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Why is mentally reproducing music so hard to control? How can it be counteracted? I started decreasing the amount of music I listened to before and especially after I started meditating so that I had to cope less with replaying music passages and enjoy a clearer and more silent mind. Even though now I do not actively l...	By trying not to think about a song, we create what it's called ""counter -intentional effect - "not thinking about X"
Can we still reach loved ones with guidence after they have passed through the bardo into a rebirth? The question I pose is the same as the title of this post. Any experience or further reading of how to practice this reaching of a loved one to support and guide them after they have passed through the bardo into rebirt...	To "reach" a departed loved one after the Bardo: In Mahayana practice, many Buddhist Monasteries have a place to lit light (candle) for the departed, with his/her name on it.
What is it like to perceive without 5 Skandas? My understanding of Nibbana is a person who has overcome 5 skandas.I could not perceive the state as we are constantly bombarded with internal and external stimulations which makes me assume that this state can never be achieved and only an incremental change towards nibba...	When a meditator focuses on the present moment, they lose all sense of self and the five aggregates that you mention.
How to cure "if I blamed someone who we should not blame"? According to the Buddha's teaching, how can one cure the offense of "blaming someone who we should not blame"? Here "someone" means from Sotapanna to Arahant ; and "blame" means to accuse that what he/she does (or what he/she does not do) is done (or not done)...	If a noble person unintentionally harms us, they should ask for our forgiveness & we should forgive them.
Retaining courage during mediation Everyone in this little community is awesome, and the people contributing have helped me in the path tremendously. Thank you. My question is this, how can a person remain calm and courageous during sessions? When meditating, I've been reaching very intense states that become hard to ...	This instinctual fear can only be endured with composure & with the full acknowledgment it will pass. Be very aware of the changing nature of the sensations.
In Buddhism, does "God" exist or not? In Buddhism, is the existence of "God" accepted, or not? If not, what is the reason? <Q> It depends on what you mean when you say "God" and "exists". <S> So all things really exist in one sense, but don't really exist in another sense. <S> God is like that too. <S> It certainly exi...	If by God we mean "The Absolute" then it in one sense it obviously exists (since everything is included in it) but then in another sense The Absolute is just an abstraction so it doesn't really exist. In Buddhism all entities (objects) are abstractions or models, conceptual labels on top of mind-made constructs. Within...
"The Blessed One", is it bad translation? I found "The Blessed One" in English translation of Suttas. Because in Buddhism blessing is not legit/proper word to use to anyone, especially Buddha need not to be blessed, is it loosely translated or in purpose? I didn't see any part of Sutta that one can be blessed or a mean...	Yeah; in the original text of The Bible (when Jesus is giving The Beatitudes, saying "Blessed are the 'this' & Blessed are the 'that"), the word they translated "Blessed" actually means something more like 'deliriously, abundantly joyfully-happy.'
Advices on start practicing I've read an introductory book written by Hsing Yun, about humanistic budhism. I meditate every day, and now I feel like taking the next step in my journey. I don't know people who practice budhism, and I have many doubts... There is a temple near my city, but I feel a little intimidate by ...	Read the 2 booklets "How to Meditate" part 1 & part 2 found here.
Ways of Raising Energy I've eliminated many addictive fetters which deterred me from practising meditation. However, now I've noticed that getting into a meditative posture leads--perhaps because of the addictions such as social media which gave me dopamine are gone--to a kind of lethargy, a low energy. I have thus a f...	For the people with distraction it is recommended to do meditation in confined space and do meditation walking in open space is not suitable. 1st bring your mind to the object (initial application), then bring the mind to it again continuously regardless of the fact that it is on the object or not (sustained applicatio...
Which Vinaya has the least number of rules? According to Wikipedia, “Extant vinaya texts include those of the Theravada (the only one in Pali), the Kāśyapīya, the Mahāsāṃghika, the Mahīśāsaka, the Dharmaguptaka, the Sarvāstivāda and the Mūlasarvāstivāda.” Does anyone know which of these Vinayas has the least number of ...	Well, just like what you've read inside "A Concise History of Buddhism" The Theravadin Vinaya is based on Sthraviravadin Vinaya without changing or adding any rules to it.
How Atheism and Buddhism are different? As I'm knowing Buddhism called atheism religion but I've doubt both are different, I call myself I'm an atheist as well as Buddhist. Or it just described what is it ? <Q> Atheism is not a religion. <S> It's just a view that says there are no deities. <S> Atheism is harmless & com...	Buddhism can be said to be Atheistic because of rejection of conventional notions of afterlife and creation but Atheism cant be said to be Buddhistic because Atheism is rejection of specific views and not a view itself.
Proper Meditation Upon A Physical Object I've been previously practicing meditation with the breathing, but for various reasons, among which my inability to latch on to the breath and my facility to focus upon outer objects, I want to engage in outer object-focused meditation. I'd like to know if anyone can explain the...	I would recommend using Buddhadasa Bhikkhu interpretation of the scriptures for the 1st step of your meditation: learn the long breath by controlling the flow of air coming in and out of your lungs, this will relax your body and help you move to the next steps. Once you have established mindfulness of the object you ca...
