The study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with reality, existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind and language. It can also be a theory or attitude that acts as a guiding principle for behaviour.
Questions tagged [philosophy]
400 questions
19
votes
10 answers
What is the meaning and/or purpose of life?
According to Buddhism, if exists, what is the meaning of life, and if different, what is the purpose of life? And where does this meaning and purpose come from?
Jake
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12
votes
8 answers
What is the difference between relative and absolute truth in Buddhist philosophy?
Many Buddhist texts and teachings make a distinction between absolute and relative truth. Please explain the difference and give some examples.
likethesky
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10
votes
5 answers
Paradox of the ego - our desire to improve vs Buddhism
There was a question on my mind lately, regarding ego. It is not paradox per se but I find it slightly paradoxical.
Because people have such a strong ego, humanity has risen above the animal level. Our ego was main reason that we progressed, our…
Neithrik
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7
votes
6 answers
What are "Supernatural mental abilities" in relation to Buddhism?
In this question How to help non-Buddhists understand a young person's desire to be ordained as a monk?, one of the "selling points" listed was:
5) Supernatural mental abilities (astral travel, reading minds, remembering past lives, etc.)
Could…
user3169
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6
votes
3 answers
So what's the sense of it all?
Perhaps too straightforward question (I know it's too general) but still - when there's the enlightenment why we even exists? If Samsara can be brutal and full of suffering, what's its purpose? To suffer and then enjoy how nice it is to not suffer?…
Ivan Sivak
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6
votes
5 answers
Demotivation and Nihilism
I am curious as to how Buddhism deals with demotivation, in the sense of lacking goals and aspirations, and with nihilism, in the sense of feeling things are dissatisfactory and devoid of reasons to crave them.
I am aware the second aspect of my…
user7302
6
votes
4 answers
What is the Noble Eightfold Path?
Where is the Noble Eightfold Path found in the Pali Canon? Are there significant differences among the traditions in its interpretation?
user50
5
votes
8 answers
If there is no self what or who is it that gets enlightened?
From reading this answer I come to understand that anatta means the lack of a core that can be conceived as self. If there is no permanent self, then who or what gets enlightened?
Jose B
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5
votes
1 answer
What are conditioned as opposed to unconditioned phenomena?
I have come across the term 'conditioned phenomena'; what is meant by the qualifier 'conditioned'; are all phenomena conditioned, or are some phenomena unconditioned?
Mozibur Ullah
- 163
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5
votes
8 answers
Can you explain how cessation of existence is known to be possible?
People from other sects may argue against Buddhism on the following grounds.
I invite the community of BSE to explain by reasoning or analogy how cessation of existence, which is known as the Nibbana-principle, as it is explained in Buddhism, isn't…
user8527
5
votes
13 answers
How compatible are Buddhism and Communism?
Despite communism as practiced (as opposed to what Marx might have had in mind) being the source of some of the largest slaughter of lay and monastic Buddhists ever (except maybe the Imperial Chinese)... are the principles of Buddhism and communism…
MatthewMartin
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5
votes
1 answer
What if a course lacks a proper introduction to Buddhist philosophy?
I'm new to the practice of Buddhism. But I'm not new to the philosophical ideas of Buddhism. I've just begun a ground course in Tibetan Buddhism. The shamata parts are good, the philosophy parts not so much. I feel that the "view" is not really…
Mr. Concept
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4
votes
5 answers
Why our mind always live in habits? Why we are always making new habits? What will happen if habits are not formed?
QN 1: What is connection between thoughts and habits?
QN 2: We (as a lay practitioner) are aware of our few habits like smoking but not all.
Example: Morning tea habit (feeling to have tea). Similarly checking mobile time to time, watching TV,…
user17101
4
votes
7 answers
Can we be too analytical
It seems to me that analysing everything to the tiniest degree takes joy and spontaneity out of life. I admit, being mindful can make for better decision making and therefor better outcome, but do you want to be around me if I am so thoroughly…
Sue Hamilton
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4
votes
2 answers
What kind of influence did Cārvāka had on Buddha's philosophy
I have sometimes heard that Siddhartha Gautama's philosophy was influenced by Cārvāka system of philosophy. Is this true, and if true, to what extent has Cārvāka system influenced Buddhism?
sampathsris
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