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1500 questions
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votes
11 answers
How did this material world come into existence if the ultimate reality is voidness?
Okay, I know that anything that come into existence has a cessation..
So, how did this world of suffering begin?
Or, if you say it never began and it's ever existent, why would it need to exist?
What's the cause that's made this material world?
If…
Gokul NC
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3 answers
What can be done when one is having difficulties establishing a regular practice?
I just can't manage to maintain a regular practice, not even a short one. From a buddhist point of view, what can be done?
I went on retreats, I sat a few days in a row at home doing meditation, I tried to do small meditations, but I just can't…
breath
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6
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1 answer
Meditation posture and language as a monk in Thailand
I am not able to sit in the lotus position. I'm only 24 years old but quite tall (189 cm). Usually I sit in this position:
(I googled the picture, it's from EMPFOHLENE MEDITATIONS-POSITIONEN UND SITZHALTUNGEN)
If I want to enter a monastery in…
Stéphane
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6
votes
9 answers
What is Karuṇā? Is 'compassion' really a good translation?
Is compassion really a good translation for Karuna? I've been fooled by "patience" before, now I'm sort of suspicious of the other common translations for the paramitas.
Does karuna in addition to feeling other people's pain also entail regret? In…
MatthewMartin
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6
votes
4 answers
What is knowledge?
Understanding that there various kinds of knowledge, could somone please help elaborate on the kind of direct knowledge the Buddha referred to in the context of liberation.
As a conditioned being who tends to base his understanding of the world on…
Amanasa
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6
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6 answers
How do you decide when to stick up for yourself and when to let things go?
I'm trying to apply Buddhist principles to the way I lead my life, but right now I'm struggling with an issue.
In short, the problem is that someone caused damage to our home and refuses to acknowledge this and pay the damages. The problem is that…
THelper
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6
votes
2 answers
Breath patterns in texts
What is the canonical reference if I wanted to read about breath patterns and their mapping to specific mind states?
A while back I came across an online text which contained some very hard-to-remember tables of breath sequences. It was, if I…
Buddho
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2 answers
What are the rotating cylinders in monastries, and why are they there?
Sorry, as I don't know the right term for them.
But, I have noticed these huge copper cylinders(when I went to visit a temple in Dharmashala), which are kept like 5-6 in a row.
They have engravings (probably in some script) on them, and they are…
Dawny33
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6
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5 answers
Five aggregates vs dependent origination
What is the relation between the five aggregates and the dependent origination?
clempojazzer
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6
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2 answers
Difference between "Becoming" and Anicca
To preface my question, I will add that I am very unfamiliar with Buddhism. My knowledge consists of some historical anecdotes, and I also know some of the basic tenets.
That being said, is there a difference between "Becoming" and…
Ryan
- 163
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6
votes
4 answers
In the five paramitas, what is patience and why is it on the list?
I understand the English dictionary definition of patience, the ability to wait.
When reading about the paramitas, it seems like this word in the original language covered forbearance, i.e. the ability to suffer other people's anger and insults…
MatthewMartin
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6
votes
4 answers
What kind of vipassana retreats do you recommend in South East Asia?
I've been meditating for 2.5 years, and have done two retreats before (Goenka and Gil Fronsdal). I'm looking forward to expanding to my understanding of the practice in South East Asia. I was wondering which 10 day retreat people here recommend for…
flavio87
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6
votes
8 answers
What should you do when someone teaches false Dharma?
I was part of a religious group that claimed to be everything that the Buddha teaches. But, when you listen to their teachings, you can tell discrepancies between their teachings and Buddhist teachings.
I just saw many people being misguided, but I…
Reid
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6
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3 answers
What are 'suttas of indirect meaning' in the Pali canon?
This subsection of Wikipedia's Two Truths article says that the "two truths" distinction is not made in the suttas, but that there are some "suttas of indirect meaning".
Two Truths > Origin and development > Early Indian Buddhism > Pali Canon
In…
ChrisW
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1 answer
Getting started young with many attachments
I realize that at least the first part of the title is probably the most easily researched question with relevance to Buddhism possible, but I'd say I've read quite a bit and though I've seen very appealing and interesting ideas, I have no idea how…
user6928
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