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1500 questions
9
votes
2 answers
What is the difference between a cula sotapanna and 'faith follower' ?
I have read in many places about Cula Sotapanna or 'Lesser Sotapanna' and 'Faith Follower'. Are they the same or different? Do both of them attain to Sotapatti phala in the same lifetime?
seeker
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8
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4 answers
Was the doctrine of 'Anatta', accepted as doctrine by modern Buddhism, actually taught by the Buddha?
Understanding of 'Anatta' is key to so much Buddhist meditation practice and philosophy that I've been exposed to but (call me conservative) I gain great confidence when the Buddha himself had something direct to say about the term / concept. There…
Devindra
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8
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3 answers
Attainment of enlightenment without desire
The Noble Truths make us aware that the cause of suffering is desire. Isn't it a desire to become enlightened and attain Nirvana; thus, causes suffering? If you drop the desire, will it be possible to attain Nirvana, or for that matter, do anything…
user5380
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8
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4 answers
Which are considered to be the oldest suttas?
Though I've seen dating of mahayana suttas here and there in passing with some analysis, I understand the pali canon has suttas of many ages. For example, one collection I've often heard to contain many old suttas is the Itivuttaka.
However, I've…
user382
8
votes
4 answers
Is "Fake it 'til you make it" an acceptable Buddhist behavior?
Does Buddhist psychology view the concept of "fake it 'til you make it" as an acceptable social behavior (eg, cheerful behavior rather than stressed behavior, or calm behavior rather than emotional behavior)?
For example, I recently attended my…
PaPa
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8
votes
6 answers
In the Anapanasati Sutta, what is the difference between mind and mental processes?
The book Breath by Breath by Larry Rosenberg splits the Anapanasati Sutta into 4 tetrads. The wildmind website does a similar thing. In the second tetrad there is a verse that is rendered
He trains himself to breathe in sensitive to mental…
Crab Bucket
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8
votes
6 answers
My thoughts don't happen to other people so why are they 'not mine'?
Considering the five aggregates and the sense in which they are all not-self. Thoughts (samskāra) are one of the five aggregates so they too are 'not me' or 'not mine'. In one sense this is a statement which accords with my own experience while on…
Crab Bucket
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8
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3 answers
Are practical solutions to everyday suffering that contradict Buddhism Upaya or avidya?
If we are caught in the great web of desire and aversion, and are roiling in Samsara, helpful or well meaning advise (to let go, to be in the moment, to inspect the emptiness of reality, to not indulge in distractions, to not follow emotions…
Buddho
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8
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1 answer
What is the difference between 'hard' and 'soft' Jhanas?
I have on a few occasions come across the distinction between a 'hard' and 'soft' Jhana and would like to know what the experiential distinction between these two terms might be.
Devindra
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8
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5 answers
How do animals attain enlightenment?
The Wikipedia article on animals in Buddhism states that animals have Buddha nature, and therefore have potential for enlightenment. I do not dispute this as I sit here petting my cat, but wonder - what are the actual mechanics of how they might go…
Jeff Wright
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8
votes
8 answers
How is Nibbana unconditioned?
It is often said that Nibbana is unconditioned. But isn't Nibbana to be attained through practice of the Noble Eightfold Path (abandoning desire, meditation, realizing paticcasamuppada etc)? Aren't those practices conditions for Nibbana? What am I…
fxam
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8
votes
3 answers
How does one escape suffering when they cannot provide for those they love
Taoism and Buddhism say we should distance our self from suffering and accept life as is if we cannot change it. But what if we have serious clinical depression or cannot provide properly for those we care about?
It is easy to distance when your…
Anoop Alex
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8
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3 answers
Why is the first lines of the Dhammapada twin verses sometimes translated using the word 'heart'?
In most of the translations of the Dhammapada I have read the first lines of the Twin Verses (first chapter) are rendered using the words mind or thoughts. For instance this translation by Buddharakkhita
Mind precedes all mental states. Mind is…
Crab Bucket
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8
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7 answers
What Bad Karma Awaits Adulterers?
Will they get to suffer in hell? I am trying to find out more about their fate..I know that if you get angry a lot you get reborn ugly..But what happens to people who cheat on you??Will they get cheated on in a future life?Or will a worser fate…
Orion
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8
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4 answers
If one's inner monologue stops forever, is one necessarily an arahant?
Question in the title. I'm looking for answers citing either canonical scripture or the position of any particular school of Buddhism.
The inner monologue in the question could also be read as mental chatter; mental noise; superfluous thoughts;…
Anthony
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