Search found 44 matches

by nem
Fri Nov 22, 2013 6:50 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: What do you guys think about my understanding of kamma?
Replies: 9
Views: 2500

Re: What do you guys think about my understanding of kamma?

From my meditation and sutta study, all I learned that was there is nothing to gain. If I seek to improve kamma, or attain nibanna..it would just be emptiness. But also, I know, I came to the dhamma, because of being involved with a person, who burned me with the fires of infinite lifetimes in hells...
by nem
Fri Nov 22, 2013 6:33 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Merits
Replies: 7
Views: 2286

Re: Merits

fivebells wrote:As long as you still have a concept of self, that is the self to which the merit will accrue.
Thank you for such a concise response. Obviously there is a lot of deluson of a self in the author of this post..otherwise "I" would not feel the need to be on Dhammawheel. :) !!!!
by nem
Fri Nov 22, 2013 6:24 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Merits
Replies: 7
Views: 2286

Merits

Friends in the dhamma, Will you please explain to me, your understanding of the concept how a being can accrue merits or give merits to other beings? I am confused about this aspect, because of anatta. I am without the ability to see how there is a self, to accrue merits. If we believe what the Budd...
by nem
Sun Nov 10, 2013 3:17 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Building a donation based community
Replies: 4
Views: 2508

Re: Building a donation based community

Since you asked if we would like to join... When I began to attend various Sri Lankan communities of practice, I had such ideas. Wouldn't it be better if we dropped all the things like chanting and why do these people do prostrations to the monks and the Buddha rupa? I thought, it was corny. Now, af...
by nem
Tue Jul 23, 2013 6:42 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Aversion from work - how to stop that
Replies: 7
Views: 2237

Re: Aversion from work - how to stop that

If you have aversion from meditation, I recommend that you get a copy of Ajahn Sumedho's book 'The sound of silence" and study the chapters on contemplation of the body. Also, if you research on the net, these talks are available for free in pdf under a different title that I don't remember bec...
by nem
Thu Jun 27, 2013 5:15 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Is marriage a path to Nibbana?
Replies: 53
Views: 13219

Re: Is marriage a path to Nibbana?

i was married 'officially'' for a decade, and now I have been seperated for 2 years after that. So, my thoughts and experience: I think maybe, marriage and family is really the true proving ground for the realization of Anatta. Although I respect the Buddha and the Sangha immensely for the teachings...
by nem
Thu Jun 13, 2013 3:08 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Prostration
Replies: 10
Views: 3872

Prostration

I'd like your thoughts on the subject of prostration. When I attend my local Buddhist center for meditation, I do the 5 point prostration 3 times to the triple gem before meditation. As a matter of respect. I learned the value and meaning of this by practicing at a Sri Lankan monastery a little bit....
by nem
Mon Jun 10, 2013 5:14 pm
Forum: Ordination and Monastic Life
Topic: Ordination in the US Monastery...?
Replies: 3
Views: 2358

Re: Ordination in the US Monastery...?

With regard to Bhavana Society, there is a progression of practice to ordination. First living there as a layperson for at least a year, then becoming anagarika for an indeterminate period of time, then progressing to novice for at least a year, etc. So it's a long process to ordination. If you are ...
by nem
Sat Jun 01, 2013 6:48 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Defilements and the old me
Replies: 5
Views: 2329

Re: Defilements and the old me

If you check out the website of Bhavana Society, Bhante G has given at least this talk on elimination of asavas by restraint. Maybe they have more there in the list. I find it interesting, like others said, Bhante focuses on the idea that defilements or asavas are not-self..they were cooked into &qu...
by nem
Sat Jun 01, 2013 6:05 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: What role do "mystical experiences" play in practice?
Replies: 18
Views: 5260

Re: What role do "mystical experiences" play in practice?

I experienced, during breath meditation, what seemed to be going directly to the second jhana without ever passing through the first. And then later, the first jhana during another session. It was mystical to me and then I understood the idea of clinging to the jhanas being a danger, because in the ...
by nem
Fri May 10, 2013 5:31 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Practices to find and/or eliminate clinging
Replies: 11
Views: 3022

Practices to find and/or eliminate clinging

What practices do you use, to eliminate clinging other than meditation? I listened to a talk of Ajahn Brahm a few months ago, wherein we visualize ourselves with 2 suitcases, one in each hand. One is the past and one is the future. We simply visualize setting both of those on the floor, and we can l...
by nem
Fri May 10, 2013 4:04 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Why the emphasis on voidness and passing away?
Replies: 19
Views: 6417

Re: Why the emphasis on voidness and passing away?

I seem to sense an emphasis on the negative in alot of buddhism. The emphasis on voidness and impermanence and things passing away.... does it seem to anyone else that there is an emphasis on the negative? I suggest the book "I give you my life" by Ayya Khema. There are concrete real life...
by nem
Fri May 10, 2013 3:40 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Finding dhamma friends?
Replies: 11
Views: 4825

Re: Finding dhamma friends?

You could start a sutta study group on Meetup.com. Then use the following to study some suttas with people: http://leighb.com/studygid.htm http://www.shardarogell.com/rsu_docs/pressingoutpurehoney.pdf I have a Theravada center near to me, but they focus more on the ritual, as well as feel good and l...
by nem
Fri Apr 05, 2013 3:32 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: The Benefits & Drawbacks of Pali
Replies: 181
Views: 35103

Re: The Problem With Pali

I've been going through Bhikkhu Bodhi's systematic study of the Majjhima Nikaya. Of course, BB has produced a translation of Majjhima Nikaya that many of us refer to. But even he states in his systematic study of his expansion and revision based on Nanamoli's translation,today known as The Middle Le...
by nem
Sat Mar 30, 2013 6:53 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: A friend in the dhamma
Replies: 24
Views: 5735

Re: A friend in the dhamma

Thanks for the replies. David hit it spot-on, probably many of us are looking for mates that are a little less materialistic. I was married for a decade to someone less materialistic than those I am seeing now. But unfortunately she had anger and jealousy issues.. so, it's one thing or another.. Pil...