Buddhism
Q&A for people practicing or interested in Buddhist philosophy, teaching, and practice
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Are there any Buddhist sects/subsects that believe Vedas have divine message but got misinterpreted so Buddha came?
I am a Hindu and I believe that Vishnu incarnated as Buddha in beginning period of Kaliyug and purpose of his incarnation was to avoid sufferings caused in society by misinterpretation of vedas. So,he rejected vedas. > [Mahabharat shanti parva Chapter 348][1] > > Then at the beginning of Kali Yuga h...
I am a Hindu and I believe that Vishnu incarnated as Buddha in beginning period of Kaliyug and purpose of his incarnation was to avoid sufferings caused in society by misinterpretation of vedas. So,he rejected vedas.
> Mahabharat shanti parva Chapter 348
>
> Then at the beginning of Kali Yuga he took refuge in the tree of the
> king of brahmins He lived in **the house of the king of righteousness
> in fear of Magadha He was dressed in brown clothes, shaved and had
> white teeth. I, the Buddha, the son of Shuddhodana, shall bewitch men.
> The Sudras are enjoyed among the pure when I have attained Buddhahood.
> All men will be enlightened and covered with saffron.**
At times of Mahabharat ,Krishna told that Dwarka will drown and he will return as Buddha in Kaliyug.
***What I want to ask :Are there any Buddhist sects or subsects that believe that Hindu scriptures particularly the Vedas were true in original form and got interpolated .So,they need to follow new message and reject Vedas so they require change to Buddhism or Vedas were divinely inspired but got misinterpreted /interpolated or lost original form or any similar belief of divine revelation in Vedas .***
user29216
Apr 2, 2025, 11:36 PM
• Last activity: May 5, 2026, 03:12 AM
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Are these 23 a copy of the Tibetan Perfection of Knowledge Collection?
I am new to Tibetan but am interested in the Tibetan script versions of the texts. Not knowing much Tibetan script yet, I am not totally sure I am looking at the right thing and so wanted to clarify to see if these 23 items are the Perfection of Knowledge collection. The list of titles in Tibetan sc...
I am new to Tibetan but am interested in the Tibetan script versions of the texts. Not knowing much Tibetan script yet, I am not totally sure I am looking at the right thing and so wanted to clarify to see if these 23 items are the Perfection of Knowledge collection.
The list of titles in Tibetan script I have found [here](http://read.84000.co/section/O1JC114941JC14665.html) . The first two or three I have found (I think) the corresponding Tibetan script text [here](https://github.com/7-rabbit/riff-text/tree/master/content/kangyur) (འབུམ། and ཉི་ཁྲི།, basically). In [that](https://github.com/7-rabbit/riff-text/tree/master/content/kangyur) collection, does it contain all 23 of these texts? If so, where would I find them? If not, do they exist elsewhere online in Tibetan etexts?
If it's too complicated, primarily I'm interested if this collection has the 8000 line one, such as [here](https://github.com/7-rabbit/riff-text/tree/master/content/kangyur/%E0%BC%A0%E0%BC%A7%20%20%E0%BD%A4%E0%BD%BA%E0%BD%A2%E0%BC%8B%E0%BD%95%E0%BE%B1%E0%BD%B2%E0%BD%93%E0%BC%8B%E0%BD%A6%E0%BE%A3%E0%BC%8B%E0%BD%9A%E0%BD%BC%E0%BD%82%E0%BD%A6%E0%BC%8D) ?
Lance Pollard
(790 rep)
Oct 26, 2019, 07:17 AM
• Last activity: May 1, 2026, 09:07 AM
2
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1
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Artwork and a Buddhist Interaction
Years ago I came across a Sanskrit term that described the exchange or interaction of a buddhist and art. I am desperate to remember that term. It described engaging with art work in the present moment as though the piece was alive in you and you were alive in the piece. The term defined a mutual ex...
Years ago I came across a Sanskrit term that described the exchange or interaction of a buddhist and art. I am desperate to remember that term. It described engaging with art work in the present moment as though the piece was alive in you and you were alive in the piece. The term defined a mutual exchange of presence. Can anyone help me with recalling this term?
Nicole Dash
(21 rep)
Nov 14, 2025, 12:31 PM
• Last activity: Apr 30, 2026, 07:42 AM
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Help.. What would Buddha say to do in this custody situation?
