Tags
A tag is a keyword or label that categorizes your question with other, similar questions.
The oldest of the two big branches in Buddhism. Theravada tries to follow the original teachings of Gautama Buddha as closely as possible
802 questions
Questions containing or motivated by some aspect of personal experience. The experience can be during formal Buddhist practice or during everyday activity however the experience will be related to Buddhist practice or doctrine. The questions will necessarily have a subjective quality however the question or answers will contain references to Buddhist scripture, doctrine or an established teacher.
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A question asking for a single text or a set of texts. This can be from a general request on a subject area or a specific request for a text where the questioner knows a fragment or detail of it.
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For general questions about what is meditation, what is it for and what types of meditation are.
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The Pāḷi Canon is a compilation of scriptures that preserve the earliest record of the teachings attributed to the Buddha in the Pāḷi language. It is also called the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka since it is divided in three sections (tipiṭaka, "three baskets") of teachings, such as, the Discipline Basket (Vinaya Piṭaka), Discourse Basket (Sutta Piṭaka) & Higher Teachings Basket (Abhidhamma Piṭaka).
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The study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with reality, existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind and language. It can also be a theory or attitude that acts as a guiding principle for behaviour.
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For questions about the Buddha (Siddartha Gautama) as a person - his life, sayings, actions, etc.
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Vipassanā (Pāli, Vipaśhyanā in Sanskrit, Lhagthong in Tibetan) is a form of insight-meditation and one of the two meditation techniques that supposedly were taught by the Buddha
368 questions
A type of literary composition in of varying length. In Buddhism this mostly refers to canonical texts. Sutras is a Sanskrit term however the Pali term sutta is often used by certain traditions. The two terms are equivalent.
368 questions
Skillful and unskillful thought, speech and action. These questions include but are not limited to questions on the vinaya and precepts.
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The coming into existence of another being based on conditions arising from a previous existence. This is commonly confused with reincarnation. Reincarnation is the passing of a soul or spirit into a new body. Buddhism denies the concept of a soul, spirit or permanent self therefore in Buddhism rebirth occurs but there is no-one who is reborn.
313 questions
Nirvāṇa (Sanskrit: निर्वाण; Pali: निब्बान nibbāna ; Prakrit: णिव्वाण) literally means "blown out", as in a candle. In the Buddhist context nirvana refers to the imperturbable stillness of mind after the fires of desire, aversion, and delusion have been extinguished.
307 questions
The practice of paying more attention to the present moment, to your own thoughts and feelings, and to the world around you. This can be during formal meditation or during one's everyday life.
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Otherwise known as the householder path, the lay buddhist path is a path for non-monastic buddhists.
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The practical aspects of meditation including but not limited to timing sits, equipment, suitable location and scheduling practice.
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The goal of the Buddhist path. Can refer to liberation, awakening or the end of suffering but is generally understood as being indescribable to an unenlightened being.
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The Sanskrit term for the concept of 'not self' or 'no fixed self'. This is classified among the three marks of existence, namely impermanence, suffering and no fixed self. The equivalent Pali term is Anatta.
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For questions about the Buddha (Siddartha Gautama) or any past, future Buddha as a person - his life, sayings, actions, etc.
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A body of Buddhist doctrine associated with Tibet and surrounding central Asian areas. It is popularly associated with Vajrayāna or Tantric Buddhism however it a comprehensive path composed of teaching from all three Buddhist vehicles. Prominent exponents include the Dalai Lama and the Karmapa.
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Particular issues from the modern world, which relate to or affect the practice of Buddhism. These topics include but are not limited to technological, political and consumer issues that impact on Buddhist thought and practice.
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For questions about Buddhism in the past, and how it has developed since then.
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A broad term referring to canonical, commentary or scriptural compositions of any tradition.
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Jhāna generally refers to the 8 stages of tranquility (samatha) meditation taught by Gautama Buddha and mentioned in the Pali Canon.
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The study of terms and their use. Specifically this will include requests for clarification of Buddhist terms and comparisons of terms within or between traditions.
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The Five Precepts constitute the basic Buddhist code of ethics, undertaken by lay followers of the Buddha Gautama in the Theravadan as well as in Mahayanan traditions.
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The practice of mindful investigation into the nature of reality and how things really are with the ultimate goal of the end of suffering.
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Pratītyasamutpāda (Sanskrit:प्रतीत्यसमुत्पाद; Pali: पटिच्चसमुप्पाद paṭiccasamuppāda) is commonly translated as dependent origination or dependent arising. A central concept in the Buddhist tradition that all things arise in dependence upon multiple causes and conditions.
The term is also used to refer to a specific application of this general principle — namely the twelve links of dependent origination.
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General questions about teaching methods, doctrinal transmission and emphasis within any Buddhist tradition.
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Questions asking for recommendations for a particular type of meditation perhaps to remedy a particular difficulty or to enable the practitioner to deepen his or her practice
133 questions
A full time religious practitioner living in a dedicated community. Typically a follower of a monastic lifestyle undertakes an additional set of vows over and above those taken by lay followers. Monastic traditions vary greatly between Buddhist traditions. This tag refers to monks and nuns so is gender neutral.
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