Why are you in this forum?

A discussion on all aspects of Theravāda Buddhism

Why are you in this forum?

1 Attain any stages of Nibbana
20
18%
2 Attain higher consciousness
7
6%
3 Seeking peace in the mind
10
9%
4 General interest in religion
8
7%
5 Comparative study of religion
1
1%
6 Prove Buddhism is wrong
0
No votes
7 Socialising
5
4%
8 Pass time
9
8%
9 Learn and share
41
36%
10 Other specify
13
11%
 
Total votes: 114

SarathW
Posts: 21227
Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2012 2:49 am

Re: Why are you in this forum?

Post by SarathW »

And, many are arguing to prove that their view is the correct one.
Dithi Upadana is one of the very strong clinging.
That is why Buddha did not want to teach.
However, he had the compassion.
We have to have a lot of compassion to teach without giving up on the person.
Even Buddha had to give up with some people like Devadatta.
I do not think we have that bad people in this forum.
If you look at the survey you can see number 1 and 9 got the highest vote.
That should give us enough strength to stay in this forum.
There is no single vote for that they are here to prove Buddhism is wrong or getting to an argument.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
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WindDancer
Posts: 286
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Location: Harrison County, IN, USA

Re: Why are you in this forum?

Post by WindDancer »

I have maintained a mostly solitary Zen practice since the 1970's. I was introduced to vipassana meditation and Theravada Buddhism in 2013. I have maintained an active solo practice, mainly supported by Dharma talks and guided meditations found on the internet or by reading several of the most recommended books. I have no local teacher or sangha. About six times, I have made a two hour round trip to sit with a vipassana meditation group, but traveling that far on a regular basis is currently beyond my means.

I have chosen specific online teachers and groups to guide my development; however, I know my growth is stunted due to not having direct interaction with teachers or peers. So I chose #1, 9 and 10. I would like to learn and share among peers and receive guidance from teachers or mentors as I practice and hopefully make progress toward attaining Nibbana.
Live Gently....
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StormBorn
Posts: 199
Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2018 1:31 pm

Re: Why are you in this forum?

Post by StormBorn »

SarathW wrote: Sat Sep 29, 2018 9:15 am There is no single vote for that they are here to prove Buddhism is wrong or getting to an argument.
Friend, Sarath,
I don't think anyone here or even elsewhere, arguing to prove that the Buddhism is wrong. It's just many cling to their views/tradition/methods and argue to defend those views thinking, their view is the Buddhism. It's actually "the cup is full" situation. :smile:
“Greater in battle than the man who would conquer a thousand-thousand men, is he who would conquer just one—himself.”
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StormBorn
Posts: 199
Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2018 1:31 pm

Re: Why are you in this forum?

Post by StormBorn »

SarathW wrote: Sat Sep 29, 2018 9:15 am
And, many are arguing to prove that their view is the correct one.
Dithi Upadana is one of the very strong clinging.
That is why Buddha did not want to teach.
However, he had the compassion.
We have to have a lot of compassion to teach without giving up on the person.
Buddha also had the advantage of starting anew. Nowadays, conflict of views are actually under the label "Buddhism". Eg.: Jhana needed, jhana not needed, etc. And, then even inside the jhana group, people argue about light jhanas, heavy jhanas, etc. I'm not surprise even if a realised being with compassion becoming reluctant to teach. However, I also believe that if a student is honest in his search of Dhamma, his good karma might even push him towards a suitable teacher.

From MN 104, Samagama Sutta:
“What do you think Ānanda? These things that I have taught you after directly knowing them. That is, the four foundations of mindfulness, the four right kinds of striving, the four bases for spiritual power, the five faculties, the five powers, the seven enlightenment factors, the Noble Eightfold Path. Do you see, Ānanda, even two bhikkhus who make differing assertions about these thing?”

“No, venerable sir, I do not see even two bhikkhus who make differing assertions about these things. But, venerable sir, there are people who live deferential towards The Buddha who might, when he has gone, create a dispute in the Sangha about livelihood and about the Pātimokkha. Such a dispute would be for the harm and unhappiness of many, for the loss, harm, and suffering of devas and humans.”