I have been trying to get myself into a non reactionary state and all my instincts seem to tell me to do the opposite of what Buddha would have taught. My ex is withholding visitation from me but we have a joint custody agreement in place. He won't answer my texts, won't let my daughter call, has pu...
I have been trying to get myself into a non reactionary state and all my instincts seem to tell me to do the opposite of what Buddha would have taught. My ex is withholding visitation from me but we have a joint custody agreement in place. He won't answer my texts, won't let my daughter call, has pulled her out of school and keeps her locked up in the house like a prisoner. I am very concerned about her well being, she has been depressed at his house and had been requesting to move back in with me before all of this started. I could go to court and file an enforcement motion along with relief in the form of legal fees, and jail time for him. While this feels reactionary is it? Would I be doing harm if I stand up for my daughter? I don't want a fight and I don't want to see anyone hurt further.
Manda Rom
(11 rep)
Apr 14, 2026, 01:26 AM
• Last activity: Apr 14, 2026, 05:49 PM
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Can the Buddha ever be a woman?
Is it true that the Buddha will never be a woman? If so, why is this? To be specific, I am particularly asking whether or not the Buddha itself can be female. I am *not* asking whether a woman can become a Buddha in her future life.
Is it true that the Buddha will never be a woman? If so, why is this?
To be specific, I am particularly asking whether or not the Buddha itself can be female. I am *not* asking whether a woman can become a Buddha in her future life.
Jordy van Ekelen
(1929 rep)
Sep 8, 2014, 11:02 AM
• Last activity: Feb 15, 2026, 03:36 AM
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Did the Buddha really allow raw meat and raw blood for a monk possessed by a spirit?
In [Kd 6][1], We come across the following:- > On one occasion a monk was possessed by a spirit. His teacher and > preceptor who were nursing him were not able to cure him. He then went > to a pigs’ slaughterhouse to eat raw meat and drink blood. As a > result, he became well. They told the Buddha....
In Kd 6 , We come across the following:-
> On one occasion a monk was possessed by a spirit. His teacher and
> preceptor who were nursing him were not able to cure him. He then went
> to a pigs’ slaughterhouse to eat raw meat and drink blood. As a
> result, he became well. They told the Buddha.
>
> “For one who is possessed, I allow raw meat and raw blood.”
I had never heard of this before. I only encountered it because a polemical blog quoted it in an attempt to criticize Buddhist scripture by highlighting passages that seem negative or problematic when taken at face value. Since their intent of quoting the above was obviously hostile I’d like to understand the background of these from those familiar with the Vinaya:-
My questions are:
1. Is the translation accurate?
Does the Pali genuinely say that the Buddha allowed raw meat and raw blood in such circumstances?
2. Is this passage considered authentic and canonical within mainstream Theravāda?
3. If both of the above are true, How is this interpreted by traditional Buddhists today?
Is it taken literally, regarded as a narrowly defined medicinal or exceptional allowance, or understood in some other way?
And if it is accepted, how is it justified within Buddhist ethics and discipline?
user31982
Nov 27, 2025, 01:03 PM
• Last activity: Jan 16, 2026, 01:48 PM
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6
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Why does the Buddha promote the Middle Way for other positions, but does not apply it for his own?
So I've been thinking about how in scripture, Buddha often refers to certain views as the "extremes". A famous example is the eternalists (eternal soul and afterlife) vs the annihilationists (no soul, no afterlife, pure materialists). The Buddha taught both of these as the two extremes and promotes...
So I've been thinking about how in scripture, Buddha often refers to certain views as the "extremes". A famous example is the eternalists (eternal soul and afterlife) vs the annihilationists (no soul, no afterlife, pure materialists). The Buddha taught both of these as the two extremes and promotes a Middle Way.
But is Buddha's own approach not a form of extermism?
Consider the following: one extreme that I will call eliminationists (suffering is intrinsically bad and is to be completely eradicated - this is Buddha) vs masochists (suffering is to be sought out and maximized as much as humanly possible).
The Middle Way here would be "We do not like suffering (though that does not make it bad or evil by itself), but it has important functions and is in some ways, simply inevitable as long as one is actively "alive" in any conceivable way, so we should seek to reasonably reduce unnecessary suffering as judged by us, but re-orienting the entire society for the sole goal of eliminating suffering can lead to other negatives and extreme behaviour".
