on the shoulder of one of the monks and then respectfully hit his shoulder. It did not seem very forceful yet I found this co...
I have seen Zen monks in meditation, usually with one monk supervising. The monk supervising usually carries a wand of some sort. Every once in a while he would rest the wand on the shoulder of one of the monks and then respectfully hit his shoulder. It did not seem very forceful yet I found this confusing because to me it seemed as if it may be a method of harm or violence. I would like clarification on this practie.
Why does the supervising monk do this to the meditating monks?
Patrick Sebastien
(626 rep)
Jun 18, 2014, 12:10 PM
• Last activity: May 30, 2015, 03:51 PM
7
votes
3
answers
868
views
Sense of calmness in meditation, what is it?
In a first 10 day vipassana meditation course I did almost continuous intensive meditation for 7 days ,I felt a strange calmness such that I could almost not feel the weight of my body , this feeling lasted till 2-3 days and then I stopped doing it, So what is that feeling called and is it common af...
In a first 10 day vipassana meditation course I did almost continuous intensive meditation for 7 days ,I felt a strange calmness such that I could almost not feel the weight of my body , this feeling lasted till 2-3 days and then I stopped doing it, So what is that feeling called and is it common after meditation? Also after I resumed the meditation then I could not get back the same feeling (nor was I seeking for it).
Bodhi
(326 rep)
Jul 1, 2014, 08:49 AM
• Last activity: May 30, 2015, 03:51 PM
5
votes
2
answers
201
views
Is there some scripture reference to dream yoga?
By dream yoga I mean the practices intended to attain lucid dreaming, and then using that ability to realize that the world as we know does not exists as perceived (as in a dream) so one can reach the fully awake condition.
By dream yoga I mean the practices intended to attain lucid dreaming, and then using that ability to realize that the world as we know does not exists as perceived (as in a dream) so one can reach the fully awake condition.
Abdul
(285 rep)
Jul 2, 2014, 11:31 PM
• Last activity: May 30, 2015, 03:50 PM
Showing page 420 of 20 total questions