Killing a mouse in the house with a third party I have read the question How not to kill the mouse in my house? and this got me thinking. Would it be wrong to own a cat that would then kill the mouse? I'm not referring to buying a cat strictly to kill a pest, but rather letting a prevously owned pet cat do as it plea...	The cat killing animals is not bad Karma for you, but here are some ways you can get bad Karma: Being happy when you see that the cat has caught the mouse.
Feeling intense sensations in my forehead and also my head and body is shaking a lot during meditation While doing meditation, I am feeling intense sensations on my forehead and after sometime my whole will start shaking and my hands become rigid. Why are these things happening?Whether i am doing the meditation in the ...	Having intense emotions on the forehead,body shaking,and rigidity could indicate excessive effort,you may be paying too much attention on the breath in a stressful way. If your doing anapanasati meditation with the aim of developing tranquillity your body should be relaxed. The first signs of samadhi manifest different...
Ethics regarding the sharing of paid Dhamma material I recently bought this Ayya Khema Ebook Bundle . I bought the bundle for my own interest in the first place but after reading in them I would now like to share them with my friend, who is just starting out on the Buddhist Path. Can I share the books I bought with ...	Since you would have asked the question in a different way if you could not afford to pay, I would say: by all means pay.
Attitude Towards Speculation and Fantasy I'm experiencing a lot of speculative thoughts and fantasizing about the future when I'm going about my day. I'm wondering whether I should attempt to deny these thoughts, or merely let them arise without judgment. I'm also wondering whether engaging in concentrative breathing m...	Examples of wise thoughts are exactly what you have posted, which is thinking to yourself: " These fantasies are delusional & are a waste of time ".
According to the Noble Eightfold Path, is it poor practice to speak poorly in solitude? I had this question yesterday, when I was using my navigation system to navigate somewhere completely new in my car. I, by accident, took a wrong turn that resulted in multiple miles of detour. When I realized my mistake, I verball...	Expressing the mind of ill-will via speech in solitude would not change the suffering (harmful) effects of that ill-will upon the mind.
If a snake is eating a frog in front of me, what should I do? I always wondered what should I do according to buddhism in a situation like that. Obviously I have two options. Hit the snake and save the frogs' life. Just keep watching without doing anything. Can someone explain this <Q> Don't hit snake, but better ...	Snake charmers would know how to apply pressure at the neck or head to subdue them without causing injury.
If a snake is eating a human infant in front of me what should I do? What is the difference if the snake was eating a frog or a human? What do Buddhist scriptures say about this? <Q> Just kill the snake and save the baby Ok , this would be the reaction of a person who has no idea what Buddhism is . <S> But , even if w...	Killing breaks the first precept no matter how you try to justify it!So, try to save the human without killing the snake. With the baby safe, then toss a good meal to the predator to make sure he doesnt go empty handed.
very strong cravings for compelling images of moving exciting images The problem I find is that modern technology enables easy yielding to exciting moving images in a compulsive way via television, DVDs, cinema and the internet. How can I find free online Buddhist guidance to prevent and avoid online yielding to such p...	Unwholesome cravings are extinguished by using wisdom rather than by using willpower.
How to get back to practice after "falling" from it? How to get back to practice after failing ? i always try and fail try and fail meditating for some years- had and have a teacher - did retreats - but i never manage to keep meditating for more than a few days - tried going all in - tried only meditating 5 min...	Do as much meditation as you can without thinking about the past or future. Check the different groupings and see where practice is needed. Failing is not the problem here, it is the expectation of achieving some results which is the problem, because it causes suffering.
Can one get into the heart of Zen Buddhism without Chinese? Do we know any Zen teachers/masters that do not have Chinese origins and do not speak Chinese? For example English? P.S. I know that such type of logical questions are taken humorously in the zen culture, as it does not really matter but still my "small mind"...	A famous example is Thích Nhất Hạnh , who is Vietnamese .He has given talks in several languages, including English and French. In Australia, America and many other countiries, many zen temples offer classes in both English and Chinese (separately).
Have any notable Buddhists commented on Krishnamurti's teachings? Have any important Buddhists made any claim/s about Krishnamurti's teachings? Especially (caveat I know nothing about this) his claim that "Tell them there is nothing to understand " Bold emphasis is mine . or He claimed that the demand for...	Jiddu Krishnamurti (not U. G.) is not particularly being concerned by any Buddhist.
should i consider this as a hindrance in my practice advice solicitated:i went to a wedding to perfect my mantra recitation and help around in the vedic work say,setting the "havan-kunda" etc.at night on the last day while i was sleeping in the outhouse,my sister was sleeping beside me, well aware of this fact,was in d...	Avoid sleeping in the same bed with your sister in any case! If you wish to keep the eight precepts, avoid getting in a bed with any woman. In my opinion, you have not lost your brahmacharya because your action was not intentional because your mind was in partial sleep. In addition to whatever practices you are doing n...