Why should we eliminate rather than lessen suffering? Isn't that one extreme (other being actively seeking out as much suffering as possible)? I can list many ways in which obsession with harm reduction can lead to a highly dysfunctional society and worsen conditions of many people.
So why does the Buddha actively promote the Middle Way for other positions, but does not apply it for his own?
setszu
(344 rep)
Aug 1, 2024, 11:29 PM
• Last activity: Jan 14, 2026, 02:41 AM
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contemplating this body as a sack of grains in a linen bag as in DN 22
I came across this contemplation in [DN 22](https://suttacentral.net/dn22/en/sujato#5.3): > It’s as if there were a bag with openings at both ends, filled with various kinds of grains, such as fine rice, wheat, mung beans, peas, sesame, and ordinary rice. And a person with clear eyes were to open it...
I came across this contemplation in [DN 22](https://suttacentral.net/dn22/en/sujato#5.3) :
> It’s as if there were a bag with openings at both ends, filled with various kinds of grains, such as fine rice, wheat, mung beans, peas, sesame, and ordinary rice. And a person with clear eyes were to open it and examine the contents: ‘These grains are fine rice, these are wheat, these are mung beans, these are peas, these are sesame, and these are ordinary rice.'
>
> And so they meditate observing an aspect of the body internally …
What kind of wholesome qualities on the 8-fold noble path does contemplating the bodies of people like sacks of different grains of rice and wheat inspire?
Like sinews, muscle tissue, synovial fluid, neural tissue, skeleton.
Contemplating this rotten body as a sack of grains in a linen bag, just like one the Buddha would have seen being carried around when he was a child 3000 years ago in India?
Picture this, young Buddha seeing someone on the street by his palace, carrying a sack of rice for cooking a meal for him, and seeing the cooks in the kitchen? Thanks.
sukhi hontu
Noel Lundström
(123 rep)
Jan 7, 2026, 11:18 PM
• Last activity: Jan 12, 2026, 05:51 AM
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Why is Vajrayana accepted as a valid school in Buddhism?
One of my main problems with Indian religions has always been cult-like and occult-like practices that is present in it, especially Hinduism. I thought Buddhism, given what Buddha taught, would be immune to it but it doesn't seem so. Vajrayana consists of weird mantra chantings, doing of taboo stuff...
One of my main problems with Indian religions has always been cult-like and occult-like practices that is present in it, especially Hinduism. I thought Buddhism, given what Buddha taught, would be immune to it but it doesn't seem so.
Vajrayana consists of weird mantra chantings, doing of taboo stuff like alcohol and sexual orgies. Many Buddhists online seem to say "Oh no no, it is not just about sex. Westerners are misinterpreting it!" but sex DOES seem to be a huge part of tantra and therefore Vajrayana. Whereas Buddhism teaches self-restraint, Vajrayana teaches doing sexual orgies and chanting mantras and remembering aweful looking deities while doing it. The practices are esoteric and has to be done under the guidance of a guru. This is seriously cult 101. You can study anthropology and religious studies, almost every single cult revolves around these kind of practices. A lot of abuse happen under these things - there are gurus who pretend that the illicit sex they are having with disciples or consorts or children are not bad but part of the 'path to enlightenment' and in the process simply use their influence to get sex and rape/groom people.
One of the reasons despite being born in a Hindu family I distanced myself from Hinduism was the, what Abrahamic religions would call, 'demonic' practices - strange rituals, gods who are immoral and make people do immoral things, leads to insanity, frauds and immorality, esotericism, etc. Abrahamics already have a very negative view of Hinduism and Buddhism, and things like tantra and Vajrayana are definitely not helping. Why is such a school of practice allowed in Buddhism?
Suradoe Uchiha
(269 rep)
Jul 1, 2024, 06:02 PM
• Last activity: Jan 3, 2026, 07:13 AM
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What is the opinion of Buddhism on the caste system and untouchability of Hinduism?
The Varnashrama dharma (caste system) is the backbone of Brahminism (Hinduism), untouchability is a part of that social order. We all know that Gautama Buddha was against Varnashrama dharma, and rejected the Vedic religion. But unfortunately, we see caste system and untouchability in many 'Buddhist'...
