Search found 345 matches

by dhamma follower
Sun Jun 15, 2014 3:07 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: A logical reasoning that maybe proves there is a self
Replies: 74
Views: 16188

Re: A logical reasoning that maybe proves there is a self

Could you please describe the benefit of someone who believes in the self, as oppose to the misery of someone who doesn't? What does belief in the self means, that is so helpful ? The benefit is that people can finally "give up" Theravada Buddhism to realize Nibbana. Hi, This is too vague...
by dhamma follower
Sun Jun 15, 2014 1:38 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: A logical reasoning that maybe proves there is a self
Replies: 74
Views: 16188

Re: A logical reasoning that maybe proves there is a self

Given this, why would one even want to try to prove or disprove if there is a self or not? What's the point? Compassion for people who think Buddhism advocates a disbelief in the self. Greeting Bharadwja, Could you please describe the benefit of someone who believes in the self, as oppose to the mi...
by dhamma follower
Sun Jun 15, 2014 1:26 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Is Depression Caused by Karma?
Replies: 26
Views: 8495

Re: Is Depression Caused by Karma?

Greeting, There are two suttas in which the Buddha gives clear explanation about kamma and its result: the Maha-kammavibhanga sutta and the Cula-kammavibhanga sutta (MN 135 and MN 136). In order to understand the subject of kamma clearly, some precise notions will be helpful. They are: - The four ki...
by dhamma follower
Wed Feb 19, 2014 5:46 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: What awakens?
Replies: 59
Views: 7459

Re: What awakens?

When we say that people reach a state of Awakening, Do people attain Buddhahood "individually?" How can a person with anatta (no binary state of a "self") suddenly make a change in state like that? Must it then be a gradual process? Thanks for understanding what must be a vague ...
by dhamma follower
Fri Feb 14, 2014 1:33 pm
Forum: Abhidhamma
Topic: Are mind and matter the same?
Replies: 12
Views: 5380

Re: Are mind and matter the same?

Hi Sarath, Mike said: It seems to me that the Abhidhamma is about the analysis of experience This is very well put and an extremely important point. Let me share with you a little more... According to the Abhidhamma, nama (mentality) refers to the element which can experience something, as opposed t...
by dhamma follower
Wed Dec 25, 2013 1:44 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: aggregates and intent
Replies: 42
Views: 4914

Re: aggregates and intent

Either the concept of ownership is different here (just as there are multiple meanings in English) or we have canonical evidence that the Buddha thought that actions were self. He said elsewhere that he did not, so I favour the former view. The way you are interpreting things sounds fatalistic. The...
by dhamma follower
Wed Dec 25, 2013 1:31 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: aggregates and intent
Replies: 42
Views: 4914

Re: aggregates and intent

Looking inside the mind, and contemplating the aggregates, I am fixated on intent. Where does consciousness respond to mind and sense objects by throwing switches, pushing buttons, lifting levers, striking the keys, and executing the manifestation of intent? What of the mind’s hands that open the g...
by dhamma follower
Fri Sep 20, 2013 3:00 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Understanding vitakka
Replies: 6
Views: 1605

Re: Understanding vitakka

Greeting Barcsimalsi, Great questions! What vitakka actually means? Initial thought, Application of thought, mental factor... Different label of words gave different impression towards its meaning, looking forward to understand more about it. From the Nina Van Gorkom's book on cetasikas: The Visuddh...
by dhamma follower
Tue May 14, 2013 7:03 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: The causes for wisdom
Replies: 1255
Views: 291117

Re: The causes for wisdom

Greetings, As soon as there's idea of a method, it is the idea of someone who can (attend to the realities as they arise). I'm not sure whether this is an "English as a second language" issue, or whether this is actually what Sujin teaches, but that is just plain stupid. That's like sayin...
by dhamma follower
Tue May 14, 2013 6:58 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: The causes for wisdom
Replies: 1255
Views: 291117

Re: The causes for wisdom

And I have given you quotes from at least two other teachers (and you've added Sayadaw T yourself) who say essentially the same thing. So it's not something unique to Ajahn Sujin. How could it be, when it's the teaching of the Buddha? Of course, anyone can say that they are not operating with the &...
by dhamma follower
Tue May 14, 2013 6:49 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: The causes for wisdom
Replies: 1255
Views: 291117

Re: The causes for wisdom

When I follow up on the explanation given in the Visuddhimagga for the manner of practice for the "sukkha-vipassaka" what I find is instructions to go on solitary retreat, direct attention to the various aspects of the body, discern the elements, make effort and develop concentration. The...
by dhamma follower
Tue May 14, 2013 6:31 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: The causes for wisdom
Replies: 1255
Views: 291117

Re: The causes for wisdom

When I follow up on the explanation given in the Visuddhimagga for the manner of practice for the "sukkha-vipassaka" what I find is instructions to go on solitary retreat, direct attention to the various aspects of the body, discern the elements, make effort and develop concentration. The...
by dhamma follower
Mon May 13, 2013 3:50 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: The causes for wisdom
Replies: 1255
Views: 291117

Re: The causes for wisdom

H Dhamma Follower, ... When there's more and more understanding in different aspects, it can condition the moment of direct experience of realities, by way of upanissaya paccaya. This would not be possible without a clear understanding of what is the object of satipatthana and what is not, and a st...
by dhamma follower
Mon May 13, 2013 2:45 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: The causes for wisdom
Replies: 1255
Views: 291117

Re: The causes for wisdom

There's another difference too: you seem to be saying that concentration must reach a certain level before insight can arise, There is this POV: 1) Hindrances prevent us from having deep insight. " These five are obstacles, hindrances that overwhelm awareness and weaken discernment ."- AN...
by dhamma follower
Mon May 13, 2013 2:40 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: The causes for wisdom
Replies: 1255
Views: 291117

Re: The causes for wisdom

Any thoughts? Yes. All of what you are saying ignores the plain fact that right concentration can be developed by skillful, volitional direction of one's attention. Which is why the Buddha said things like: Develop concentration, monks. A concentrated monk discerns things as they actually are prese...