Is there a value for a single moment of mindfulness (without others) ? what is the value of a single moment of mindfulness- and is it worth anything if not combined with other moments when i do a good action to help others even a small one it has its benefit to the other without even looking at its affect on the prac...	If one's present course of practice is consistent, it is beautiful. Value can be attributable to all and everything that occurs, whether once and forgotten, or consistently applied. Selfless or unselfish acts, such as washing the family dishes, contribute to a mind that can let go.
Feeding meat to pets is it a good karma or bad? I switched my diet to complete vegetarian diet just out of compassion towards animals. However I am confused about feeding meat to my pet dogs. Feeding meat to one animal will directly or indirectly involve the killing of another animal. I feel like I am provoking the sla...	You can try to get free leftover meat from butchers - my grandpas brother used to do that - he got leftover meat from butchers to feed his dog and they were quality parts also -
Is mindfulness itself kamma ? does it create kamma? Is mindfulness itself kamma ? does it create kamma ? is it one of the 50 types of kamma ? (my teacher who is a monk told me mindfulness is kamma - and like kamma its an accumulated thing ) Im asking cause if mindfulness is kamma than its accumlated - and if its acc...	Mindfulness itself is not a karma since it is not an act.
More self control - Beginners Most of the time we are under control of our mind and old habits.If a beginner wants to break the old habits and get more control of it.From where do they should start ? <Q> One starts by seeing with insight how the old habits are disadvantageous, unsatisfactory (incapable of bring lasti...	One starts by seeing with insight the advantage & benefit of giving up those old habits. Initially this would be having a list of rules or code of conduct you try to adhere to.
Why does my mind naturally wander? Before sitting for meditation I got a few strange questions: why does my mind even wander? What does my mind want, and can it ever be satisfied completely? Can anybody please explain this to me? <Q> Every life form is born in the world due to craving. <S> Within life forms, there are ...	The mind wanders due to craving.
Does Buddhism view mind phenomena as chemical or as supernatural? I was once again challenged by my scientific friends: who say that all mind phenomena is just chemical reaction! My question is, how does Buddhist philosophy view this question? I'm leaning towards my science friends' view, after reading A Manual of th...	Buddhism states the arising of consciousness without a physical body & sense organs is impossible ( Upaya Sutta ; Mahatanhasankhaya Sutta ; etc). Thus mind is definitely not chemical, although chemicals activities may relate to the process of thinking. All phenomena is as-is, including sometimes we read in the Sutras d...
What are the benefit of Dhamma in this very life that could be thought to a beginner? Please limit the benefits to here an now, because an ingenious youth hearing the benefit on future rebirth and also hearing hard to grasp concept of karmic stream will surly say that “what’s it in to me what do I care what happen in f...	The benefits of concentration meditation, particularly how it brings a free here-&-now pleasure/happiness that is superior to worldly/sensual happiness. What we sow is what we reap, therefore, we could be in peace with ourselves and what we do and what happen, no one to blame, no unfairness, in fact; in the long test b...
Why do i look sad, while doing things consciously? I have started doing things consciously, i don't want to laugh anymore, i just want to maintain that inner peace felt in doing things meditatively.But people have started asking that "i am looking sad".Should i smile or should i go with the flow, i want to follow Lord ...	Allow yourself to enjoy the work you're doing, smiling and laughing isn't a bad thing. If you look sad, you might just have attached to much to what you're doing, feeling tense and tightened up. When I do things meditatively i usually look like i'm in a trance like state.
How should I spend my day, according to Lord Buddha teachings? According to Lord Buddha teachings, How should a normal employee spend his/her day ? How much time should one meditate? (annapanna or vipassana) ? While sitting in office, how should i sit (sometimes i try to sit as straight as possible, but after 10 minu...	Meditating or other activity in office which might interfere with your duties might not be ethical.
Length of daily meditation (Soto zen) Most Soto Zen sources that I've seen advise daily Zazen, preferably when first rising and before going to bed. However, few make reference to a length of time. The only one I remember says half an hour. At this point I feel like 15 minutes would be a serious challenge (I am a begin...	The most important meditation is during all your activities. It is better to practice 5 minutes daily than 15 minutes only once a week.
How best to accelerate vast accumulation of merits? If the requisites for attaining the path of a stream-enterer is to accumulate merits and having favourable conditions, what are the best ways to gain merits and having all the necessary conditions to achieve this? <Q> Practice Dana . <S> Practice daily meditation a...	Ways to earn merits: Practice the Buddha's teaching. Support the Sangha or better yet, become a Bhikkhu/Bhikkhuni.
Living in the moment without indulging in it I find it difficult to live in the moment or go with the flow as i am reminded of the sense doors and hence am guarded in the present to not to be totally involved in the moment and I miss the flow or to experience the moment as it is. I am trying to follow the zen and the m...	By not getting caught up in thoughts. When cooking, cleaning, exercising, showering, changing clothes, even on the toilet, one can be mindful of the movements of the body involved, creating clear awareness of reality at all times. So to experience the moment what ever sensation from the sense door be equanimous noting ...
Hatred arising after a friend tried to make my fiancé cheat on me Yesterday one of my fiancé's friends had a heart attack at 25 due to alcoholism. She stayed with him all night. When he was discharged she was sleeping at his house because she was too tired to drive home and he made a very aggressive move on her. She ra...	Let go of anger to everybody (including yourself) by realising that all their actions are done due to their ignorance which is an unavoidable part of human existence
What, if anything, do the texts say about habits versus mindulfness? SUMMARY (Note: I searched the group before posting and although there are several questions about habits, none are asking about this specific point. This is close, but it's not the same (and it's framed so as to allow personal opinions which I'm ex...	When genuine 'vipassana' ('insight') occurs, the habitual mental effluents are destroyed via 'disenchantment' (' nibbidā ') & ' dispassion ' (' virāga '), making the mind completely pacified (' nirodha ').
Does Buddha go to Naraka (hell) to save those tormented beings? I heard one regarded by many a Buddhist teacher said, "Buddha will go to Naraka to save those suffering (tormented) beings, whilst those (monks, buddhists) will want to go to the Purelands. That (Buddha going to hell) is called Great Compassion." Is thi...	As far as my study in sutta, Buddha did not go to hell to help beings in that world. Great compassion is the wish that all sentient beings be free from suffering.
Which Buddhists say that there are no conventionally existent wholes, and for what reasons? Which Buddhists say that there are no conventionally existent wholes, and what's the best reason for the claim? My "whole" I mean something more than the sum of its parts, an object that does not reduce to its parts. <Q> In oth...	Any sect of Buddhism which emphasises the emptiness of all things probably says that there are no existent wholes but some sects would say that there are conventionally existent wholes.
what is zen's attitude / teaching on keeping a journal? Not much more to elaborate than just the question. But the website is making me type more stuff. So here it is. <Q> There is no "Zen" attitude about anything. <S> That in itself is not Zen. <S> If someone keeps a journal, then someone keeps a journal. <S> That's a...	Generally it can be wonderful to reflect on and share important special moments. It's not necessary.
Can Cyborg/ Trans-human reach enlightenment? When enlightenment is depended on a Human Body The world is going to a point of no return, with the thirst for materialistic grandeur and power to rule over nature; after the conquered of Oriental by the Occidental. This article talks about Cyborg. Cyborg, Bionic Man, Clon...	Therefore it doesn't seem plausible that a cyborg achieves enlightenment/Nirvana.
What does "ease" mean in the phrase "dharma gate of ease and joy"? What is the "ease" of the "dharma gate of ease and joy"? Can an unelightened person achieve it outside seated meditation? Ought I imagine everything is difficult, or everything is easy? How can we be effortful in our everyday lay tasks? <Q> Dogen mea...	Then there is there is joy, rapture, serenity, mindfulness, alertness, and a pleasant/happy abiding. Even outside of meditation you can experience such a state if you are prepared to discipline yourself as per the scriptures.
Which place is good for vipassana meditation? Please recommend good place for Vipassana meditation for in 2017. Including Availability of visa it does not matter short 7-14 days or long (in months) Vipassana meditation course If it is remote place better It is not book fly and go vacation so manual work or queui...	Blue Mountains Insight Meditation centre - Medlow Bath Australia.
Buddha said "Its better to travel well than to arrive", what does it mean? I am not sure if Buddha said it or not, I was flipping around some Buddha quotes pictures and found an image saying "Its better to travel well than to arrive".can anyone explain What does it mean ?Thanks <Q> “It is better to travel well than to ...	In his quote, "It is better to travel well than to arrive.", Buddha is looking at life as a journey. This is probably not an authentic quote, as Suminda points out, and you should always check with Fake Buddha Quotes when you see such statements attributed to the Buddha on memes etc.
What is The eighth jhana and how can i practice it? I am new to meditation. If i understand correctly there are two types of meditations, Two forms of meditation eight jhanas and vipassana (insight). One thing that capture me and made me want to start meditating was the ability to focus my mind on anything i wish to d...	The eight attainments (atthasmapatti) in meditation (attaining Adhicitta) broadly has two parts - namely, the first four rupa jhanas and the four arupa jhanas. Before getting there you have to practice the 7 leading upto the 8th.
What would Buddhists say about 'pantheism' I take 'pantheism' to be the belief that all our talk about God can resolve into "the world", while retaining the divine status of "God", perhaps because our words about God retain their structure. What would Buddhists say about the idea that the world or universe is God? <Q>...	I think that Buddhists don't assume that there's a "one God".
Breach of second precept Is copying a Dhamma book in hard copy and converting it into a pdf to read on my kindle a breach of the second precept? I am planning only to read it myself and not give it to anyone. I also thought that Dhamma material should be free. Why are people amongst them well known monks and nuns cha...	Also there is no such thing as plagiarism, or plagiarizing when it comes to dhamma. Taking what is not given [stealing] is breaking a precept. So, even if you did not own the copy of the sutra I would think it was okay to copy it.
