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1500 questions
8
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3 answers
What is the significance of Commentaries (Atthakatha) to the Suttas?
In some traditions commentaries are inherent in the daily sermons and books written by monks. But I've noticed that most of the commentaries are not available digitally in English compared to the Suttas and most people don't use commentaries as…
dmsp
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8
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8 answers
Why do Buddhists believe that the Buddha was enlightened, despite that he claimed it himself?
All the answers to the question about the living enlightened people suggest that talking about one's enlightenment is taboo, so if somebody claims to be enlightened, he probably is not.
Why doesn't this reasoning apply to the Buddha? After all, he…
michau
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8
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2 answers
Buddhism, mothers and earthworms
My first exposure to Buddhism was watching Seven Years in Tibet in my German childhood. Most memorable were the following two scenes of Buddhist monks in orange robes.
In the one scene, some monks were carefully making a large picture out of…
Earthliŋ
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8
votes
9 answers
Are all forms of Dukkha related to a sense of self?
A few days ago I started reading books about Paticcasamuppada because I realized how little and shallow was my understanding on this capital matter.
Despite getting the gist of it, I still have problems understanding the exact details.
For instance,…
Brian Díaz Flores
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8
votes
3 answers
Is yoga an acceptable form of meditation for a practicing Buddhist?
Yoga is a form of mediation which involves physical exertions as well as inward examination. Is this an acceptable form of meditation for a Buddhist? Are there any sects of Buddhism which focus on meditations which involve physical exertion?
Chris Mueller
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8
votes
5 answers
Would an advanced practitioner ever stop meditating?
The founder of the Buddhist community I attend said in an interview that he doesn't meditate anymore. I kind of found this really surprising. If we can say (just for arguments sake) that he is an advanced practitioner - is there any precedence for…
Crab Bucket
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8
votes
8 answers
Should Lay Buddhists Teach the Dhamma?
Should a lay Buddhist teach the Dhamma in a dhamma centre? Can a lay person teach just as a monk does? If so, are there any differences (e.g., should they sit on a different level, should the audience pay respect in a different way, etc.)?
konrad01
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8
votes
4 answers
Time and Frequency of Meditation
I have read psychological studies and commentaries by meditators that frequency is more important than duration for meditation. Thus, 10 minutes seven days a week is more beneficial than 70 minutes in one sitting according to this view.
I am…
user7302
8
votes
1 answer
Historically, where do the concepts of Karma, Nirvana, Dharma and Samsara come from?
From a historical perspective where do the concepts of Karma, Nirvana, Dharma and Samsara come from? I'm aware that they predated Buddhism but do they come from the Vedas, Shramanic tradition or somewhere else? I appreciate that Nirvana might have…
Crab Bucket
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8
votes
3 answers
Enlightenment vs nibbana/nirvana
What is the difference between enlightenment/awakening and nibbana/nirvana? And how do these terms relate to parinibbana/parinirvana?
michau
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8
votes
5 answers
Following the Dhamma without taking refuge
A lot of people, especialy from the west, like to follow the Dhamma (Kamma laws, meditation, metta, etc.), however they worry about taking refuge, because taking refuge is seen as an official entry point in Buddhism, where your old religion should…
konrad01
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8
votes
0 answers
Full view on right livelihood
I have seen some questions on what the scope of right/wrong livelihood is, however most of the questions I have seen only touch on a specific point, so I would like to consolidate these questions and include new ones, so we can have a better view to…
konrad01
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8
votes
8 answers
Is there any benefit in abstaining from listening songs?
All the songs which I have been listening since childhood are constantly popping up in my mind even the songs which I listened in the childhood.
Shall I now stop listening any song altogether providing I want to uncondition my mind completely? Are…
user10804
8
votes
4 answers
Special connection with animals
After I started to practice meditation and the Dhamma, I had some very unusual situation with animals, receiving a lot of kindness from them, I was never very "popular" with cats and dogs and it completely changed, more than once cats (very affraid…
konrad01
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8
votes
9 answers
How can we stop overthinking?
Many people suffer because of an endless mind-thoughts. What is the simplest way to stop overthinking and make the mind still?
juicy true
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