Search found 14 matches

by seaturtle
Fri Jul 26, 2013 11:24 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Seeking help with sutta study guide
Replies: 11
Views: 2854

Re: Seeking help with sutta study guide

Here are the suttas I chose to discuss the second, third and fourth noble truths. 3. SN 3.23 discusses the three poisons (unwholesome roots) as the source of stress. The second truth is craving is the origin of Dukkha. One source of confusion here is to think that all desire is a form of craving. Th...
by seaturtle
Wed Jul 24, 2013 3:31 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Seeking help with sutta study guide
Replies: 11
Views: 2854

Re: Seeking help with sutta study guide

Thanks all. The book by Sharda Rogell looks interesting. I like her writing style. I've listened to a talk or two by her but did not realize she had written any books. Thanks, too, for the info on the center in Carmel, NY. I actually just moved back to Saratoga in May. I lived in Wyoming for the pas...
by seaturtle
Wed Jul 24, 2013 12:23 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Seeking help with sutta study guide
Replies: 11
Views: 2854

Re: Seeking help with sutta study guide

Holdan - I may not have phrased my distiction clearly. The goal is simply to avoid a long discussion on translations or words. Anyway, below are the first two. They may help clarify what I am trying to do, or then again, maybe not. 1. SN 56.48 is about human birth and how rare being born human is. T...
by seaturtle
Sun Jul 21, 2013 6:30 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Seeking help with sutta study guide
Replies: 11
Views: 2854

Seeking help with sutta study guide

In studying the suttas I recently began journaling on the suttas I was reading. Out of this journal I created a study guide and would like to get some feedback on it, in part to check my own understanding and in part to see if it is something anyone else may find useful. It differs a bit from what I...
by seaturtle
Thu Jul 11, 2013 1:35 am
Forum: Study Group
Topic: AN 10.92: Vera Sutta — Animosity
Replies: 24
Views: 6337

Re: AN 10.92: Vera Sutta — Animosity

In regard to the question about fear and animosity, I agree that interpreting the statement as a criteria for the severity of breaches to the precepts is a complicated interpretation. I don't read the loophole, that is I don't think the Buddha was suggesting that it is possible to break the precepts...
by seaturtle
Fri Jul 05, 2013 10:02 pm
Forum: Study Group
Topic: SN 55.40: Nandiya Sutta — To Nandiya
Replies: 5
Views: 2266

Re: SN 55.40: Nandiya Sutta — To Nandiya

That passage sounds directed specifically to monastics. Do you think in the context of SN 55.40 seclusion carries the same meaning? More broadly, how do we know which of the Buddha's words are to be taken literally and which need to be interpreted? Or do we always assume we should take the Buddha's ...
by seaturtle
Fri Jul 05, 2013 8:19 pm
Forum: Study Group
Topic: SN 55.40: Nandiya Sutta — To Nandiya
Replies: 5
Views: 2266

Re: SN 55.40: Nandiya Sutta — To Nandiya

When I read this sutta I am left with the question of what is meant by exerting oneself in solitude by day and seclusion by night. Knowing the importance of sangha and spiritual friendship, and knowing that the Buddha had many lay devotees still engaged in household life I am tempted to think these ...
by seaturtle
Mon Jul 01, 2013 9:45 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: UU Buddhist Fellowship
Replies: 1
Views: 1112

UU Buddhist Fellowship

Is anyone familiar with the UU Buddhist Fellowship? I'd like to find a family friendly sangha, but most groups focus on silent meditation - not something my 3 year old is especially interested in - and few offer nursery care for children. I've been exploring the Unitarian church, since they welcome ...
by seaturtle
Sun Jun 30, 2013 12:04 pm
Forum: Study Group
Topic: AN 7.51: Avyakata Sutta — Undeclared
Replies: 9
Views: 3508

Re: AN 7.51: Avyakata Sutta — Undeclared

I try to approach the suttas from the angle of, how do I apply this to my life. When I first read this post the the connection to right view was clear, but sometimes it feels like changing views is kind of like changing taste preferences. It can't just be done at will.  Going through my collection o...
by seaturtle
Sun Jun 23, 2013 12:01 am
Forum: Study Group
Topic: SN 55.24: Sarakaani Sutta — Sarakaani (Who Took to Drink)
Replies: 6
Views: 4235

Re: SN 55.24: Sarakaani Sutta — Sarakaani (Who Took to Drink

I am not a scholar, and this is a sutta I find inspiring but have not though much about, so my interpretation may be uninformed. I tend to think that focusing on the use of alcohol is too narrow. The tone of the opening comments and the way the Buddha focused on the attainment of stream entry and no...
by seaturtle
Sat Jun 22, 2013 9:32 pm
Forum: Study Group
Topic: SN 55.24: Sarakaani Sutta — Sarakaani (Who Took to Drink)
Replies: 6
Views: 4235

Re: SN 55.24: Sarakaani Sutta — Sarakaani (Who Took to Drink

I wanted to comment on this sutta because I recently began studying the suttas by collecting ones that inspire me and journaling on them. This is one I like but haven't written about yet. I study the suttas as a way to develop faith and this sutta fits the theme. This sutta talks about stream-entry,...
by seaturtle
Sun Apr 14, 2013 2:21 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Steve Armstrong
Replies: 7
Views: 2318

Re: Steve Armstrong

Thanks. Looks like a fairly new talk. I like listening to some of the retreats Steve teaches at, like this one http://www.dharmaseed.org/retreats/784/. The first talk by Steve that really stuck with me was this one http://www.dharmaseed.org/teacher/170/talk/6793/ and it had a little bit about how he...
by seaturtle
Fri Apr 12, 2013 2:20 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Steve Armstrong
Replies: 7
Views: 2318

Re: Steve Armstrong

Hi Buckwheat. I just joined this forum recently. Steve Armstrong is also in my lineup of dharma talks I listen to regularly. I don't know much about Mahasi Sayadaw. I listen to some of his more recent talks - I can share links if you'd like, and from listening to his talks I learnt about Sayadaw U T...
by seaturtle
Thu Apr 11, 2013 4:06 am
Forum: Introductions
Topic: Hello All
Replies: 5
Views: 1199

Hello All

Just wanted to take a minute to introduce myself. I've been studying and practicing Buddhism for nearly four years now, mainly through listening to talks found on Dharmaseed. Most recently I have been reading Dhamma Everywhere by Sayadaw U Tejaniya. I hope to be active in this forum, but I have two ...