Will 10,000 hours of Vipasanna be enough for Enlightenment? As studies says 10,000 hours of practice usually makes an expert in your field, be it athletes, musician, doctors, engineers or any profession. So I was wondering if I start doing 10 days course every month and practice 10 hours of meditation daily, so it wi...	It's best not to approach meditation as another skill to master or the dharma as another field where we might gain expertise. Ultimately, there is no upper limit to how much we can sacrifice ourselves.
metta, anxiety, and anger I have been practicing mindful breathing for about one or two sittings a day, and done a few retreats. I have a big problem with metta, even directed at myself. after trying to practice metta I often find myself in a very angered state of mind, even rage, especially at friends for various reas...	From what I know, most instructions don't recommend to start trying to develop metta to someone you have dislike towards, but to start with beings you can easily develop a sense of friendliness towards.
what is logic behind rebirth I was listening to this video, from Bhante Vimalaramsi. He says that one meditator experienced his past live and he had some pscotherapy before this. How is that possible?Buddhist talk about mind stream which flows to another body when a body dies, well what is this mind stream? This is t...	The most valuable evidence Buddhists cite in favor of rebirth is the Buddha, for He developed a knowledge which enabled Him to read past and future lives. When a person dies, no soul departs.
What is the Difference between Desire and Compulsion? What is the difference between desire and compulsion? When do I know that something is a desire and when do I know that something is a compulsion? Can there be compulsion in sexual thoughts even if I have a strong disliking about it? Can a compulsion include sexual...	Compulsion is a kind of desire that you have very little control of.
Saying May God Bless you Recently I encounter a situation where one of my close people and I went see a patient. While we were about to leave the place, my close person said May God Bless you . Me and my close person are both Buddhist. I asked why didn't you say May the triple gem bless you. And close person replied ...	If you feel that by replying "God bless you," (which is personally my own response), this person might experience a sense of comfort, ease, and happiness that would not be experienced otherwise, then there is nothing wrong in saying it.
Mind as a creator All words are creations of mind. How do we explain the mind with the words? So that proves there is something beyond words. That is thoughts. Connected to mind. Are mind and thoughts two different things? Or the same thing? <Q> Is mind and thoughts are two different things? <S> or same thing? <S> Bu...	Neither can explain the other.
why is all of Buddhas past lifes referes to times of kings The title says it all. Why does all the recollections of past lifes of Buddha revolves around times of kings which were similar to the time the Buddha was living. Why aren't there any mention of times that are similar to the times of what we are living right ...	Buddha uses conventions and avoids using words that will distract people from dhamma, as people might want to explore further.
Are Southern Buddhism and Northern Buddhism the same? Regarding the Buddhist ideal model for practitioners, is there any difference between Southern Buddhism and Northern Buddhism? <Q> I could see some similarities in the Theravada Mahayana Doctrines. <S> Mahayana and Theravada Both rejected the idea of a supreme b...	The Paticca-samuppada or the Dependent Origination is the same in both schools. The difference between the two is that an Arahant focuses on his or her personal enlightenment while a Bodhisavatta focuses on the enlightenment of all sentient beings.
How can a person become a real Buddhist? In this society a lot of people say "I'm a Buddhist" but they're just saying that. So my question is, how can a person become a real Buddhist? And how do we know he's a real Buddhist? <Q> You become a real Buddhist when you walk the path of Dhamma. <S> The Buddhist teaching is t...	Maybe it's the Buddha's actual core teaching and those enlightened enough to recognize the Buddha's actual core teaching in the Suttas that is "Real Buddhism".
What will Most Effect in Next Life Done Good or Bad? If some person when he live's on earth His doing 50% good & 50% Bad things (theatrically). after he died what will Happen to him in next life. 1st will he effected with his good things he done in Past or bad things? <Q> In balance of probability his last though may b...	If one has big enough karma either good or bad to carry through afterlife, it will surely be carried through.
Do Buddhists need affection, physical touch or intimacy? I am interested in learning about Buddhism, and there are a lot of questions. I wonder (since it seems to me Buddhists are quite independent, and they don't attach that much to people or things) what about like if they did have families or friends or wives or hus...	Buddhists who are well grounded in Dhamma do have intimacy. As for "living without affection" there are attitudes which I think are recommended by Buddhism and which are like affection (perhaps these are affection, or perhaps they're a good substitute for or alternative to affection), for example kindness, benevolence,...
Am I approaching samadhi properly? The problem: I've encountered some confusion about the differences between samadhi and vipassana, as would seem to be a frequent problem amongst beginners. This confusion was only worsened by my having a Zen master tell me that my practice was vipassana, and that I should just contin...	Counting the breath is effective for a number of reasons. While samadhi is developed, seeing clearly the impermanence (appearance, disappearance, appearance, disappearance) of each breath is vipassana.
How to become a better decision maker? What are some Buddhist practices which would make someone a better decision maker? Does Sila improve the right view thus enabling better decisions, thoughts? <Q> All 3: <S> Sila <S> Samadhi <S> Panna helps towards better decision making. <S> Sila bring moral angle int...	Developing your inner sensitivity as much as you can, you are able to make sure your decisions are going in the right direction.
