Search found 76 matches

by Dr. Dukkha
Sat May 30, 2015 3:18 am
Forum: Theravāda for Beginners
Topic: How is denying yourself desire supposed to remove desire?
Replies: 19
Views: 4447

Re: How is denying yourself desire supposed to remove desire?

First find out what is meant by "desire". Lobha is the main pali word. And lobha can be the slightest feeling of like to deep attachment. Next the path is gradual right? So what kinds of lobha are first eliminated? The type associated with wrong view and with self view. The types associat...
by Dr. Dukkha
Fri May 29, 2015 10:52 pm
Forum: Theravāda for Beginners
Topic: How is denying yourself desire supposed to remove desire?
Replies: 19
Views: 4447

How is denying yourself desire supposed to remove desire?

I ask this question understanding it is delusional and misinformed and I've come here to be corrected. If I resist things (and someone will say you don't resist, but I need it explained simpler), than won't that make my desire stronger? I understand that mindfulness will help me understand that I sh...
by Dr. Dukkha
Thu May 21, 2015 3:25 am
Forum: Sīla
Topic: How to ease into Buddhist morality?
Replies: 14
Views: 3875

Re: How to ease into Buddhist morality?

Thank you all for your lovely answers. However, I am slightly confused. My local Theravadin monk says not to meditate until I have great morality. But Bhante Gunaratana says to not expect to be more moral until after practicing meditation regularly. I'm not sure what opinion to follow but I feel clo...
by Dr. Dukkha
Sun May 17, 2015 10:14 pm
Forum: Sīla
Topic: How to ease into Buddhist morality?
Replies: 14
Views: 3875

How to ease into Buddhist morality?

Personal Morality Questions How do I begin to be a more moral, selfless person? How to ease into the five precepts. I take food that belongs to my sisters because of lack of self-control and eat a bunch of junk food uncontrolably. I lie because I like to exagurate things and give half-truths. I comm...
by Dr. Dukkha
Sat Mar 21, 2015 6:29 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Witchcraft?
Replies: 13
Views: 3958

Re: Witchcraft?

Many practitioners of witchcraft don't practice witchcraft for "protection", but in order to cause positive change in the world. I think metta and karuna are more effective for positive change in the world. Civil engineering, medicine, and education have a good track record, too. The sarc...
by Dr. Dukkha
Sat Mar 21, 2015 4:52 pm
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge
Replies: 433
Views: 153576

Re: The Dhamma Wheel Meditation Challenge

Does anyone else have a retreat experience like this?

http://oneshrinksperspective.com/2013/0 ... on-course/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
by Dr. Dukkha
Sat Mar 21, 2015 1:23 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Karma and Mental Illness
Replies: 15
Views: 9630

Re: Karma and Mental Illness

I feel like there's too much gray area with mental illness. I'm considered to have a mental illness and I've done stuff like hitting walls and breaking things but it was done intentionally, or at least half-intentionally. I don't know how this could exactly be measured.
by Dr. Dukkha
Tue Mar 10, 2015 1:43 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: the great rebirth debate
Replies: 7539
Views: 1326969

Hell?

Do you go to hell in the form of a human or an animal? And do you keep your memories from that previous life? If so, how do you if your brain doesn't come with you?

I guess hell being a mental state makes the most sense, but please correct me if I'm wrong.
by Dr. Dukkha
Sun Mar 08, 2015 8:38 pm
Forum: Ordination and Monastic Life
Topic: Daily schedule as a monk
Replies: 3
Views: 3174

Re: Daily schedule as a monk

8:30 AM - 10:45 AM Work period 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Work Period Now the Abbot, Bhante G, and the vice-Abbot, Bhante Seelananda, generally follow the schedule but they are often doing skype teachings and talking to visitors and the like, so their days are a bit more varied and busy. The younger monks f...
by Dr. Dukkha
Mon Dec 01, 2014 1:24 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: the great rebirth debate
Replies: 7539
Views: 1326969

Re: the great rebirth debate

How do you guys even live with the idea of going to hell in your mind? I've been flipping out for the past few months because of this whole hell business. How do you all cope with this idea of hell and what would cause someone to end up there? How can I avoid it?
by Dr. Dukkha
Sun Nov 30, 2014 1:54 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Doing Evil Knowingly and Unknowingly
Replies: 5
Views: 3457

Re: Doing Evil Knowingly and Unknowingly

Mkoll wrote:
Dhp 163 wrote:Easy to do are things that are bad and harmful to oneself. But exceedingly difficult to do are things that are good and beneficial.
True that. But I'll try my best.
by Dr. Dukkha
Sat Nov 29, 2014 3:39 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Doing Evil Knowingly and Unknowingly
Replies: 5
Views: 3457

Re: Doing Evil Knowingly and Unknowingly

Does anyone ever feel that being a good person is HARD WORK? Don't get me wrong, I find being a skillful person to bear much fruit, but having to say only agreeable things, and thinking thoughts that are composed of non-hate; it's hard work being positive and loving all the time! Let's discuss this!...
by Dr. Dukkha
Sat Nov 29, 2014 3:26 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: If samsara is beginning-less, why are we not all enlightened
Replies: 28
Views: 5376

Re: If samsara is beginning-less, why are we not all enlight

If we existed for infinite amount of time, wouldn't that mean that we had infinite amount of good kamma and good experiences that would cause maggaphala? Or an infinite amount of possibilities, which might mean that somewhere along the line we would have attained enlightenment (with infinite possib...
by Dr. Dukkha
Sat Nov 29, 2014 3:23 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: If samsara is beginning-less, why are we not all enlightened
Replies: 28
Views: 5376

Re: If samsara is beginning-less, why are we not all enlight

Here it is: Speculation about [the first moment, purpose, etc., of] the cosmos is an imponderable that is not to be speculated about. Whoever speculates about these things would go mad & experience vexation. SN 56.41 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acinteyya Thank you, David. I appreciate you doin...