Search found 711 matches

by James the Giant
Mon May 12, 2014 9:35 am
Forum: Classical Theravāda
Topic: Life from what period
Replies: 108
Views: 19316

Re: Life from what period

And now let's see you quote the texts that monk you mentioned used to justify his position. Seems fair to present both sides of what could easily become a harmful or fiery debate, since that monk is not here to rebut the commentaries.
by James the Giant
Mon May 12, 2014 2:02 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Ajahn Brahm, unconventional
Replies: 100
Views: 25316

Re: Ajahn Brahm, unconventional

Hi Melancholy, there is an article by Ajahn Brahm somewhere, where he shows in the suttas it says an embryo is not classed as a person/human/sentient until a certain stage of development is reached.
So your vinaya references above are not relevant.
by James the Giant
Sun May 11, 2014 3:40 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: DELETED
Replies: 8
Views: 2986

Re: Is "Positive thinking" Good or Bad?

I'd like to give a big :twothumbsup: Thumbs Up to everyone who referenced the suttas on this question. Great stuff.
by James the Giant
Sat May 10, 2014 7:23 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: DELETED
Replies: 8
Views: 2986

Re: Is "Positive thinking" Good or Bad?

Yes, positive thinking can be forced and artificial.
Just like metta, you create it deliberately and use it as an antidote for negativity or hate.
It's a useful tool, the same as metta.
by James the Giant
Fri May 09, 2014 1:34 am
Forum: Ordination and Monastic Life
Topic: Almsfood in Western countries
Replies: 11
Views: 3709

Re: Almsfood in Western countries

SarathW wrote:Is it illegal to beg in the street in Western Countries?
:thinking:
Not everywhere, but yes in many cities and towns it is illegal.
The police do not enforce it much unless there is a complaint from the public, and an annoyance being caused.
by James the Giant
Thu May 08, 2014 8:55 am
Forum: Introductions
Topic: My Name Is Christopher / Nihilistopher
Replies: 10
Views: 2518

Re: My Name Is Christopher / Nihilistopher

Your message is profound and deep. I will meditate upon it for several minutes at least.
Your grammar, however, is appalling.
Best of luck with being taken seriously!
by James the Giant
Thu May 08, 2014 5:50 am
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: Knees Touching the ground (posture question)
Replies: 8
Views: 5498

Re: Knees Touching the ground (posture question)

What posture did he/she have you sit in? Cross legged, on a cushion, the common way. Fine for a day or two, but then the inflexibility of the hips causes force to be transferred to the knees, slowly but constantly forcing the knee joint to try to bend sideways- not the way it's designed to bend! Th...
by James the Giant
Thu May 08, 2014 5:07 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Favorite Dhammapada Verse
Replies: 25
Views: 4595

Re: Favorite Dhammapada Verse

Hehe, I confess. I was excited when I found out Yoda or Yodha is Pali for "soldier". But seriously now, this is my favourite dhammapada verse. It's not poetic or lovely, but it's so useful for me to remember when I'm frustrated or annoyed by people at the monastery... Which happens often. ...
by James the Giant
Thu May 08, 2014 12:00 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Favorite Dhammapada Verse
Replies: 25
Views: 4595

Re: Favorite Dhammapada Verse

Fear is the path to the dark side.
Fear leads to anger.
Anger leads to hate.
Hate leads to suffering.”
by James the Giant
Mon May 05, 2014 3:56 am
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Venerable Father--a Life with Ajahn Chah Have you read this?
Replies: 29
Views: 4881

Re: Venerable Father--a Life with Ajahn Chah Have you read t

alan wrote:Just a bunch of dummies with psychological needs. Could be any other cult, as far as I'm concerned.
See no wisdom there.
And in one quick, curmudgeonly post, Alan hilariously dismisses the wisdom of Ajahns Sumedho, Amaro, Brahm, Anan, Dtun, Passanno, Piak, Viradhammo, Thiradhammo, etc etc.
by James the Giant
Sun May 04, 2014 7:53 am
Forum: Lounge
Topic: They cleaned up my avatar...
Replies: 4
Views: 1055

Re: They cleaned up my avatar...

Gosh the statue is super-shiny now. I wonder what kind of paint that is? Maybe actual gold paint with several layers of gloss coat on top.
What were you doing up there in Thailand, Mike?
by James the Giant
Sun May 04, 2014 1:31 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Anicca and Stable Atoms.
Replies: 66
Views: 9660

Re: Anicca and Stable Atoms.

There are no stable atoms. Where did you hear there are stable, eternal atoms? Even the building blocks of atoms, like protons and electrons, decay and change.
by James the Giant
Sat May 03, 2014 4:57 pm
Forum: Ordination and Monastic Life
Topic: How is Thanavuddho today?
Replies: 8
Views: 4010

Re: How is Thanavuddho today?

He was in a few monasteries near Sydney, then went back to Thailand in May 2013, then on to Sri Lanka... But more recent news I do not know. He last logged in here at Dhammawheel about two months ago.
That's the full and complete extent of my stalking/info gathering.
by James the Giant
Sat May 03, 2014 5:27 am
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Venerable Father--a Life with Ajahn Chah Have you read this?
Replies: 29
Views: 4881

Re: Venerable Father--a Life with Ajahn Chah Have you read t

Not a moron, just a dope. So far, I've heard about how everyone loves the Ajahn, but see nothing to respect about him. Some seem to feel they need discipline, and a Father figure. Could it be that simple? I think it's that indefinable "charisma" that some gurus and leaders have. Something...
by James the Giant
Sat May 03, 2014 12:30 am
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Venerable Father--a Life with Ajahn Chah Have you read this?
Replies: 29
Views: 4881

Re: Venerable Father--a Life with Ajahn Chah Have you read t

This book is everywhere at the moment, for free at Ajahn Chah monasteries. There must have been a big reprint.
I think I'm going to have to read it, with the description of the author as a Delusional Moron. :clap: