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1500 questions
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Why do the Noble Truths talk about 'craving', instead of about 'attachment'?
Further to these comments, why do the Noble Truths talk about 'craving', specifically, instead of about 'attachment'?
Wouldn't they make as much sense, or even make more sense, if they identified attachment rather than craving as a condition for the…
ChrisW
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Sense of calmness in meditation, what is it?
In a first 10 day vipassana meditation course I did almost continuous intensive meditation for 7 days ,I felt a strange calmness such that I could almost not feel the weight of my body , this feeling lasted till 2-3 days and then I stopped doing it,…
Bodhi
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What is the reasoning for making a buddhist statue out of gold?
The Golden Buddha, officially titled Phra Phuttha Maha Suwan Patimakon, is the world's largest solid gold statue.
What is the justification for such a statue? By justification I mean, what reasons would the Buddhists who created/use the statue give…
user70
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If Buddhism is about moderation, then why is it that you can attain nirvana only after renouncing worldly possessions?
This is really confusing to me. Buddha himself was an ascetic, and his teachings seem to imply that the path to nirvana is attained through renouncing one's worldly possessions.
Isn't this in direct contradiction to the Middle Way?
extremeaxe5
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7
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In short, what is the path to enlightenment? Where to begin?
If I were to begin meditating, what practical list of advises would you give me?
useranonis
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Did the Buddha ever talk about his family?
When Siddhārtha Gautama left his home to become an ascetic, he left a wife, son, father and step mother. His achievement of enlightenment and subsequent teachings of the 4 Noble Truths and 8 Fold Noble Path has brought obvious benefit to the world…
Robin111
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7
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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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How To Follow Buddhism Without Offending
I am wondering how to go about starting on the path of Buddhism without offending or appropriating the culture. As a white male I am well aware that I am privileged with the ability to overlook the repercussions of my actions when adopting a new…
anon
7
votes
4 answers
What does Buddhism say about dealing with negative people?
I live and work around a person (relative) whom is constantly negative in my life. He always belittles me about what I do, and whenever I succeed at something, he claims it was luck. When I fail at something, he usually mocks me or says it was my…
Maxwell T.
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Does Theravada believe in feeding food to hungry ghosts?
Certain Buddhist schools perform rituals to offer food to hungry ghosts. And I've heard and read stories that psychic mediums at the rituals saw hungry ghosts came eating the food. Some also reported that they saw Buddha and Bodhisattas accompany…
fxam
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How is it wrong to believe that a self exists, or that it doesn't?
the one place where the Buddha was asked point-blank whether or not
there was a self, he refused to answer. When later asked why, he said
that to hold either that there is a self or that there is no self is
to fall into extreme forms of wrong…
user2512
7
votes
3 answers
Was Buddhism a rebellion against the Aryans?
I read and learned many areas in Buddhism, for example the Seven Arya Dhana (Saptharyadhana - The Sevenfold Noble Wealth), the Four Noble Truths (Chathurarya Sathya) and the Eightfold Path (arya ashtangika marga).
I sometimes feel in the time when…
Lasitha Benaragama
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Is it helpful, how is it possible, to deal with anger by 'accepting' it with equanimity?
I'm new to Buddhism and I had just started to put some of the teachings into practice. But I'm having great difficulty dealing with my anger. I have always been rather intense in my emotions. I get angered quite easily. I've done some reading and…
Lim LS
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votes
5 answers
Why do monastics in certain Buddhist traditions take new names?
In the Theravada tradition, and perhaps others, monastics take a new name when becoming bhikkhus/bhikkhunis. Where does this tradition come from, and what is its significance? Others don't - what's the difference?
FullPeace.org
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How should I stop thinking that I am even slightly enlightened?
I don't know how else to phrase this question, but please advise. I have this constant irritating feeling that I am kind of enlightened. It is confusing.
I don't really know if it is my ego which is trying to assume this sort of "super self", when…
esh
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