Buddhism Stack Exchange
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What is right gifting?

I came across this explanation by Buddha, from the Dana Mahapphala Sutta. THE BEST WAY TO GIVE. Or, instead of thinking, ‘When this gift of mine is given, it calms my mind. Satisfaction and joy arise,’ he makes a gift, thinking, ‘This is an…
8CK8
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How to help non-Buddhists understand a young person's desire to be ordained as a monk?

Many non-Buddhists do not understand the appeal or the benefits of becoming a monk. They may not be able to understand why one would want to live such a simple life, and they may not take the decision seriously. What are some of the "selling…
Jakob
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Significance of touching forheads in Tibetan Buddhism (Karma Kagyu)?

I have visited a local group of Karma Kagyu practitioners once, hearing a Dharma talk and participating in the mantra, rituals, and meditation. At this occasion, the members of the Sangha greeted one another by touching foreheads with each other. I…
FullPeace.org
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Meditating as sleep aid

Every book that I have read about Buddhism and medititation says that, as meditation cultivates concentration and awareness, one should never fall asleep while doing it. So, what about when I cannot sleep? Can't I meditate to help me sleep, or only…
Michael Angelo
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Why do the scriptures employ so much repetition?

I was reading the Anatta-lakkhana Sutta: The Discourse on the Not-self Characteristic and here the Buddha attempts to demonstrate that not in any of the five aggregates is the self to be found. He says this about form for example: "Form, O monks,…
DLV
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What is the origin of the Buddhist expression "Practice as if your hair is on fire"?

I remember this phrase but I have not been able to locate it in the texts. I do not recall the correct words but it's something like this: "Meditate/practice as if your hair is/were on fire". I have searched on Buddhism SE and on Google and found…
user2424
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Are mindfulness and flow related

Loose definitions for mindfulness and flow (text from Wikipedia): Mindfulness involves being aware moment-to-moment, of one’s subjective conscious experience from a first-person perspective. Flow is described as a deep focus on nothing but the…
JnBrymn
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Samsaric knowledge

I learn new things every day, which on use becomes knowledge and wisdom over the years. From Buddhism point of view, I can reincarnate in different world and time , can remember my previous birth. What does Buddhism say of samsaric knowledge gained…
8CK8
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What are the Ānāpānasati Kammaṭṭhāna as Taught By Ven. Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thero

I am curious to know how Ven. Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thero teachers Ānāpānasati. Does he follow the 16 stage instructions or perhaps something similar to the 8 step method1 or combination of both or something different with or without overlap. NB:…
Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena
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Is it possible to achieve universal detachment? How?

I have, for some time, tried to detach from things in my life so I can find true happiness without needing anything. Although I have had some success detaching from some things, like the need to be right or material stuff, I still am too attached to…
sigmaxf
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Advice for a young person living in a western city

I've read here about sensual pleasure and music and I agree with what I've read: that boredom breeds states of unwholesome pleasure and that when we give up our thoughts to entertainment we do just that; that we should instead focus on the teachings…
amby
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What is the object of Faith in Buddhism

I am quite new to Buddhism. One of the reasons for starting practice was that I don't believe in God. But I belive in the four Noble Truths. I believe it because the more I think about it, the more I see it is true. And practicing accordingly…
Mr. Concept
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Can anyone explain Sanskara / Sankara in depth?

Can someone provide a canonical explanation to Sanskara/Sankara? I appreciate if you can provide some sources, Suttras/Suttas so that I can expand my knowledge.
Theravada
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How can Nama-rupa of Dependent Arising be same as Five Aggregates?

It is generally told that the 4th entry in the chain of Dependent Origination, namely Nama-rupa is nothing but the Five Aggregates (Nama being the sum of Vedana, Sanna, Sankhara and Vinnana). But three of the Aggregates separately appear in the…
Soumen
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What is the name in Pāli and Sanskrit for the ‘body scanning’ meditation technique?

I would like to research this method in historical texts, but any search on google for ‘body scan’ only returns results related to the modern vipassana movement.
Quinn Comendant
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