Did I get into a Jhana state? I was meditating. I was using classical music as my object of meditation. I know some don't approve of that but it's REALLY relaxing, especially while meditating. Anyway, as I was meditating the music became... so much more clear. I really can't explain it. It's like I had cheap headphon...	If you can not experience whatever you experienced again and easily, it is a sign that it is not a jhana. No, it was not jhana.
Lies as self defence vs. Physical self defence Why is a lie for the purposes of self defence necessarily unwholesome? Why is using a lie as defence for another from attack considered parajeeka for a monk when a monk can use physical self defence and it's not parajeeka? Why can't a monk misrepresent reality(lie) for se...	If the intention to deceive is not there then there is no unwholesome.
Is the term "Everything happens for a reason" appropriate? In terms of Buddhist thought Is this accurate? It doesn't seem to jive with cause and effect which is more often referenced. <Q> The issue concerns the way you understand the statement <S> "Everything happens for a reason", since 'reason' has various meanings....	Nothing happens for a reason.
Journaling for Buddhist laypeople I've been working on creating a (digital) diary application for Buddhist laypeople and would like to ask this community for ideas about what can be written about in a journal like this which would be valuable for improving well-being and spiritual growth Here some ideas that I've g...	Also it increases memory to study and remember the Dhamma. Mistakes made Lessons learned (from practice and/or from study) Upcoming meetings (scheduled in the future) Questions to be asked or topics to discuss (scheduled in the future)
What are the similarities between quantum physics and buddism? What are the similarities between modern physics/quantum physics and Buddism?Although i know little about this, like Budha said that conciousness creates everything, emptyness and dependent origination kind of things. What are other things that matches with...	While both seem to look at the same things, Quantum mechanics has a different objective from that of Buddhism.
How do we determine when to use logic and reason in Buddhism? How do we better determine when it is time to use logic and reason and when it is a time to just see things as they are? Note: We don't have to disclose the specific kind of meditation that we practice but it might make our answers less ambiguous -metta <Q>...	Until you "see things as they are " through full understanding of the Four Noble truths, you have to use logic and reason to reach full understanding of things of the Four Noble Truths.
Which Living Ajahns are considered to be Arahants today? After the era of the well known Thai Bhikkhus like Ajahn Mun, Ajahn Tate, Ajahn Maha Boowa, Ajahn Waen and Ajahn Chah; Which Ajahns are considered as Arahants or Highly developed Meditators,in these days? (I'm asking this not to arouse curiosity of others, but to...	So, basically nobody could definitively identify an Arahant today.
Which is the best posture to Practice meditation? Does any one know, which is the best posture to be assumed for practicing meditation? <Q> Bhikkhus, the bhikkhu following the practice of my Teaching, having gone to the forest, or to the foot of a tree or to an empty, solitary place, sits down cross-legged, keeping hi...	There isn't a 'best posture' for meditation (although I have a yoga book which attributes all sorts of special mystical powers to the full lotus). The best posture is the one that's best for you, that gives you a stable base (knees and buttocks) and
How do you handle a begar who want to stay in your temple? As a monk how would you handle a homeless person who wants to stay in your temple?If you are not a monk just give the hypothetical answer based on your present knowledge assuming you are a monk. <Q> I used to manage certain affairs of a monastery. <S> I once ga...	As a monk, I will have empathy towards this homeless person and welcome him to the temple, in understanding and sharing my experiences and emotions with him.
Its been said that deep meditationl leads a meditator to another world, what is this another world actually? I have heard that when a meditator does a long meditation, he is able to enter into different world, see and hear that world. What are those? Are they just illusion, imagination or different universe? <Q> What i...	In Pali Buddhism, the word 'world' ('loka') refers to different mental states.
Why does Guan Yin ride a dragon? Someone had once asked here "Why is Kwan Yin riding a sea turtle?", but what I'm more curious about is why is she seen on a dragon? There are many images or the Bodhisattva riding a dragon, one I posted being but one example. But who/what is the dragon? Is there a story behind it? I've ...	A Chinese dragon is esteemed (a symbol of the emperor), and "traditionally symbolize potent and auspicious powers, particularly control over water, rainfall, typhoons, and floods", also prosperity and good luck and so on, rulers of weather and water. All traditional Chinese art is symbolic, for everything that is paint...
Did Buddha Return to Extreme Asceticism? Subject sounds simple, but let me explain why I'm asking. So Gautama joined the ascetic lifestyle and lived it to the most extreme. Then it dawned on him that he would eventually die never finding out the cause/solution to suffering. Accounts I've seen then vary: He then got up...	There are core teachings of the Buddha's that he repeated many times in many different ways.
Citta Vithi in Abhidhamma There is a chapter under citta vithi in Abhidhammattha Sangaha. In which of the seven books in Abhidhamma this concept appear? <Q> As you mentioned, Chapter IV of the Sangaha describes citta vithi. <S> The Visuddhimagga includes many partial references (look under "cognitive series" in the ind...	Citta Vithi and Javana are found in the Abhidhamma Commentaries but not in the Abhidhamma Pitaka.
