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

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dylanj
Posts: 936
Joined: Wed Dec 14, 2016 1:48 am
Location: San Francisco
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Re: Why are you in this forum?

Post by dylanj »

Bundokji wrote: Mon Jan 22, 2018 8:46 am
dylanj wrote: Mon Jan 22, 2018 8:12 am
Bundokji wrote: Mon Jan 22, 2018 7:43 am

Your questions are not clear. Care to elaborate?
What does the Arabic text under your posts say?
Its difficult to translate poetry, but it talks about patience and how when things really get worse it is usually the beginning of them starting to get better. Or as they say, everything starts small and gets bigger except problems which start big and become smaller.

But why? and how this is relevant?
Ok thanks.

It's not. Just wondering.
Born, become, arisen – made, prepared, short-lived
Bonded by decay and death – a nest for sickness, perishable
Produced by seeking nutriment – not fit to take delight in


Departure from this is peaceful – beyond reasoning and enduring
Unborn, unarisen – free from sorrow and stain
Ceasing of all factors of suffering – stilling of all preparations is bliss
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xofz
Posts: 54
Joined: Mon Feb 22, 2016 11:29 pm
Location: WA, USA
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Re: Why are you in this forum?

Post by xofz »

I'm a creeper. Here to see liberated consciousnesses spread dhamma and keep the veil of ignorance that grows stronger in ordinary discourse at bay.
becoming aware!
SarathW
Posts: 21183
Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2012 2:49 am

Re: Why are you in this forum?

Post by SarathW »

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.
I believe you can attain Nibbana in this life at least the Sotapanna.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
binocular
Posts: 8292
Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2009 11:13 pm

Re: Why are you in this forum?

Post by binocular »

SarathW wrote: Mon Jan 22, 2018 9:19 pmI believe you can attain Nibbana in this life at least the Sotapanna.
Yay!
:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:
Hic Rhodus, hic salta!
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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 »

I'm using this place for practice, and especially testing the force of one's attachments to this fleeting world.
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
Upeksha
Posts: 119
Joined: Thu Feb 22, 2018 3:23 am

Re: Why are you in this forum?

Post by Upeksha »

I went for 'other' so I guess I should explain.

Just joined. Have been on online Buddhist forums before - found them useful for learning and clarifying the Dhamma. And also: getting some kind of picture of where Buddhism is at (socially and culturally) in the 21st century, which frankly has been a little depressing.

I left a few years ago because I wanted to get away from too much conceptual-discursive thought, and especially forms of unwholesome or neutral speech. I think speech is extremely important and precious, and we tend to waste it especially in the digital age.

I'm trained as a philosopher, so I do enjoy a good argument - but I realised this medium is not often conducive for open minded and respectful debate.

So, why have I returned after a few years of absence?

Well, I guess the truth is I saw a thread and wanted to PM someone about it. So I joined and now here I am. 12 posts in and I've already been drawn into a silly argument......
SarathW
Posts: 21183
Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2012 2:49 am

Re: Why are you in this forum?

Post by SarathW »

wanted to PM someone about it.
Sorry I did not receive it.
;)
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
SarathW
Posts: 21183
Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2012 2:49 am

Re: Why are you in this forum?

Post by SarathW »

Bump.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
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Polar Bear
Posts: 1348
Joined: Mon Apr 16, 2012 7:39 am

Re: Why are you in this forum?

Post by Polar Bear »

I chose Learn & Share and Pass Time.

:anjali:
"I don't envision a single thing that, when developed & cultivated, leads to such great benefit as the mind. The mind, when developed & cultivated, leads to great benefit."

"I don't envision a single thing that, when undeveloped & uncultivated, brings about such suffering & stress as the mind. The mind, when undeveloped & uncultivated, brings about suffering & stress."
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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 »

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:
Last edited by StormBorn on Sat Sep 29, 2018 9:21 am, edited 1 time in total.
“Greater in battle than the man who would conquer a thousand-thousand men, is he who would conquer just one—himself.”
SarathW
Posts: 21183
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
Joined: Mon May 01, 2017 3:47 am
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: 21183
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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