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1500 questions
73
votes
20 answers
Is rebirth a delusional belief?
I find it difficult to assign a meaning to the word 'rebirth'.
Here are some hints that rebirth might not be real:
Views regarding one's past and future existence are included in the "62 false beliefs"
Those views are ascribed to non-Buddhist…
ChrisW
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58
votes
14 answers
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.
Jordy van Ekelen
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53
votes
18 answers
If there is no soul, how can there be rebirth?
Anatta is often described as "not-self" which I understand to mean that our identities are illusions. But it's also described as "soullessness" which I think implies that there is no mind other than the brain itself.
But many Buddhists believe in…
user50
39
votes
8 answers
If a buddhist should not kill a mouse living in their home, what justification do they have to rid themselves of a parasite such tapeworms
An extension of this question posted earlier:
How not to kill the mouse in my house?
Where does one draw the line for which forms of life are ok to destroy, and which ones are not? Is it just a calculation of causing the least suffering? A human has…
Gray
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37
votes
10 answers
Is killing vermin and insects justifiable?
The first precept goes something similar to
I undertake the training rule to abstain from killing.
Now, I understand that, for instance, eating meat is allowed, but what about, for instance, killing vermin which might damage food or cause disease…
Haedrian
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37
votes
19 answers
How to explain what Buddhism is?
My mother and I come from a non-Buddhist culture/background/society/country/family.
At one point when I had an opportunity to explain to her what Buddhism is, I was doing well (i.e. she was listening and accepting what I was saying) when I was…
ChrisW
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37
votes
20 answers
Introductory books to Buddhism
I'm looking for some book(s) that are generally regarded as a good introduction to Buddhism. I know very little about Buddhism, having only read one book on it so far (What Makes You Not a Buddhist by Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche). I found the…
JNat
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37
votes
13 answers
What exactly differentiates Vipassana from Samatha meditation?
What are the key aspects of Vipassana that are not present in Samatha?
What is the main difference in the method from a meditator's perspective?
Labeling emotions and feelings are part of samatha or vipassana? Does Vipassana allows emotions to rise…
konrad01
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35
votes
11 answers
Does illegal downloading or viewing of copyright material violate the second precept?
As a kid I used to download a lot of softwares and movies using torrents. Even if something illegal is done, it doesn't necessarily mean that it violates a precept. But can this be considered as stealing in Buddhism?
How can this be explained…
dmsp
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33
votes
12 answers
How does stream entry occur?
When a person becomes a stream enterer/Sotapanna, I understand they no longer have the first 3 fetters of belief in a self, doubts about the Buddha, his teachings or the noble sangha, or attachments to rites and rituals. But what's not clear to me…
Robin111
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32
votes
18 answers
Is moderate drinking acceptable in Buddhism?
I have heard a certain interpretation of the 5th precept and I'm curious about it, the person said that for lay people the 5th precept means "not drinking alcohol to the point you get intoxicated or lose control of your actions", therefore it would…
konrad01
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32
votes
12 answers
Do buddhists fall in love?
I'm new to the concept of Buddhism, and am failing to understand perhaps something very basic. I understand that one is not expected to hold anything close or dear as it is impermanent and could change at any moment so how does one love another…
user3791372
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31
votes
14 answers
Are all Buddhists vegetarian?
Most if not all Buddhists I know are vegetarian or vegan. Thinking about the precepts this is not surprising - one should abstain from killing. However is this universally true in all Buddhist traditions? Are there some Buddhist traditions that…
Crab Bucket
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30
votes
15 answers
Should one give to beggars?
I'm very fortunate to live in an affluent part of the world. Even so, it is a common site to see people begging for money in the street. In our town there are posters up asking people not to give to beggars as it just encourages people to beg more.…
Crab Bucket
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30
votes
13 answers
Lust - How Can it be Overcome?
I am an above beginner level meditator - I have been practicing Vipassana meditation regularly for past 6-7 months - By regularly, I mean 1hr of sitting meditation at least 5 times a week.
I have not been able to control my lust. I try to remain…
TheDarkKnightRules
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