Suddh, your post is basically an appeal to authority, which is fine. It's just that some of us take the Buddha as a guide but not the gospel, especially given that He is not here and what we have of His teachings are not directly from Him. Perhaps this is a difference in mind set between those in t...

There is a Buddhist centre nearby which is offering some short instructional courses which may help. I am NOT asking anyone to criticise another tradition, I note the rule against that. However, I do like Theravada - is Kadampa a la Geshe Kelsang Gyatso hugely different to Theravada? Thanks again f...

What I'm curious about is Because I think those books are related There's a 4-step 6-step Anapānassati in Indian books The meditation above resembles 6-steps (Abhidharmakośabhāṣya, except for Nimitta) The meditation method of the Zen master at the bottom resembles 4-steps (佛說大安般守意經) I think Nimitta...

You say, 'Problem with the "there is no self to begin with" is that there are people who know past lives and different selves.' One can see this in many ways, but the Buddha is pretty clear - the beginingless chain of different selves has nothing in it fit to be regarded as self for the s...

MikeRalphKing wrote: ↑Mon Apr 01, 2024 7:56 pm …

I don't know if an arahant could translate at all, but that's another issue. Many academic monks even write books to support their own views. That could be a narcissistic thing, too. Regards :shrug: More likely it’s their job to write papers. Of course some are practicing Buddhists too, so they cou...

colagen wrote: ↑Sun Mar 31, 2024 8:53 pm Wikipedia says that this book was written in India

But I didn't see Anapānassati Nimitta in another book in India

I read Anapānassati Nimitta in the Theravada book

It is kind of weird

Did I miss anything?

Theravāda also had monasteries on the mainland at one point.

Another misrepresentation. I've never said that. Your argument has been that the Buddha wasn't talking conventionally when talking about a self. It means, as I've explained already, that he doesn't take positions on the existence or non-existence of a self. To take a stance on either is a form of c...

From the Classical Theravādin perspective sunrise doesn't really exist, because the Sun doesn't really exist. Is there any support for this? The Buddha himself said that "everything does not exist" is an extreme that doesn't accord with his teaching. The Commentary explicitly identifies t...

Yoniso manasikara is needed to suppress hindrances prior to enter jhana maybe? or just focusing in a "clay disk"/breath is enough? The suttas seem to say that yoniso manasikara can be learn all day not just while sitting, it will lead naturally to samadhi and sammasamadhi. How do I attend...

There is 'Nikaya Buddhism' if we choose to look directly at the suttas with minimal commentorial input and try to piece together the picture that emerges, if necessary drawing on ideas elaborated in different traditions. When you read the Nikāyas you have no idea if what you are reading is commenta...

"Arahants don't exist this I know, for the commentaries told me so."...? That's not knowing, and it's not even accurate learning. The Suttas never say it at all. All they say is that the arahant is not the five khandhas and ultimately totally indescribable. They attain a dimension that th...

bodom wrote: ↑Sun Mar 31, 2024 1:43 pm

Ceisiwr wrote: ↑Fri Mar 29, 2024 10:32 pm Ven. Bodhi is working on a translation of it and its commentary, apparently to be released this year.

Source?

Robert told me. I assume it was a message between Ven. Bodhi and him.

Ceiswir do you think you might be able to do me the kindness of taking a little more effort to read, reflect and understand my posts before replying? I think it'd make discussion a little pleasanter. Also please consider whether you're really engaging in honest, reflective discussion or just trying...

How does one reflect without thinking? Intuitive knowledge. To get insight knowledge you don't use your ordinary contemplation or thinking. Otherwise intellectual understanding could bring you enlightenment. Right understanding, your wisdom, your wholesome Citta will understand by seeing the univer...