“A dispute about livelihood or about the Pātimokkha would be trifling, Ānanda. But should a dispute arise in the Sangha about the Path or the Way, such a dispute would be for the harm and unhappiness of many, for the loss, harm, and suffering of devas and humans.”
“Greater in battle than the man who would conquer a thousand-thousand men, is he who would conquer just one—himself.”
SarathW
Posts: 21227
Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2012 2:49 am

Re: Why are you in this forum?

Post by SarathW »

However, I also believe that if a student is honest in his search of Dhamma, his good karma might even push him towards a suitable teacher.
I tend to agree with this.
"When student ready teacher will appear"
There are many stories in Sutta where Buddha going to see the student instead of student coming to see Buddha.
But they are rare occasions.
Many times students came to see the Buddha.
Students did not agree with Buddha all the time. At least the first instance.
For instance, five ascetics left Buddha. Even after his enlightenment, they doubted his enlightenment.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
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Crazy cloud
Posts: 930
Joined: Sun May 12, 2013 8:55 am

Re: Why are you in this forum?

Post by Crazy cloud »

StormBorn wrote: Sat Sep 29, 2018 9:00 am 9 Learn and share
&
10 Other

The "Other" reason is similar to the below post by Crazy cloud:
Crazy cloud wrote: Tue Jan 23, 2018 6:45 pm I'm using this place for practice, and especially testing the force of one's attachments to this fleeting world.
SarathW wrote: Mon Jan 22, 2018 9:19 pm No mind said:
it is not very possible because of lack of good teachers.
I agree with a certain point.
However, you can't expect to find a good teacher on the net except finding a lot of knowledgeable teachers.
Recently, I tried to drag one venerable to participate in this forum thinking he can be of great help for meditators and also regarding some Dhamma knots. I personally believe he most likely comprehended at least the minimum level of the Dhamma (sotapanna). But he so easily refused, saying, "These days, Buddhism is mostly about arguments. And, many are arguing to prove that their view is the correct one. There's no reason for me to join that mess of knots." :shrug:

With a good doze of humour, he said, "You know. If by some 'mistake' one realized someday and see 'this' Buddhism with a new perspective. He might silently tell himself, 'I better be a fool and keep a silence about 'the Dhamma'." :lol:

Having given some thought, I tend to agree with him now. :smile:
Image
If you didn't care
What happened to me
And I didn't care for you

We would zig-zag our way
Through the boredom and pain
Occasionally glancing up through the rain

Wondering which of the
Buggers to blame
And watching for pigs on the wing
- Roger Waters
Slowlearner5
Posts: 37
Joined: Wed May 30, 2018 1:28 pm

Re: Why are you in this forum?

Post by Slowlearner5 »

:woohoo: I also ticked Other for Unknown reasons, already proven correct by learning about new things i didn't know anything about via the knowledge shared on the forum.
:thanks:
TRobinson465
Posts: 1783
Joined: Thu May 12, 2016 5:29 pm
Location: United States

Re: Why are you in this forum?

Post by TRobinson465 »

Came back because I like discussing buddhism, don't know too many people who i can discuss Buddhism in depth with. and I found that asking things on the forum is a good lazy way to learn certain things about buddhism rather than hunting down the answers with google.
"Do not have blind faith, but also no blind criticism" - the 14th Dalai Lama

"The Blessed One has set in motion the unexcelled Wheel of Dhamma that cannot be stopped by brahmins, devas, Maras, Brahmas or anyone in the cosmos." -Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta
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StormBorn
Posts: 199
Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2018 1:31 pm

Re: Why are you in this forum?

Post by StormBorn »

Sam Vara wrote: Sun Jan 21, 2018 8:04 pm
SarathW wrote: Sun Jan 21, 2018 7:47 pm The results so far are very close to the result of SC.
I surprised why so few want to attain Nibbana.
https://discourse.suttacentral.net/t/wh ... forum/7957
To be fair, the results don't say that people don't want to attain nibbana. They say that there are more compelling reasons for being in this forum.
I definitely want to attain Nibbana, but I think it's a bit silly to say that, "I'm in this forum to attain any stages of Nibbana!" :smile:
SarathW wrote: Sun Jan 21, 2018 11:41 pm If you become an Arahant what else to do except teaching.
I don't think an Arahant would be hell bent on teaching like these days mud bodhisattvas! An Arahant would be very considerate when come to their actions since having no ego based desires such as becoming famous or being the last in an argument :tongue:
StormBorn wrote: Sat Sep 29, 2018 9:00 am
SarathW wrote: Mon Jan 22, 2018 9:19 pm No mind said:
it is not very possible because of lack of good teachers.
I agree with a certain point.
However, you can't expect to find a good teacher on the net except finding a lot of knowledgeable teachers.
Recently, I tried to drag one venerable to participate in this forum thinking he can be of great help for meditators and also regarding some Dhamma knots. I personally believe he most likely comprehended at least the minimum level of the Dhamma (sotapanna). But he so easily refused, saying, "These days, Buddhism is mostly about arguments. And, many are arguing to prove that their view is the correct one. There's no reason for me to join that mess of knots." :shrug:

