Search found 225 matches

by dhammafriend
Sat Feb 28, 2015 3:45 am
Forum: Theravāda for Beginners
Topic: Should I re-take refuge or not?
Replies: 9
Views: 4061

Re: Should I re-take refuge or not?

it's not necessary to formally take refuge. of course, it can help your practice because of the reaffirmation of your intention. the best thing you can do to honor the Buddha is to practice in accordance with the eightfold path (it never says anything about chanting, taking refuge, etc.). good luck...
by dhammafriend
Tue Feb 17, 2015 6:00 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: section for discussion of sexual issues
Replies: 49
Views: 6370

Re: section for discussion of sexual issues

As for dhamma and celibacy issues, its only an issue if you're in monastic training or on long term retreat. Other than that, if you insist on giving yourself blue balls, that's at the risk of your own mental and physical health. Monastics and retreatants do not have the monopoly on celibacy, nor s...
by dhammafriend
Tue Feb 17, 2015 1:04 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: section for discussion of sexual issues
Replies: 49
Views: 6370

Re: section for discussion of sexual issues

Hmm this is a bit iffy. Why only for male sexual issues? In any case, no online forum is a substitute for actual counseling by a professional. There are countless forums online that deal specifically with sexual health. As for dhamma and celibacy issues, its only an issue if you're in monastic train...
by dhammafriend
Sat Jan 17, 2015 7:01 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: What is Buddhisms (or your) take on other religions dieties?
Replies: 6
Views: 1464

Re: What is Buddhisms (or your) take on other religions dieties?

In general, because I know some gods were dieties made up. Considering the ones that are assumed to be real, what is the Buddhist view of them? I know some believe that all dieties are fictional, considering the absence of gods I could understand that completely. Some also believe some dieties are ...
by dhammafriend
Fri Jan 16, 2015 1:15 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Buddhist response to Muslims
Replies: 218
Views: 41671

Re: Buddhist response to Muslims

But before Islam Arabs adhered to a multitude of monotheistic religions - Judaism, Christianity, Sabeanism (some extinct sect), Zoroastrianism etc. and others worshipped a myriad of pagan deities. None of them discriminated against any other on the basis of religion. They all enjoyed the same right...
by dhammafriend
Fri Jan 16, 2015 12:24 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Buddhist response to Muslims
Replies: 218
Views: 41671

Re: Buddhist response to Muslims

Hi dhammafriend, Out of curiosity, are you familiar with the Kalachakra prophecy? Hi Kusala, I heard it prophesies the arising of an adharmic movement that would threaten the dharmic faiths? Is that the Tantra you refer to? No direct knowledge on my part, just internet articles that reference it.
by dhammafriend
Fri Jan 16, 2015 11:51 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Why we can be certain that God does not exist
Replies: 37
Views: 6046

Re: Why we can be certain that God does not exist

cooran wrote:Hello all,

Australian Bhikkhu Sujato has written a very interesting article:...
Poop, meet fan... :popcorn:
by dhammafriend
Fri Jan 16, 2015 9:58 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Buddhist response to Muslims
Replies: 218
Views: 41671

Re: Buddhist response to Muslims

The real problem is Semitic monotheism. You may well have a point. I was imagining recently what the last 2000 years might have looked like without the Abrahamic religions, a world dominated instead by Hinduism, Buddhism and so on. My guess is that the world would now be a great deal more peaceful ...
by dhammafriend
Fri Jan 16, 2015 9:41 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Buddhist response to Muslims
Replies: 218
Views: 41671

Re: Buddhist response to Muslims

The issue here runs much deeper than Islam. The real problem is Semitic monotheism. As long as you have an ideology that refuses to admit that the existence of other deities, practices etc are valid, we'll never have peace. Islam is simply monotheism on steroids and Christianity a theological Trojan...
by dhammafriend
Sun Jan 04, 2015 8:47 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: the great rebirth debate
Replies: 7548
Views: 1331657

Re: Remembering past lives

Do you claim that Buddha was omnipotent? Of course not. You would not ask that if you knew what sabbanu means. You are dodging the 3 knowledges.... No one is asserting that death is the end, we are discussing where memory is stored and how this could relate to rebirth. However a material basis of m...
by dhammafriend
Sun Jan 04, 2015 7:30 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: the great rebirth debate
Replies: 7548
Views: 1331657

Re: Remembering past lives

Clw uk. Let me straighten your considerable confusion, if I may be so bold: The buddha's awakening consists of 3 knowledges. Not just the insight into eradication of asavas. The latter is an invention of western buddhism. The 4 noble truths and DO explains how avijja and dukkha perpetuate. Not just ...
by dhammafriend
Mon Dec 01, 2014 4:58 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: All cultures have religions?
Replies: 6
Views: 997

Re: All cultures have religions?

Thanks for the link Sam. I'm going to read more on that. This does not solve the issue of expanding and contracting definitions though. I've read lots of books describing Buddhist traditions in situ. And they all have different definitions of religion. If what constitutes religion is clear cut. Why ...
by dhammafriend
Mon Dec 01, 2014 4:41 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: All cultures have religions?
Replies: 6
Views: 997

Re: All cultures have religions?

Hi David. Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I noticed that u drew parallels between leadership figures and books etc. In your view how would u define religion? If communism can be a religion and if we just keep expanding the definition then baking cupcakes can also be a religion. Same goes for origam...
by dhammafriend
Mon Dec 01, 2014 4:01 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: All cultures have religions?
Replies: 6
Views: 997

All cultures have religions?

Just a thought experiment. Not related to Dhamma practice. Religion (Binding to God / Godsdiens - to serve God): Is religion a cultural universal? Do all human cultures have religions? If we say yes, then why do we have so many definitions of what a religion is? To use an analogy: If I travel to ano...
by dhammafriend
Thu Oct 23, 2014 6:21 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Going For Refuge - Resources
Replies: 4
Views: 913

Re: Going For Refuge - Resources

Hi all the mp3 links are fixed.