The Varnashrama dharma (caste system) is the backbone of Brahminism (Hinduism), untouchability is a part of that social order. We all know that Gautama Buddha was against Varnashrama dharma, and rejected the Vedic religion. But unfortunately, we see caste system and untouchability in many 'Buddhist' countries. For example, the Burakumin/Eta in Japan, Baekjeong in Korea, Ragyabpa in Tibet, etc. As we know as Buddhists that the Buddha was no hindu, then why this system is also in the societies of Buddhist countries?
Supravat
(21 rep)
Jul 21, 2018, 07:59 PM
• Last activity: Jan 1, 2026, 12:09 PM
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How should Nāgārjuna’s doctrine be understood in relation to the Buddha’s early teachings on dependent origination and non-self?
Nāgārjuna is often presented as systematizing or radicalizing insights already present in the Buddha’s early teachings, particularly pratītyasamutpāda and anattā.At the same time, his use of dialectical negation appears to go beyond anything explicitly stated in the early Nikāyas/Āgamas. In the earl...
Nāgārjuna is often presented as systematizing or radicalizing insights already present in the Buddha’s early teachings, particularly pratītyasamutpāda and anattā.At the same time, his use of dialectical negation appears to go beyond anything explicitly stated in the early Nikāyas/Āgamas.
In the early texts, dependent origination functions primarily as a causal and soteriological teaching aimed at the cessation of suffering, while ontological questions are frequently bracketed or treated pragmatically. Nāgārjuna, by contrast, seems to universalize dependent origination into a comprehensive critique of svabhāva (intrinsic existence), applying it not only to persons but to dharmas themselves.
----------
This raises several interpretive questions:-
- To what extent can Nāgārjuna’s claim that “whatever is dependently arisen is empty” be grounded directly in the Buddha’s early teachings, rather than representing a later philosophical development responding to Abhidharma realism?
- Does Nāgārjuna preserve the Buddha’s pragmatic and liberative intent, or does his systematic negation risk reifying emptiness into a metaphysical position precisely what the Buddha sought to avoid?
- Is Nāgārjuna’s use of reductio arguments best understood as a philosophical method absent from the early canon, or can it be seen as a formalization of the Buddha’s dialogical strategies (e.g., the Kaccānagotta Sutta’s rejection of existence and non-existence)?
EchoOfEmptiness
(385 rep)
Dec 29, 2025, 05:38 PM
• Last activity: Dec 30, 2025, 03:30 PM
2
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3
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Origin of craving and attachment
Does the Buddha explain anywhere why the mind is capable to be unskillful and cause suffering for itself in the first place? Specifically, why do we become attached, and why do we crave things? Does the Buddha ever acknowledge that these mechanisms can be helpful? Does he ever describe our ability t...
Does the Buddha explain anywhere why the mind is capable to be unskillful and cause suffering for itself in the first place?
Specifically, why do we become attached, and why do we crave things?
Does the Buddha ever acknowledge that these mechanisms can be helpful?
Does he ever describe our ability to become attached or to crave things as mere design errors?
Or are these things just left unjudged and taken as axiomatic starting points, without ever trying to describe their origin or their larger place in the world?
reign
(551 rep)
Sep 24, 2025, 06:46 PM
• Last activity: Sep 26, 2025, 03:12 PM
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What is the most important thing or idea about Buddhism?
What is the most important thing or idea about Buddhism? "The Buddha dealt with that which is most important", compared to the other spiritual traditions, according Rupert Sheldrake. So, what is most important in Buddhism?
What is the most important thing or idea about Buddhism?
"The Buddha dealt with that which is most important", compared to the other spiritual traditions, according Rupert Sheldrake.
So, what is most important in Buddhism?
Brendan Darrer
(279 rep)
Sep 3, 2025, 10:11 AM
• Last activity: Sep 4, 2025, 09:09 PM
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Does the Buddha ever advise us to meditate for it's temporary benefits?
Does the Buddha ever instruct us to meditate for the sake of meditation's immediate and temporary benefits? If we see meditation as a car for gaining insights and understanding, but also as a tool for improving our focus or mood or (non)reactivity - does the Buddha ever explicitly urge us to meditat...
Does the Buddha ever instruct us to meditate for the sake of meditation's immediate and temporary benefits?
If we see meditation as a car for gaining insights and understanding, but also as a tool for improving our focus or mood or (non)reactivity - does the Buddha ever explicitly urge us to meditate for the latter effects?
reign
(551 rep)
Aug 9, 2025, 09:30 AM
• Last activity: Aug 9, 2025, 01:39 PM
4
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2
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What is the exact number of jataka tales?