With a good doze of humour, he said, "You know. If by some 'mistake' one realized someday and see 'this' Buddhism with a new perspective. He might silently tell himself, 'I better be a fool and keep a silence about 'the Dhamma'." :lol:

Having given some thought, I tend to agree with him now. :smile:
Regarding the venerable that I referred to above. He doesn't have his own devices or facilities to go online, but when there's a need, he uses others' items. So, that's also a reason for his inability to participate regularly in an online forum. Some monks are very difficult to decipher as they are not into hinting about their personal matters. :shrug:

Sorry, if I have unintentionally given a wrong impression about him. :namaste:
“Greater in battle than the man who would conquer a thousand-thousand men, is he who would conquer just one—himself.”
SarathW
Posts: 21227
Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2012 2:49 am

Re: Why are you in this forum?

Post by SarathW »

I think it's a bit silly to say that, "I'm in this forum to attain any stages of Nibbana!" :smile:
Well if you do not want to call the Sotapanna stage as Nibbana, you are quite correct.
As far as I am a concern, If I can become a Sotapanna that is as great as become an Arahant, as it assures Nibbana in seven lives.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
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StormBorn
Posts: 199
Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2018 1:31 pm

Re: Why are you in this forum?

Post by StormBorn »

SarathW wrote: Thu Oct 04, 2018 9:06 am
I think it's a bit silly to say that, "I'm in this forum to attain any stages of Nibbana!" :smile:
Well if you do not want to call the Sotapanna stage as Nibbana, you are quite correct.
As far as I am a concern, If I can become a Sotapanna that is as great as become an Arahant, as it assures Nibbana in seven lives.
What I meant was that I'm not going to forums expecting that the forum will make me an Ariya :tongue: :smile:
“Greater in battle than the man who would conquer a thousand-thousand men, is he who would conquer just one—himself.”
SarathW
Posts: 21227
Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2012 2:49 am

Re: Why are you in this forum?

Post by SarathW »

I'm not going to forums expecting that the forum will make me an Ariya :tongue: :smile:
Aren't you going to the medical collage because you want to be a doctor?
:tongue:
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
User1249x
Posts: 2749
Joined: Mon Jan 01, 2018 8:50 pm

Re: Why are you in this forum?

Post by User1249x »

to answer questions
to keep an eye on the public discourse
to complain
to periodically refute foolish people with the Dhamma
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
another thing imho if people want attainments they are far better off training thus;
There is the case where a monk remains focused on unattractiveness with regard to the body, percipient of loathsomeness with regard to food, percipient of non-delight with regard to the entire world, (and) focused on inconstancy with regard to all fabrications. The perception of death is well established within him. He dwells in dependence on the five strengths of a learner — strength of conviction, strength of conscience, strength of concern, strength of persistence, & strength of discernment
rather than spending time at theravadawheel
justindesilva
Posts: 2602
Joined: Wed Jul 27, 2016 12:38 pm

Re: Why are you in this forum?

Post by justindesilva »

Ever since I wanted to accept true damma I did not hesitate to discuss , argue and read while listening to acceptable teachers or monks. Here I found all my requirements while I discard non agreeable views and accepting the reasonable views with gratitude.
I have thankfully improved my damma knowledge with this forum.
Spiny Norman
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Re: Why are you in this forum?

Post by Spiny Norman »

User1249x wrote: Thu Oct 11, 2018 12:23 am to periodically refute foolish people with the Dhamma
There seems to be a lot of that going on here. :jumping:
Buddha save me from new-agers!
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