Search found 386 matches

by alfa
Mon Apr 13, 2020 3:12 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Habits according to Buddhism, and how to change them
Replies: 16
Views: 2343

Re: Habits according to Buddhism, and how to change them

Where is the nama rupa level? Comes after what? There is hardly any time left to perceive, these habits go on wthout our volition, so to speak.
by alfa
Sun Apr 12, 2020 3:53 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Habits according to Buddhism, and how to change them
Replies: 16
Views: 2343

Re: Habits according to Buddhism, and how to change them

My understanding it that what we call automatic was once a conscious, deliberate process. Through repetition, it has now become automatic. Like driving a car. So even so-called unconscious or subconscious actions were once conscious processes where volition was involved.
by alfa
Thu Apr 02, 2020 2:57 am
Forum: Wellness, Diet & Fitness
Topic: How Does Hospitalisation Work Out In Your Country?
Replies: 23
Views: 13229

Re: How Does Hospitalisation Work Out In Your Country?

Lux wrote: Mon Mar 06, 2017 11:38 am I have my operation date. 24th March.

Should be in and out of hospital in 6~ hours.
So basically the whole thing is free? Cool.
by alfa
Sun Mar 29, 2020 2:26 am
Forum: Sīla
Topic: lie, watching porn, hearing music, playing games compatible with trying to attain first stage of enlightment?
Replies: 156
Views: 23599

Re: lie, watching porn, hearing music, playing games compatible with trying to attain first stage of enlightment?

confusedlayman wrote: Sat Mar 28, 2020 9:04 am lie, watching porn, hearing music, playing games compatible with trying to attain first stage of enlightment?
Of course. Those are the things that the Buddha did before becoming enlightened.
by alfa
Sat Mar 28, 2020 2:47 am
Forum: Early Buddhism
Topic: Yamaka Sutta ideas - please help
Replies: 50
Views: 7858

Re: Yamaka Sutta ideas - please help

DooDoot wrote: Fri Mar 27, 2020 3:55 am
alfa wrote: Fri Mar 27, 2020 3:16 am Forever conscious?
Forever conscious without surface?
confusedlayman wrote: Thu Mar 26, 2020 9:04 amcomplete BS.
What is the Pali for the above? Thanks
I think so. Unconditioned consciousness, maybe?
by alfa
Sat Mar 28, 2020 2:46 am
Forum: Early Buddhism
Topic: Yamaka Sutta ideas - please help
Replies: 50
Views: 7858

Re: Yamaka Sutta ideas - please help

It's difficult to see how this is not an assertion of eternalism. Would you care to elaborate on your brief answer? With this teaching, we know inconstancy Eternalism is identity in the absence of inconstancy That's not to do with eternity itself Whereas Nirvana is said to be everlasting What do yo...
by alfa
Fri Mar 27, 2020 3:16 am
Forum: Early Buddhism
Topic: Yamaka Sutta ideas - please help
Replies: 50
Views: 7858

Re: Yamaka Sutta ideas - please help

cappuccino wrote: Thu Mar 26, 2020 2:52 am
alfa wrote:
cappuccino wrote:

well that's not what it says
Can you explain it further, maybe with more than a line or two? Thanks.
I always say there isn't annihilation

even with Nirvana after death

rather Nirvana is a state of mind

a forever state
Forever conscious?
by alfa
Thu Mar 26, 2020 2:23 am
Forum: Early Buddhism
Topic: Yamaka Sutta ideas - please help
Replies: 50
Views: 7858

Re: Yamaka Sutta ideas - please help

cappuccino wrote: Wed Mar 25, 2020 11:08 pm
DooDoot wrote:
cappuccino wrote: right view is karma & rebirth


in other words, not annihilation
The above appears to say 'A monk with no more effluents' is reborn.
well that's not what it says
Can you explain it further, maybe with more than a line or two? Thanks.
by alfa
Thu Mar 26, 2020 2:21 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Momentary 'experience'
Replies: 184
Views: 26573

Re: Momentary 'experience'

It's a red herring, in other words a distraction. The only thing we can directly observe about our experience is change, so Abhidhammic convolutions about "momentariness" are papanca, and not supported by the suttas. The suttas don't support "momentariness". Anicca means imperma...
by alfa
Sat Mar 21, 2020 2:01 am
Forum: Early Buddhism
Topic: consciousness is reckoned by the specific conditions..
Replies: 13
Views: 2281

Re: consciousness is reckoned by the specific conditions..

:focus: So what is rebirth? "Rebirth" appears to be the continuation of "self-becoming". It appears unrelated to consciousness. For example, you do bad kamma born of selfishness and then you reap a bad result that causes more self-grasped-grief. The suttas say: Deeds are the fie...
by alfa
Sat Mar 21, 2020 1:52 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Momentary 'experience'
Replies: 184
Views: 26573

Re: Momentary 'experience'

What I notice most about my experience is that it's continually changing. Ideas about momentariness feel like a :redherring: I don’t get the fish thing? :smile: Metta It's a red herring, in other words a distraction. The only thing we can directly observe about our experience is change, so Abhidham...
by alfa
Wed Mar 11, 2020 11:45 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Momentary 'experience'
Replies: 184
Views: 26573

Re: Momentary 'experience'

DooDoot wrote: Wed Mar 11, 2020 11:29 am
woodsman wrote: Wed Mar 11, 2020 7:34 am what it is that experiences?
Buddhism says life is made up of six elements: earth, wind, fire, water, space & consciousness. What experiences is the element of consciousness. Its only an element. Its not personal.
Then why is the I feeling so strong, almost as if it's permanent?
by alfa
Thu Mar 05, 2020 4:13 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Cart before the horse
Replies: 26
Views: 3525

Re: Cart before the horse

If I understand the OP correctly, it's along the lines of "we don't abandon craving for pleasure unless we have something better". It's an interesting point and indeed addicts of all kinds find it very hard to abandon their addiction because without them, there is something significant mi...
by alfa
Wed Mar 04, 2020 1:58 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: The Devas
Replies: 17
Views: 3294

Re: The Devas

Bunks wrote: Tue Mar 03, 2020 7:19 pm Hi all

I know that Mara can hinder us but can the Devas help us if we ask? Is there any mention of this in the Pali Canon?
If devas could help, then surely the buddha would've encouraged prayer. He didn't. So we can conclude nobody's gonna help, we need to do this ourselves. :anjali:
by alfa
Mon Mar 02, 2020 1:41 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Cart before the horse
Replies: 26
Views: 3525

Cart before the horse

:namaste: Suppose you have $10000,then it's easy to part with $10. If you only have $10, it'd be impossible. Suppose you're blissful (by yourself, not depending on any external object), then you wouldn't seek pleasure from the outside world through money, fame, arts, or anything at all. You're so ha...