What is the exact number of original jataka tales? If we look around we see Jataka tales, panchatantra, Esop's fables and many others are all mixed up. Where can I read original Jataka tales online?
What is the exact number of original jataka tales? If we look around we see Jataka tales, panchatantra, Esop's fables and many others are all mixed up. Where can I read original Jataka tales online?
gaj
(885 rep)
Aug 21, 2014, 08:31 AM
• Last activity: Aug 2, 2025, 03:59 PM
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Did Mahamaya, the Buddha's birth mother, reach parinirvana after receiving teachings from the Buddha in the God Realm of the thirty-three. >
Mahamaya is the birth mother of Siddhartha. After her death, after giving birth, she is said to have gone to the God Realm of the 33 where later she received teachings from the Buddha. She is also said to have grieved his parinirvana in a sutra I cannot find and visited him on earth at that time. Di...
Mahamaya is the birth mother of Siddhartha. After her death, after giving birth, she is said to have gone to the God Realm of the 33 where later she received teachings from the Buddha. She is also said to have grieved his parinirvana in a sutra I cannot find and visited him on earth at that time. Did she become an Arhat or attain other realizations after receiving teahings as was the case with other disciples of the Buddha?
Tracy Morgan
(11 rep)
Jul 20, 2025, 04:43 AM
• Last activity: Jul 23, 2025, 03:42 PM
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5
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What are the suttas in which the Buddha provides instruction on how to meditate?
What are the actual suttas in which the Buddha described how to meditate? A list of all such suttas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
What are the actual suttas in which the Buddha described how to meditate? A list of all such suttas would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Ian
(2661 rep)
Jan 4, 2016, 10:52 PM
• Last activity: Jun 22, 2025, 07:28 PM
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2
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Mighty Earthquake in Buddhism
Ānanda, the earth rests on water, the water rests on air, and the air rests on space. When a great wind blows, the water is stirred, which in turn causes the earth to shake—resulting in an earthquake **Is that scientifically accurate regarding how the Earth is *structured*? And *cause* for earthquak...
Ānanda, the earth rests on water, the water rests on air, and the air rests on space. When a great wind blows, the water is stirred, which in turn causes the earth to shake—resulting in an earthquake
**Is that scientifically accurate regarding how the Earth is *structured*? And *cause* for earthquake**
Alistaire
(374 rep)
Jun 19, 2025, 06:10 AM
• Last activity: Jun 20, 2025, 03:03 AM
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4
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Gautama Buddha and Hindu divinities
Am I right that Gauthama Budda did not teach to worship the Hindu Gods? Did he teach not to worship them? Maybe my questions sound stupid to a Buddhist but I am practising Islam and do not know very much about Buddhism. Peace be with you, and thank you for you help.
Am I right that Gauthama Budda did not teach to worship the Hindu Gods?
Did he teach not to worship them?
Maybe my questions sound stupid to a Buddhist but I am practising Islam and do not know very much about Buddhism.
Peace be with you, and thank you for you help.
Jeschu
(215 rep)
Oct 12, 2020, 07:18 PM
• Last activity: Jun 17, 2025, 08:43 AM
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Did Siddhartha Gautama or any of his close family members engage in deity worship prior to his renunciate life?
I’m interested in understanding the religious and devotional practices that may have been part of Siddhartha Gautama's life before he undertook his renunciate life and became the Buddha. Specifically: Are there any historical or textual references indicating that Siddhartha Gautama himself, or membe...
I’m interested in understanding the religious and devotional practices that may have been part of Siddhartha Gautama's life before he undertook his renunciate life and became the Buddha. Specifically:
Are there any historical or textual references indicating that Siddhartha Gautama himself, or members of his immediate family (such as his father Suddhodana, mother Māyā etc), participated in worship of deities or followed any theistic religious practices prior to his renunciation?
If so, which deities were venerated, and are there any specific suttas, commentaries, or canonical sources that mention this?
Additionally, was deity worship a common practice within the socio-religious environment of Kapilavastu at that time?
I’m looking for references from early Buddhist texts (Pāli Canon, Āgamas, or later commentarial traditions if relevant) or scholarly interpretations that shed light on this aspect.
Invictus
(63 rep)
Jun 4, 2025, 06:48 AM
• Last activity: Jun 9, 2025, 03:57 AM
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