From what I heard on other forums western Zen is more influenced by Theravada than Mahayana.

Hi Livindesert, O.k. if their is no :quote: self :quote: which aggregate gets to choose which other aggregates it joins up with? It's a decision and all decisions belong to the aggregate of formations. In fact everything that's mental but isn't a feeling, perception or cognition, belongs to this ag...

jcsuperstar wrote:if you inherit a million dollars is how you use it beyond your control?

Exactly I would only get one shot and no others to spend that money. After I died the remaining money would just go to someone else.

In another post on the board. When a Buddha-to-be in the Tusita heaven is getting ready to take rebirth in the human realm, he chooses the circumstances (gender, caste, location) most ideal to helping the most people. O.k. if their is no :quote: self :quote: which aggregate gets to choose which othe...

Thanks for the sutra links :jumping: O.k. something I just thought about if this constantly changing thing is not realted to some sort of a self then isn't everything you inherit beyond your control? I guess at least a good thing from the same scenario would be someone else besides you would benefit...

I would say Theravada offers many more teachings than both Taoism and Mahayana for one living the household life.

I would be interested in a quick overview of some of those

There is suffering here, today. Like when we are hungry, we find food. To ask "what is the point of practicing spirituality" is the same as asking "why should I eat?" "If I am going to die one day I might as well not eat and die today". We practice spirituality so we c...

This question is invalid. Karma arises from self interest. If there was no self there would be no karma. So are you saying their is a self just a temporary one? In other words its all in your mind. Also if there is annihilation whats the point of living or for that matter practicing spirituality. W...

this causality runs through every moment not just lifetimes, Would not something that runs without stopping be eternal? "Now this, monks, is the noble truth of stress:1 Birth is stressful, aging is stressful, death is stressful; sorrow, lamentation, pain, distress, & despair are stressful;...

O.k. some quick beginners questions. Why is rebirth not eternalism? I mean even without a soul if something can either be reborn or just continues on with no self without being annihilated then is'int that eternalism by default? :shrug: If life is suffering then why raise a family? If there is no se...

I am just popping in to say hi I heard this site was a good place to get a good Theravada education. I am currently practicing Nichiren Buddhism but am not sure about staying with that. This site looks pretty good so far . Nice to meet you all