What is fruition in Buddhism? I see it everywhere in my book on jhana. but don't truly understand it's meaning or even find a definition. <Q> Fruition is more related to the 4 stages of sainthood . <S> This is realising of the fruit (Pala) of practice. <S> What his means is you realized the path. <A> Fruition is more ...	Fruition is a significant milestone in the practice of Dhamma. The moment of fruition is the understood experience and results in a turned-around vision of existence. In layman term to make clear, if one go to a retreat home/dwelling, the entrance to the dwelling is the path(magga) and the dwelling where one(stream-ent...
Meditation is a struggle When I wake up in the morning I don't feel like meditating straight away. I usually feel heavy and drowsy. So I have some breakfast and coffee and then I will sit. This morning I tried to sit for an hour as soon as I woke up but it was really difficult. My mind was not clear at all. Not sure I ...	Don't stress yourself trying to do those meditations uselessly. Best is try to keep you mind and practice steady. Myself, I like to go for a walk.
What are the prescribed objects for the development of jhāna? Can i have a list "If there is one" of the different objects for building up the first jhana? <Q> Saṅkhitta Dhamma Sutta mentions the Jhana can be developed through: <S> 4 Satipatthana 4 Brahmavihara Kaya,gatā,sati Sutta mentioned that Jhana contempl...	I think Jhana developed through 4 Satipatthana in combination with 4 Brahmavihara would be the best approach. Though not explicitly mentioned Anapanasati Sutta , breath meditation also can be used. There are people who attain ‘anariya jhanas’ or ‘mundane jhanas by focusing the mind on any thought object (vitakka) that ...
Is suffering caused by oneself, others, by both, or spontaneous? According to popular belief of Karma, suffering is caused by oneself. I would like to know: Is one's own suffering caused by oneself? Is one's own suffering caused by others? Is one's own suffering caused by both oneself and others? Is one's ow...	The suffering we create for ourselves, according to Buddhism is not spontaneous, in the sense of arising by itself, but has a cause, which is our ignorance.
Is this considered insight? I have noticed during formal meditation and also off the cushion that everything can be broken down into what seems like an infinite amount of moments. For example when swallowing I can notice so many things such as the saliva build up, the intention to swallow, the sucking motion drawing ...	Insight will refine and change with time.
Is this what is nimitta is? From my understanding, The nimitta are signs you should be looking for during your jhana meditation. Like once your focusing on your visual object you will notice a white light. Thats a sign your entering acess concentration. Or you may notice your breathing becoming very faint. Thats anothe...	You should not be looking for anything or doing anything besides focusing on the meditation object.
Has a teacher referred to sleep as a form of 'lazy nirvana'? The other night at a group meditation meeting, I mentioned to another practitioner that sleep is a 'lazy form of Nirvana'. My memory tells me that Tara Brach or another teacher jokingly referred to sleep in that way, but after looking on Google, I can't fin...	In sleep, the mental defilements of an non-fully-enlightened mind remain dormant as "underlying tendencies". There are some Zen koans that allegorically refer to this.
Focus on the object or nimitta? Once I reach a nimitta during jhana meditation, do I then move focus to it or keep in the object? Do I ignore the nimitta, or is it one of those things that is very hard to ignore? <Q> I presume that your object is the breath, crossing the anapana spot (under the nostrils, on the upper l...	Nimitta cannot be ignored in jhana because the nimitta itself is one-pointedness ( ekaggatā ), where the mind ( citta ) itself becomes the nimitta & the mind is glued unmoving to the nimitta.
Verses and lines of dedication of merits: Does one like to share traditional and personal verbal ways? Ven. members of the Sangha (coming across here),Valued Upasaka, Upasika,Valued Team here and for awakening seeking readers, whether young or old, lay person or ordained, since child one would be trained in generosity...	There are several textual sources regarding what is appropriate for dedication - in general one may dedicate ones' actions any way one may wish, but then the behaviour does not lead to liberation, and is therefore not Dharma activity, unless the dedication is in line with Dharma activity.
A good website for Mahayana texts? The classical canon gets good coverage with suttacentral and accesstoinsight, but I was wondering if there was such a website for Mahayana writings. (Post-canon writings diverge and become extensive, meaning different translators, copyrights etc, but if something relatively comprehens...	Within a specific sect or tradition, some sects have fantastic online documents, such as SGI's Nichiren library.
Doubt in Soul and sects Metta, According to Buddhism, the soul is absent but karma is there. How it's possible without Soul, Karma would present. After the death, due to the karma of a person, he will rebirth. If the soul is absent how he will take rebirth. 2nd doubt, In Buddhism there are 2 Sects. In Hinayana - Acce...	The Buddha's message was one of the middle ground - neither 'Exists', nor 'does not Exist' are valid constructs for examining experience.
Why are children represented as inessential in some Buddhist text? There are multiple question related to this already asked, but none of the response or question address as to why children are presented in Buddhist text as inessential, such as these: … That is not a strong fetter, the wise say, which is made of iron...	Parents are more attached to their offspring than anything else in the world. If you want to become a monk or nun, obviously children are an obstacle as long as they're young.
