Search found 85 matches

by mogg
Thu Apr 25, 2013 10:34 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Problems with no-self
Replies: 90
Views: 17526

Re: Problems with no-self

Good post Bhante :twothumbsup:

Referencing the video posted above, that was meant as a joke right? Surely nobody could believe that someone who devotes that much attention to their hair could be an Arahant!
by mogg
Thu Apr 25, 2013 3:08 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: What motivates Arahant?
Replies: 78
Views: 14666

Re: What motivates Arahant?

Here, things get a bit delicate, but one thing can be pointed out: the aggregates are not all there is. If they would be, then the kind of nihilism that you're pointing at would ensue. But to the best of my knowledge, the suttas never state that the aggregates are all there is. Although there is pr...
by mogg
Thu Apr 25, 2013 3:01 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: the great Nibbana = annihilation, eternal, or something else thread
Replies: 2423
Views: 595415

Re: Nibbana = universal consciousness?

The title of this thread is entirely incorrect. This thread was split off from another discussion and titled by a moderator. It's positing the question "Is Nibbana the same as universal consciousness?" right? To which I am saying no, the premise implied by the title is incorrect. Nibbana ...
by mogg
Wed Apr 24, 2013 4:10 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: "The Deathless" (amata)
Replies: 423
Views: 93464

Re: "The Deathless" (amata)

The core idea that I have trying to get at with all this is the Dhamma is not about things, objects, substances, identities. When one talks about "the Deathless" something is seriously lost. It suggests, intentionally or not, that there is some substantial, objective "Truth" out...
by mogg
Wed Apr 24, 2013 8:31 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: What motivates Arahant?
Replies: 78
Views: 14666

Re: What motivates Arahant?

I heard that an Arahant will die within 7 days (?) unless he/she joins the sangha (I don't have the reference sorry). There is no reason to go on living except to teach the dhamma. This is why there are no lay Arahants described in the suttas (if they are a lay anagami and attain arahantship, they w...
by mogg
Wed Apr 24, 2013 8:25 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: What is "the deathless"?
Replies: 33
Views: 8143

Re: What is "the deathless"?

Greetings, All things that are born will die. When birth is abandoned the deathless arises.......I guess.....don't know for sure.... The deathless does not arise. The deathless pertains to the absence of death/dissolution in that which does not arise/be born. Hence, it is synonymous with nibbana. M...
by mogg
Wed Apr 24, 2013 7:57 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: the great Nibbana = annihilation, eternal, or something else thread
Replies: 2423
Views: 595415

Re: Nibbana = universal consciousness?

The title of this thread is entirely incorrect. Ven. Nyantiloka's rendition of MN 109 (inc. notes): And what, in brief, are the Five Groups of Existence? They are corporeality, feeling, perception, (mental) formations, and consciousness. All corporeal phenomena, whether past, present or future, M. 1...
by mogg
Wed Apr 24, 2013 7:52 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: "The Buddha did not teach it..."
Replies: 32
Views: 6364

Re: "The Buddha did not teach it..."

Proving that the Buddha didn't teach something is harder than showing that he did, but there is one method you can use, as he taught to his foster mother, Mahapajapati Gotami: “Those things, Gotamī, regarding which you know, ‘These things lead to dispassion, not to passion; to liberation, not to bo...
by mogg
Wed Apr 24, 2013 6:59 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Rebirth as a GOD
Replies: 9
Views: 3290

Re: Rebirth as a GOD

Yes its a conundrum. Unless we become an ariya then really the only option is returning as a human being. Given the chances of a putthujana returning as a human being are infintessimally small, then perhaps we should be focusing on striving for the first stage of awakening, sotapatti magga and phal...
by mogg
Wed Apr 24, 2013 4:10 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Need to get away from university party life in Canada
Replies: 28
Views: 8210

Re: Need to get away from university party life in Canada

Well, yes, I should had mentioned that he should visit the monastery to experience the life in it. I didn't say the contrary, but I didn't say it would be beneficial either. So you have a point there. And since you were somewhat civil in your last post I went to look for the quote. It's from the vi...
by mogg
Wed Apr 24, 2013 2:37 am
Forum: Sīla
Topic: Putting your wealth in context
Replies: 24
Views: 5347

Re: Putting your wealth in context

The funny thing about wealth is, no matter how much you earn, you never feel wealthy. I was making a high income in Australia but so were all my peers so I just felt normal (actually unsatisfied would be more accurate). When I moved to Singapore (and ultimately Hong Kong) I was making many multiples...
by mogg
Wed Apr 24, 2013 2:02 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Ghosts, devas, and brahmās?
Replies: 27
Views: 8425

Re: Ghosts, devas, and brahmās?

Through my investigation in the topic i belive that Ghosts, Devas and Brahmas exist in a multidimensional universe. The term Deva refers to a being that exists on a higher dimensional level of reality. So called "extraterestrials" would only be devas if they were able to travel multidimen...
by mogg
Wed Apr 24, 2013 1:58 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Skeptical doubt
Replies: 59
Views: 13128

Re: Skeptical doubt

Lets compare a person on a spiritual path with driving: Vision/driving skill = spiritual knowledge and experience Acceleration pedal = determination and effort Brake pedal = doubt Road sign = Dhamma *It seems like faith doesn't fit anywhere. A naive and over confident attitude is like driving a car...
by mogg
Tue Apr 23, 2013 1:14 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Need to get away from university party life in Canada
Replies: 28
Views: 8210

Re: Need to get away from university party life in Canada

Hi Mogg. I am well aware that novices may be younger. I can only speak for myself, but neither of us was trying to discourage anyone from ordination, certainly not I. Merely offering the advice to reflect and not be so hasty in making the decision become a bhikkhu. It is a decision that I feel woul...
by mogg
Tue Apr 23, 2013 12:55 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Skeptical doubt
Replies: 59
Views: 13128

Re: Skeptical doubt

So as far as I'm concerned, there is no one with 100% faith who isn't a sotapanna. Ergo, I believe 100% faith (i.e knowledge) can't exist outside of Buddhism. Yes they do. A few people from Abrahamic religions i have encountered shows that syndrome. Maybe not 100% but close like 99.999%. Not to men...