Dhamma Wheel

I respect monks for their knowledge of the suttas and meditation experiences but every so often when I get to know them better, I am disappointed when I realise that many of them would also believe in all manner of pseudo-science and quack cancer cures (and sometimes include them in their talks). :r...

It does not explain away the hard realities of life with bullshit mythologies but teaches one how to deal with it.

It depends how far or deep one is practising each . Theravada is Sila , Samadhi, Panna. The Sila part has much overlap with other religions and philosophies. The Samadhi less and when it comes to Panna, none.

We here in the States could use some additional Buddhist marketing. I feel like millennials are agnostic and atheist in surprisingly high numbers, and are ready for something new to take hold in their hearts. I'm looking forward to helping spread it. Don't look to the Asian immigrant temples to do ...

Be that as it may, can you show me the sutta you are talking about where it says, "volitional formations to be the cause for consciousness to descend into the womb". I think I know what you are referring to, but I would like to see it in context. One sutta will do. No need to clutter up the thread....

arising and ceasing isn't DO Exactly...ppl confuse Causation with DO. When it is the principle of Causation that is a prerequisite to accepting DO. This is made clear in the Assutava sutta. "'When this is, that is. "'From the arising of this comes the arising of that. "'When this isn't, that isn't....

Buddhaghosa (Theravada) and Vasubandhu (Mahayana) both discussed a 3 life model. Either they both came up with the 3 life model on their own or extrapolated it from the teachings, thus the controversy ever since. And the Abhidhamma discusses momentary mental events in detail, which makes sense from...

For a pretty good summary of the main views on DO; pros and cons, see: http://www.leighb.com/deporg1.htm#2 I find Leigh's "Problems with the 3 Lives model" to be silly. He says : "But look what happens when you lay the "cessation chain" on top of the 3 Lives Model: With the ceasing of Ignorance in ...

There were earlier remarks that Ajahn Kevali was reluctant to ordain new monks but it seems he was only recently authorised to do so. "Having passed the examinations required by the Mahatherasamakom, on Sunday 28th January 2018, Ajahn Kevali, abbot of Wat Nanachat, was appointed as a Preceptor (Upaj...

How are the one-life model and the moment to moment models compatible with the Maha-Nidana sutta , DN 15 which gives a definition of the links? in particular the 2 links where a new Life occurs, quoted below. Namarupa/Name and Form - 'From consciousness as a requisite condition comes name-and-form.'...

This article describing the present conditions of the Daun Chi, also underlines the importance of bringing back the Bhikkhuni sangha.
http://sea-globe.com/praying-for-equali ... ale-monks/

Why we, as human beings, are so concerned about privacy? If our actions are praiseworthy, why do we worry if others know about us? Because there are morons who post their nudie pics and criminal activities on FB. Personally I approve of FB's use of my data. It's like having a free personal secretar...

Off the top of my head, there's Bhikkhu Cintita. There was also a US mother and son who both ordained ( not sure if both are still in robes though). I remember coming across others but the memory didn't stick.

History clearly indicates that the fortunes of religions are closely intertwined with politics. It is quite likely that none of us would be Buddhist today if not for the political actions of Asoka. The millions of Dalit Buddhists may be neo-Buddhists today but who is to say that they would not produ...

Taiwanese nuns in Cambodia practising a hybrid of Mahayana and Theravada. https://www.cambodiadaily.com/features/the-sisterhood-106083/ Also see this blog post. The first generation of bhikkhunis are Mahayana nuns, while the next generation have been accepted into the Theravada sangha. "The younger ...

I was reading the bios of monastics at Abhayagiri, USA and was struck by the large number of monastics there whose introduction to the Dhamma was thru Goenka retreats. I found this is also true of many western monastics who encountered the Dhamma outside SE Asia (another eg, both the founders of the...

You may find Goenka's answer to a related question useful. 1. What is the effect of Vipassana on the chakras ? Chakras are nothing but nerve centres on the spinal cord. Vipassana takes you to the stage where you can feel activity in every little atom of your body. Chakras are just a part of that. Th...

It's very difficult to disentangle where this idea that "Ajahn Brahm claims he started Bhikkhuni ordination" comes from. I don't see AB claiming that in the interview linked in the OP. He seems to be simply responding to specific questions. :heart: Mike To be fair, he never claimed that and I am su...

Considered - that is the word here. All this "bhikkhuni" theme is about "status", not about living a certain way of life. Mae chis, Thilashin, Siladharas - they all live like true renunciates and have all conditions to do so. However, those, who want "status" won't join them, ofc... This is called ...

How does it undermine the arguments against the validity of bhikkuni ordinations? OK, I take that back as it wasn't worded correctly. What I meant was that the WPN sangha refused to recognise the validity of the Perth bhikkhuni ordinations for whatever reason. But it cannot be on the validity of th...