Why do Buddhism monk hits people in the head? i saw this video on facebook and youtube , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHDp1GbzE4o and they're writing on it in arabic "الرقية الشرعية عند البوذيين "witch means "the buddhism's Exorcism" i want to know if this is really a buddhism exorcism . if not , what is it ? <Q> ...	Touching a living being in aversion, beating, is a violation of the precepts.
What's the Buddhist view of fostering pets? What's the Buddhist view of fostering a pet? <Q> It is good karma to save a living being's life, which is what you do when you take care of one. <S> Fostering is better than buying one, because when you foster a pet, you don't encourage inbreeding and other abuses that hap...	At the present lot of monks(at Mahayana)practice fostering pet.
In the future how many Buddhas will be born? In our world, (Earth) there were 28 Buddha born with Gautama Buddha. Some people say that Maitreya Buddha is the 29th & last Buddha. My question is, in the future how many Buddhas will born. <Q> There are infinite number into the past and infinite number to the future. <S>...	For your information::,According to teravada they say its 28 buddhas , In mahayana , they say 1000 buddhas .
How do Buddhists handle mental illness such as depression or bipolar disorder? How is mental health dealt with by Bhuddists? Is it believed to be a tangible issue e.g. imbalances of chemicals in the brain? Or an issue of the spirit (not sure if spirit is the right word)? Is treatment with western medicine (i.e. antid...	Although the term ' mental illness ' is generally used in the world, imbalances of chemicals or neural structures in the brain are really forms of physical illness. It is like when we have a flu, we see a doctor, take medication and rest.
Is realizing anatta, will it help meditation? If i realise anatta will it help me calm and focus my mind in meditation? If so how? <Q> Eliminating self-view (first realisation of Anatta) is the pre-requisite becoming a Sotapanna. <S> There is two type of meditation. <S> (Samatha and Vipassana)Realisation of Anatta is n...	My personal opinion is that realisation of Anatta will help both meditations.
Permanent brain damage can cause someone to loose their Arihathness? Brain is directory connected to mind. Examining the differences of wave patterns that emit from brain when someone is mad or meditating explains there is a direct connection. What if someone achieved nirvana or a lower state of the path to nirvana, an...	It depends on whether there are defilements in the mind or not.
What the Buddha saw In a book I am reading it says "This is what the Buddha realized by examining himself. With his strongly concentrated mind, he penetrated deeply into his own nature and found that the entire material structure is composed of minute subatomic particles which are continuously arising and vanishing. ...	Only a Buddha could see to such a level of detail, and see through the minute subatomic particles which are continuously arising and vanishing.
What is the concept of "Ego" or "self "? What is the concept of "Ego" or "self "?In buddhism there's concept called no self.Does is mean there's no "me" at all or does it mean that "me" cannot understood with out " you ". <Q> The Buddhist concept is not no self but <S> non self or not self . <S> What this means i...	There is no permanent unchanging core or soul, there is nothing which you command and control absolutely, there is nothing that an external agency (e.g. God) commands and controls.
Has Sādhna ( Meditation practice) with closed eyes more benefits than with open? Nowadays, I've been practicing Vipassana (Sometimes anaapan) with open eyes since I instantly start feeling sensations almost everywhere in my body including flesh & organs when I draw my attention there. Actually, I haven't fixed proper t...	Then with time you will see a change in yourself, a sense of tranquility, a “peace of mind”.
Does any/every form of lying violate the precept of "not-lying"? What if one thought it wiser to tell a lie, because the truth could potentially endanger one's own life? For instance, someone might lie that they believe in a supreme being, in reply to a question being asked by their parents who have strong faith. This...	Staying silent does not break your vow. The motivation DOES make a difference to the karma of an action.
Can one's karma be affected by the karma of another? Can one person's karma be affected by the karma of another person or other persons? <Q> The short answer is “Yes”… Olivia Glad,… because the others provide the grounds, the right conditions for a kamma to bear fruit. <S> How this comes to pass needs some explanation....	No one could change their inclination to act.
What are benefits of being bald? Monks are bald because as I read somewhere that when person is bald he looks unattractive and so no one else attract towards it. So what are other benefits to being bald either for monks or layman? <Q> It helps to identify you socially as a monk (as does the uniform clothing), so that p...	-No hair is easier to handle and clean.
What does the term 'Sammasambuddha' mean? Buddhists, from children to monks, chant the following homage to the Buddha: Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa What does the term ' sammasambuddhasa ' mean? <Q> W...	The Buddha himself said that the best way to pay homage to him is to learn Dhamma and to follow the Path. The widely practiced translations of it take the following forms: “Homage to the Blessed One, the Worthy (Exalted) One, the supremely (fully) Enlightened One!”
The Conditions of Lying in Fiction I'm a writer, and I tend to write parts of factual information, such as insights or impressions, mixed with other fictional aspects. Therefore, I am worried about what constitutes a lie, and what isn't. My intention is never to deceive, but I feel others may gather things in my writin...	For something to be a lie the following conditions must be fulfilled.

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