Search found 4318 matches

by Bhikkhu Pesala
Wed Sep 06, 2023 6:28 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Drugs
Replies: 76
Views: 3099

Re: Drugs

It is good to be brain-washed to remove most of the gross greed, ill-will, and delusion that lead to evil deeds like partaking of intoxicants that lead to heedlessness.

“Not to do any evil, to cultivate good,
to purify one’s mind, this is the teaching of the Buddhas.” (Dhammapada v183)
by Bhikkhu Pesala
Tue Sep 05, 2023 6:37 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Drugs
Replies: 76
Views: 3099

Re: Drugs

The UK plans to add Nitrous Oxide laughing gas to the list of Class C drugs by the end of this year. BBC News . Supply of nitrous oxide for recreational use is currently banned - but possession is not. The government initially announced its plan to ban nitrous oxide earlier this year as part of a pl...
by Bhikkhu Pesala
Sun Aug 20, 2023 5:40 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Thai forest tradition folks, how is anapanasati enough?
Replies: 7
Views: 670

Re: Thai forest tradition folks, how is anapanasati enough?

See the Ledi Sayādaw’s Exposition of Respiration.

How to Proceed to Insight.

See also the Mahāsi Sayādaw on Tranquillity Meditation.
by Bhikkhu Pesala
Sun Aug 20, 2023 3:51 pm
Forum: Classical Theravāda
Topic: Some Discourses Translated by Bhikkhu Pesala
Replies: 28
Views: 14466

Re: Some Discourses Translated by Bhikkhu Pesala

I have fixed a number of typos, including one in the title of the Pāthika Sutta, and added a footnote about Bhaggava, to whom the discourse was taught.
by Bhikkhu Pesala
Mon Aug 14, 2023 9:55 pm
Forum: Samatha Bhāvana
Topic: Is it require to have 80 to 100% concentration in order to enter Investigation of Phenomena?
Replies: 10
Views: 1896

Re: Is it require to have 80 to 100% concentration in order to enter Investigation of Phenomena?

Deep concentration is also needed to gain insight. I am not sure how one would measure it. See the chapter on The Vipassanā Jhānas from In This Very Life , a book published from the talks given by Sayādaw U Paṇḍita on a three-month Mahāsi style meditation retreat at Barre, Mass, meditation centre. T...
by Bhikkhu Pesala
Sat Aug 12, 2023 11:43 am
Forum: Classical Theravāda
Topic: Some Discourses Translated by Bhikkhu Pesala
Replies: 28
Views: 14466

Re: Some Discourses Translated by Bhikkhu Pesala

After a long time, I have added another translation to my website. This is a long one, with several passages repeated from the Brahmajāla Sutta, which I have not translated, so I included the relevant passages here. The Pāṭika Sutta is the first discourse in the third book of the Long Discourses abo...
by Bhikkhu Pesala
Fri Aug 11, 2023 8:51 pm
Forum: Ordination and Monastic Life
Topic: Are monks allowed to share there Pindapatha food and goods with lay people?
Replies: 11
Views: 2922

Re: Are monks allowed to share there Pindapatha food and goods with lay people?

Radix wrote: Fri Aug 11, 2023 8:11 pmI heard it's very bad to accept anything material from a monk, even just a sip of water.
You heard from someone who does not know the Dhamma-Vinaya.
by Bhikkhu Pesala
Mon Aug 07, 2023 10:03 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Eve eating a forbidden apple.
Replies: 12
Views: 978

Re: Eve eating a forbidden apple.

Irish comedian Dave Allen explains the story of Adam and Eve.

by Bhikkhu Pesala
Mon Aug 07, 2023 8:36 am
Forum: Theravāda for Beginners
Topic: God in the pali cannon
Replies: 67
Views: 6423

Re: God in the pali cannon

The rebuttal of the theory of a Creator God is given in the Brahmajāla Sutta, the first discourse of the Dīghanikāya. ‘Friends, once in a while, after a very long time this universe contracts. When this universe contracts, living beings are reborn among the deities of streaming radiance, in the Ābha...
by Bhikkhu Pesala
Mon Aug 07, 2023 8:20 am
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: Mantra in Theravada (aside from Buddho)
Replies: 31
Views: 25581

Re: Mantra in Theravada (aside from Buddho)

The Buddho taught the "mantras", namely "Parittā". Moreover, it should be abandoned because it is not in accordance with the Dhamma. Mantras are one of the "wrong livelihood" in Buddhism, as if possessing illegal "things". The Protection Discourses were taugh...
by Bhikkhu Pesala
Wed Aug 02, 2023 2:18 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: At what age would you consider yourself to be old?
Replies: 17
Views: 1125

Re: At what age would you consider yourself to be old?

Fifty is barely over middle-aged these days. Average UK life expectancy for males is 78.7, but my parents both lived to 90+ so I assume that my life-expectancy is above average. All things considered, I will be pleasantly surprised if I survive past 90, so I supposed I would consider myself old if I...
by Bhikkhu Pesala
Tue Aug 01, 2023 6:41 pm
Forum: Wellness, Diet & Fitness
Topic: Can arterial plaque buildup dissolve from attainment of the 10 powers?
Replies: 15
Views: 1758

Re: Can arterial plaque buildup dissolve from attainment of the 10 powers?

Healing of minor ailments is certainly possible by practising meditation. The symptoms of colds, headaches, chronic fatigue, etc., can be dispelled by anyone who is experienced in meditation. Most may not have the kind of faith, determination, and courage to cure more serious diseases. A good number...
by Bhikkhu Pesala
Thu Jul 27, 2023 10:39 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: The illusion of moral decline
Replies: 15
Views: 1077

Re: The illusion of moral decline

by Bhikkhu Pesala
Thu Jul 27, 2023 10:34 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: The illusion of moral decline
Replies: 15
Views: 1077

Re: The illusion of moral decline

Many people have a cup-half-empty outlook on life. Their continued negativity drags them down, and anyone with whom they associate. Complaining Rewires Your Brain for Negativity Repeated complaining rewires your brain to make future complaining more likely. Over time, you find it’s easier to be nega...
by Bhikkhu Pesala
Thu Jul 27, 2023 10:22 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Sabbath and Full Moon?
Replies: 5
Views: 248

Re: Sabbath and Full Moon?

The " Sabbath " is a term from Judaism or Christianity. It is not a good translation, as the Uposatha can occur on any day of the week, but it is the best one can do if one wants to translate the Pāli to English. Ajahn Thanissaro leaves it untranslated in his translation of the Ānāpānassat...