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1500 questions
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8 answers
Why is Zen/Chan thought to be more related to Buddhism than to Taoism?
According to the book The Tao of Zen, Zen/Chan is esentially a form of Taoism. This makes sense to me, as it's hard to understand what is the common ground between the relative simplicity of Zen and the baroque belief systems of the other Mahayana…
michau
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6
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4 answers
What do we do when we've broken a precept?
How should we proceed in our practice when we have broken some of the five precepts? I am anguished over this unwholesome behavior and the negative karma I created. Ajahn Brahm talks about self-forgiveness and the Buddha in the Sankha Sutta (the…
douglaseye
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6
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6 answers
Impermanence, nonexistance of self, meaning of life
I've been learning lately about Buddhism and I have several questions about it. I haven't actually read any of the sacred books, just some stuff on the internet and now I'm reading What Makes You Not a Buddhist as an intro to Buddhism, so I might…
starman
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6
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1 answer
How does one Practice Sila?
There are many techniques to practice meditation but how exactly do you practice Sila?
Are there any methods or techniques mentioned in the Suttas or by Buddhist Teachers to practice Sila. Exactly what are you doing when you say you are "practicing…
Orion
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6
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3 answers
Stabilizing the counterpart sign
Stabilizing the counterpart sign (nimitta) isn't easy. Is there a 'technique' that leads to stabilize it? I.c. is there a 'technique' to develop/cultivate intensively the absorption factors (jhanangas)?
With 'stabilizing' I mean: making the nimitta…
Guy Eugène Dubois
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6
votes
2 answers
Limitations of meditation/mindfulness without Vinaya
Some teachers say that the meditation practice without the Vinaya is very limited on its achievments. That is equivalent of saying that lay meditators will have very limited results, even if he/she keeps the 5 precepts.
Can anyone explain what is…
konrad01
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6
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9 answers
A Buddhist Point of View of Virtual Reality
Buddhism teaches that what is real is experience; seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, feeling, thinking.
From this perspective, is virtual reality, (video games, Oculus Rift, and such) objectively less "real" than reality? One certainly sees, hears,…
Robin111
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6
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1 answer
Era in which the past Buddhas appeared
Does anyone know in which era each of the first 27 Buddhas appeared? I know the 28th Buddha's lifetime is generally accepted to be circa 563 BC to 483 BC.
Papa
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6
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2 answers
Was the Buddha known to chant during his meditation?
Did the Buddha chant some mantra or holy word throughout his meditation? Or he was just silent to realize what is coming through him to interpret?
jitin
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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
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1 answer
Does Kwan Yin hold a place in Theravada Buddhism?
Kwan Yin (a.k.a. Guanyin, Avalokiteśvara) is an important figure in Mahayana Buddhism. But I recently noticed a statue of Kwan Yin on the grounds of a local Theravada monastery. I looked up Kwan Yin on Wikipedia and a connection to Theravada…
Robin111
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6
votes
2 answers
How can you translate nibbida?
How can you translate or define nibbida in English?
Guy Eugène Dubois
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6
votes
5 answers
How do you "meditate on" a saying or subject?
When you search for "meditate on" on Google, suggested completions include scripture, love, death, a word.
I have read a lot about meditating by using your breath as a focal point, but have never come across an example where a word, phrase, or…
Steven Edwards
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2 answers
Why choose to attain Nirvana when we can become Brahmas (or Bodhisattvas)?
As I understand, once someone attains Nirvana and passes away, there is no more dependant arising, meaning this person no longer manifests as a person or being in any realm. This also means that this person loses his personhood (although this…
ruben2020
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2 answers
Reason(s) for being born as men and women
Does anyone have an explanation as to how Buddhism explains the reason(s) as to why and how humans are born as men and women? What governs the gender?
mlomailom
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