Search found 2717 matches

by Pondera
Sun Jan 14, 2024 7:48 am
Forum: Sīla
Topic: 4th Precept - Lying - related to my illness and its effect on my career
Replies: 14
Views: 770

Re: 4th Precept - Lying - related to my illness and its effect on my career

There’s exceptions to every rule. You’ve got to support your family. Bottom line. And the hard reality is that any mention of mental illness is going to stop you from entering into a legitimate profession which you’re qualified for. I’ve personally lied on resumes and anpplications in order to get c...
by Pondera
Sat Jan 13, 2024 8:44 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Consciousness and monkhood
Replies: 12
Views: 506

Re: Consciousness and monkhood

Are we truly conscious? No. The arhat is. The way towards arhatship is asceticism, seclusion, and monkhood. Because we think we are conscious but aren't, let this realization cut our ties to worldly commitments, because we're not doing what we think we are. Strive with earnestness :) Are you thinki...
by Pondera
Sat Jan 13, 2024 12:33 am
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Creating a Field of Energy
Replies: 10
Views: 801

Creating a Field of Energy

I’m curious how people view the exertion of the mind to create a “field” around one’s body. When we talk about the “Buddha Range” and the emanation of loving kindness and the other Brahmaviharas we seem to be talking about exerting one’s mind to create a mind made field around one’s body. Or even in...
by Pondera
Fri Jan 12, 2024 11:54 am
Forum: Sīla
Topic: Alcohol usage
Replies: 15
Views: 850

Re: Alcohol usage

I don’t know. But the suttas refer to “the use of intoxicants which lead to heedlessness”. This could cover any kind of behaviour which would break the other precepts or a falling away from right effort - that would be not being able to maintain wholesome states and/or ward off unwholesome states. S...
by Pondera
Fri Jan 12, 2024 6:50 am
Forum: Lounge
Topic: So where are the buddhas ????
Replies: 16
Views: 1064

Re: So where are the buddhas ????

Why would anyone even need buddhism to become a buddha ??? Or the title buddha for that matter? (psssst more rhetorical questions.). Somewhere there is a buddha which never heard of buddhism or the word buddha. It never heard or studies any of your rules or laws for being what it is. In fact there ...
by Pondera
Sun Jan 07, 2024 4:30 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Do all arahants gain three knowledges
Replies: 19
Views: 551

Re: Do all arahants gain three knowledges

Knowledge of the ending of the fermentations seems to be the only one required for Arahantship. The three knowledges clearly relate to kamma front the past, the present, and the future. Since the past is without discernible beginning, I don’t think we can eradicate past kamma. And since the future h...
by Pondera
Sun Jan 07, 2024 3:25 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Who are the Suttavadins? The dark truth behind Delson Armstrong, Bhante Vimalaramsi, and TWIM
Replies: 525
Views: 22585

Re: Who are the Suttavadins? The dark truth behind Delson Armstrong, Bhante Vimalaramsi, and TWIM

Since I am having trouble getting through to many with suttas I am forced to use other tactics at my disposal, It isn’t the suttas. It is your attitudes. What you and your partner seemed to have learned well during your time with TWIM et al. are tactics to coerce and pressure the listener. You are ...
by Pondera
Sun Jan 07, 2024 3:15 am
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Release from prison
Replies: 16
Views: 945

Re: Release from prison

OK keep aside Jesus for the time being. Yes, may be his good Kamma as per Buddhist teaching. But not all good Kamma ripen that way though. :anjali: Absolutely! Bad things happen to good people, that's for sure. :anjali: Actually, it is not how according to Buddhism. Bright Kamma produces bright res...
by Pondera
Sun Jan 07, 2024 3:11 am
Forum: Samatha Bhāvana
Topic: Giving Up The Ghost
Replies: 86
Views: 5012

Re: Giving Up The Ghost

I don’t need luck. I have Jesus ;) Jesus won't be able to do anything that you have done in your life. Even a Buddha can't do anything when you are about to die if you have a wrong view. Well. The Christians have a large doctrine as well. It seems the Muslim countries also do. The way I see it: You...
by Pondera
Sun Jan 07, 2024 2:05 am
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: A converstation discussion meditation and jhanas between Robert Wright (author of Why Buddhism is True)
Replies: 27
Views: 1542

Re: A converstation discussion meditation and jhanas between Robert Wright (author of Why Buddhism is True)

and Kathryn Devaney, a neuroscientist researching the jhanas and herself, a practitioner. https://youtu.be/iGxnFhmJt2Q?si=0cTJS5AblWmddFO8 These people are genuine, intelligent and Dhamma practitioners of some form, so I think there is useful (and interesting) info to glean. Many thanks. Listening ...
by Pondera
Sun Jan 07, 2024 1:37 am
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: What is the way out to this
Replies: 33
Views: 1597

Re: What is the way out to this

If I could have told myself anything at all; any advice to my younger 20 year old self when I was going through the annihilation terror phase of my life it would have been: Go find other people and surround yourself with other people. People (physical people) provide positive energy which we feed on...
by Pondera
Sun Jan 07, 2024 1:17 am
Forum: Samatha Bhāvana
Topic: Giving Up The Ghost
Replies: 86
Views: 5012

Re: Giving Up The Ghost

I doubt it. It is ok to doubt when you don’t know. 😀 btw when you are about to die (1-3 days before), the other world will show. If you are bad and/or has wrong view, usually lower realms will show up as preview. Don’t trust me, you will see. This implies that you’ve already died and know about it....
by Pondera
Sun Jan 07, 2024 1:13 am
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: How does a Buddhist practitioner knows whether he has attained the first stage of sainthood know as Sotappan.
Replies: 78
Views: 3240

Re: How does a Buddhist practitioner knows whether he has attained the first stage of sainthood know as Sotappan.

However the Buddha wouldn’t describe it in “no this” “no that” terminology. In fact the Buddha uses very precise terminology. And presumably, Ingram is an Arahant so he should know better, shouldn’t he. The Buddha said: These descriptions are altogether different than the negative slants given by I...
by Pondera
Sat Jan 06, 2024 6:38 am
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: How does a Buddhist practitioner knows whether he has attained the first stage of sainthood know as Sotappan.
Replies: 78
Views: 3240

Re: How does a Buddhist practitioner knows whether he has attained the first stage of sainthood know as Sotappan.

- he calls it “God” - which is fine; he’s entitled to that generalization and he’s not the first to have said it openly In my opinion what he says is if you would call it God, he would be ok with it. He’s obviously a fraud. His conception of Nibbana is fraudulent. His definition of Arahant is fraud...
by Pondera
Sat Jan 06, 2024 4:12 am
Forum: Samatha Bhāvana
Topic: Giving Up The Ghost
Replies: 86
Views: 5012

Re: Giving Up The Ghost

I will not be needing good luck. I have Jesus. Funny indeed, i have seen this comment before. I have heard a story of a devotee of jesus. When he was about to die, he gave up Jesus. Why? Suddenly the ghost realm show up close to his death time. Suddenly He said he didn't trust Jesus anymore. 😅 Be c...