Sure, granted. What I am pointing out (which is also what I believe the sutta your referencing is pointing out) is not that the mind is the only real thing, but that the mind is the only determinant of what is real. One of the 5 aggregates is the perception aggregate. For example a person might hav...

This topic simply brings us back to the old discussion on whether morality is objective or not. The only usefulness the notion of 'objectivity' has in a Buddhist forum is to recognize it is a useless one (to dhamma), for a person who understands well the dhamma also understands that the idea of obj...

This topic simply brings us back to the old discussion on whether morality is objective or not. The only usefulness the notion of 'objectivity' has in a Buddhist forum is to recognize it is a useless one (to dhamma), for a person who understands well the dhamma also understands that the idea of obj...

Yes, that's one plausible [literal] interpretation of the bible, but I doubt that would be MLK's view, since he marched hand-in-hand, arm-in-arm with Jews and atheists. And Jesus sat down with tax collectors, lepers, and prostitutes. Still, he believed to be the judge over everyone. I quoted it mor...

The way to enlightenment is the Noble Eightfold Path, of which meditation is a part. I agree completely on this opinion. The Gautama Buddha taught his followers the same. Ditto. And here is an analogy for consideration regarding the 3 aspects of the path (wisdom, virtue, and meditation). Virtue is ...

I'm probably not going to continue this thread, having just recently read the threads on this forum which already have extensively gone over his work and now definitely having an understanding of it myself (at intellectual exhaustiveness but spiritual reward), it has dawned on me that due to my heal...

Went over his Note on Paticcasamupadda and I typed this up last night as a short summary of my first impression of it; I definitely want to go over it again trying to understand it as much as possible to type up a detailed review the way I did with his introduction earlier in this thread... "Ti...

The Visudhimagga passage goes something like this "..., Disciple who can place cross-wise his feet to rest upon his ties, Sleeping with his spine erect..." Might refer to necessity of specifically full lotus, Pali grammar would be interesting. I know for sure that one can be unconscious w...

Another example, I sometimes hitchhike to get to places I want to go for vacation, so I can save money for actual events when I get there. If someone offers me a cigarette while I ride with them, I always accept. Not because I am addicted, or because I crave one, but to ease social tensions and cre...

If one delights, craving will increase. Wrong: if one attends inappropriately then craving will increase. There are times when the Buddha delighted in things, such as sound gatherings of Arahants, delighted in solitude, delighted in warming his back in the sun late in the day... Just as there is no...

SarathW wrote:

The harm you are implicating here is a trifle compared to the harm to other beings that will be caused by not understanding tanha and kāmacchando

Isn't smoking tanha and kamachando?

Like any action, it depends. imo

MAYBE nevermind on the razor idea, at least that style, depending on him. Just talked to my teacher, they used them in Thailand but for the most part they shaved each others heads because they are such a pain to learn, and dangerous. I personally want one like that and want to learn to use it on my ...

I will be attending an ordination and am wondering if and what type of gift might be a good idea. I expect possessions are minimal -- I don't want to add to a pile of stuff being renounced! I could certainly donate to the monastery, but wondering about the monk. Thoughts? When I received my novice ...

Can supernormal powers be used to fulfill worldly desires? And if so, is it necessarily bad kamma to do so? Supernormal powers could be used in an attempt to gratify/fulfill worldly desires I suppose; however there aren't any desires (worldly or otherwise) which can be absolutely gratified/fulfille...

kicking obsessive habits is a practice of restraint and to a certain degree of self-renunciation, so it's beneficial for spiritual development.... and since monks are supposed to be exemplary in this respect... This is, IMO, the only valid point I see in the 'against' position regarding tobacco or ...