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1500 questions
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Any research on the authorship of the Avatamsaka Suttra?
I was reading through the sutra (well, using global search in my kindle) to find references to the word mathematics. In at least two places the author suggests Bodhisattvas should study all manners of topics to be of benefit to others, including…
MatthewMartin
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How does chanting work in Nichiren Buddhism?
This question came up in my book club.
Chanting is a central practice in Nichiren Buddhism. How does it work, what effects or benefits come from it? Has this changed much between from historical and modern times?
MatthewMartin
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Why do Bhikkhunis have so many extra Vinaya rules?
The Vinaya contains 227 rules for male monks and 311 rules for female monks. Is it known why so many additional rules were put in place for Bhikkhunis?
Robin111
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What are: Lamrim, Dzogchen, Mahamudra
Could someone provide a brief (good-SE-answer-size) description of the three terms: Lamrim, Dzogchen, and Mahamudra. Specifically, are they different examples of one particular thing, are they progressive or parallel stages, etc. Also, if there was…
tkp
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What is Death? What did Buddha say regarding the experience of Death?
What is death according to Buddhism? When does it occur? Why do so many people die simultaneously in natural calamities? What did Buddha say about death? Please give references of Buddha's teachings.
TheDarkKnightRules
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Money to monasteries
Is it right for a monastery or a temple to take money donations, having donation boxes and selling a lot of different things to worship or get luck from?
Or shouldn't a monastery use money just like the monks?
I feel if I want to give to a monastery…
Drebay
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Is Buddhism Effective?
I am sure of my ignorance and apologize.
Is Buddhism effective? There are only 28 Buddha since the beginning of perception, right? What hope is there of ever awakening? I am very discouraged. Though depression is a big thing in my current…
John Taylor
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Right situation for Teaching Dhamma or giving advice
I often find that in real life people I know are doing things in a "wrong" way. By this I not only mean profound things related to Dhamma, but also small everyday things. Because of these small things, which are most often due to a small gap in…
Kobamschitzo
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Is Right Concentration equivalent to the Four Jhanas?
Point 8 of the Noble Eightfold Path is "Right Concentration". According to Wikipedia and at least some of the (Theravada-leaning) books I have read, with Right Concentration the Buddha meant the first four Jhanas (Rupa Jhana).
To what extent can one…
Jonas Sourlier
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Answering Zizek's challenge to Buddhism
Slavoj Zizek is a little unusual I think among English-speaking philisophers, in expressing substantial sympathy for Buddhist ideas, but challenging them at a basic level. Eg
The Problems of Buddhism (https://youtu.be/UN1hP_lBtp0)
The Buddhist Ethic…
CriglCragl
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How to get away from the desire to become a Buddhist Teacher or some influencer followed by many?
My mind creates this desire or a dream that I will get enlightened and become some sort of Guru who teaches Buddhism to many, I will become someone like Bodhidharma or Milarepa etc.
I want some practical solution to counter this fantasy of my mind…
The White Cloud
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Must an Arahant stay forever in their place of enlightenment?
Take another case of a mendicant who lives close by a jungle thicket. As they do so, their mindfulness becomes established, their mind becomes immersed in samādhi, their defilements come to an end, and they arrive at the supreme sanctuary. But the…
PDT
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How to deal with immense guilt over past acts of cruelty? Is sincere repentance and striving really enough?
I won't go into details, but I am dealing with horrible guilt and shame over cruel acts I have committed in the past. It feels like I am now come to terms with the significance of these actions, and seeing the ripening of this accumulated negative…
Narran
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Why and how is Theravada and Mahayana Abhidha(r)(m)ma different?
I know this could potentially be a huge question: if abhidhamma/abhidharma differs in Theravada and Mahayana, how does is it differ and why?
vimutti
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Mahayana revealed from Naga world to 1st century CE+ - Why?
If I take these definitive positions:
Mahayana teachings did originate from the Buddha and were taught to select disciples. (Whether in full or in part) And were then passed on selectively to various followers.
These teachings were, as tradition…
Egovatar
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