Most Popular
1500 questions
8
votes
1 answer
How would I know if I was suffering from spiritual materialism?
How would I know if I was suffering from spiritual materialism as detailed in Chögyam Trungpa's book Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism? Would there be signs that I could recognise in myself and if so what would the signs be? Or is it something…
Crab Bucket
- 21,051
- 11
- 62
- 173
8
votes
6 answers
Is Satori the same as Enlightenment?
Is the Zen term Satori the same as enlightenment or does it have different nuances or emphasis over what is commonly meant by enlightenment in non-Zen texts. If it is the same then why is used at all. Is its usage just a cultural thing and…
Crab Bucket
- 21,051
- 11
- 62
- 173
8
votes
1 answer
What were Nagarjuna's seminal contributions to Buddhist philosophy?
Nagarjuna's ideas are considered to represent the historical starting point of Mahayana Buddhist philosophy. Can his ideas be considered a clarification of the philosophy presented in the Pali canon? And if so, what are the specific ideas in…
jpbrooks-user153707
- 181
- 2
8
votes
2 answers
How to use Sloth and Torpor as an object for meditation
The Satipatthana Sutta details the use of the sloth and torpor hindrance as an object for mindfulness meditation. Does anyone have any practical advice, either of a personal nature or from an established teacher, about how this might be achieved.…
Crab Bucket
- 21,051
- 11
- 62
- 173
8
votes
5 answers
What are the advantages/disadvantages of meditating with eyes closed?
I'm not normally distracted by noise, touch, smell or taste when I meditate. But I do keep looking and looking and looking. Sometimes I'll fixate on a crack between the spars of wood on the floor, sometimes something of more soteriological value…
MatthewMartin
- 7,143
- 2
- 28
- 61
8
votes
7 answers
What if there is no rebirth?
Recently, I found a rather interesting quote of HH Dalai Lama XIV, which he said in Bodhgaya interviews, 1981:
“Buddhists believe in rebirth. But suppose through various investigative means, science comes one day to a definite conclusion that there…
Be Brave Be Like Ukraine
- 422
- 1
- 5
- 15
8
votes
9 answers
I want to leave my mother
As I just starting to learn about Buddhism and the methods of be free from samsara. I have confusion about my relationship and my mother. I am 24 yo now- I feel like I have enough of being used by my mother. When I was 1 week old she gave me to…
Curly99
- 81
- 1
- 2
8
votes
3 answers
Theravada Buddhism and Art
In Mahayana Buddhism we can see various artistic expressions: Thangka and Songs of Milarepa in Tibetan Buddhism, Chinese and Japanese art also were influenced heavily by Buddhism. Is there any forms of art practiced by Theravada monks? Do you know…
asolodoff
- 475
- 3
- 9
8
votes
3 answers
Is chanting mantras a common practice in Theravada Buddhism?
In Mahayana Buddhism chanting mantras is one of the core practices and each mantra is associated with a certain Buddha form (yidam).
Since in Theravada Buddhism there is no meditations on yidams (or am I wrong?), I'm wondering what is the role of…
Rabbit
- 2,766
- 1
- 16
- 26
8
votes
3 answers
Is a Theravada Buddhist permitted/able to take a Bodhisattva vow?
This is a sister question to this one.
Suppose a Theravada practitioner decided they wanted to take a Bodhisattva vow, could they (and remain Theravadin)? I guess there are a few of components to this question:
Does Theravada have scope for…
tkp
- 3,126
- 1
- 17
- 34
8
votes
4 answers
Dealing with Lust
I am wondering about the nature of lust and its remedies. I know Buddhism posits that lust depends on the sense organs, and contact with an object. Thus, I've read it promotes decreasing this contact and guarding the senses.
Yet, I find myself…
user7302
8
votes
3 answers
What's the origin of 108 being a sacred number?
The number 108 is a sacred number in Buddhism, but in other religions as well (Hinduism, Jainism).
What exactly is the origin of 108 being a sacred number in Buddhism? Is there anything about it in the ancient scriptures? Did the Buddha say…
THelper
- 1,479
- 13
- 34
8
votes
6 answers
The fourth path to attaining arahantship
From the Yuganaddha Sutta, there are four paths described:
Development of insight preceded by development of tranquility
Development of tranquility preceded by development of insight
Tranquility developed in tandem with insight
Mind's restlessness…
ruben2020
- 36,945
- 5
- 31
- 94
8
votes
4 answers
Beginner academic text recommendation
I am an ordinary western man willing to start learning Buddhism, for now - just for curiousity. I have a B.Sc as for education (if the field DOES matter, that is either economics or computer science, because there are actually two of us, and we both…
8
votes
2 answers
Personal Relationships while on the path?
Since studying and attempting to adhere to the buddhist path as a lay follower, lately I've been finding it very difficult to connect with friends who are not on the same path. I note that much of the time spent together centers on gossip, politics,…
KevinMartillo
- 379
- 2
- 8