Search found 162 matches

by Moth
Sat Jun 19, 2021 5:46 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Are 'Focusing' Meditations Wrong?
Replies: 14
Views: 1017

Re: Are 'Focusing' Meditations Wrong?

I emailed Ven. Nyanamoli to double check if my representation was correct. He replied: "That's not quite accurate representation, but for someone not familiar with our take on samadhi, it's not too wrong either. You can boil the entire thing down to Sammaditthi sutta where it is said that there...
by Moth
Fri Jun 18, 2021 5:08 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Are 'Focusing' Meditations Wrong?
Replies: 14
Views: 1017

Are 'Focusing' Meditations Wrong?

My biased understanding is that achieving non-intellectual, unwavering concentration on a single object is the goal of Samadhi. In other words, ekaggata, or one-pointedness of mind. Coming from the Thai Forest tradition, this is how I have understood and practiced it, sometimes to great benefit, oth...
by Moth
Thu Jun 17, 2021 1:23 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Focusing like an Owl
Replies: 19
Views: 1421

Re: Focusing like an Owl

The common understanding of Samadhi style meditation is that it's single pointedness of mind, ekaggatta. This monk, unless I'm misunderanding, seems to be implying that this is a wrong view. However, even if you take the Sutta he is referencing, it could still be argued that the owl is focusing inco...
by Moth
Wed Jun 16, 2021 10:39 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Focusing like an Owl
Replies: 19
Views: 1421

Re: Focusing like an Owl

Then, Evil One, the Mara Dusi took possession of those brahmin householders, telling them: 'Come now, abuse, revile, scold, and harass the virtuous bhikkhus of good character; then perhaps, when they are abused, reviled, scolded, and harassed by you, some change will come about in their minds where...
by Moth
Wed Jun 16, 2021 8:31 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Focusing like an Owl
Replies: 19
Views: 1421

Focusing like an Owl

In this talk Bhante references a sutta where the Buddha discourages meditating like "an owl hunting it's prey." Here is the timestamped clip: https://youtu.be/mWl-o2Z_iho?t=1630 Does anyone know which sutta mentions this? If this is true, it would be a very fundamental shift in my understa...
by Moth
Sun Mar 21, 2021 5:59 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Understanding Anatta, Rebirth, and Materialism
Replies: 20
Views: 1942

Understanding Anatta, Rebirth, and Materialism

A question I have been struggling with is reconciling the teachings of anatta in regards to rebirth. Assumptions Anatta - The five aggregates are not self, meaning ownerless, impermanent, and conditionally arisen. Form, the body, is not self. This is obvious, even from a scientific materialist persp...
by Moth
Sun Nov 04, 2018 1:14 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Upcoming mediation retreats I-40 in the U.S.?
Replies: 1
Views: 959

Re: Upcoming mediation retreats I-40 in the U.S.?

Any Theravada Buddhist stuff at all in San Antonio?
by Moth
Mon Nov 06, 2017 9:34 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Did the Buddha teach we have choice? (aka The Great Free Will v Determinism Debate)
Replies: 988
Views: 339324

Free Will

Given that the five aggregates are anatta and that sankharas are vitaka, does free will exist? In other words, if all things arise dependent upon causes and conditions, and if those causes and conditions are anatta, then where does free will come into play?
by Moth
Tue Mar 14, 2017 1:56 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: When I was 4/5 years old I had my life visons
Replies: 22
Views: 5057

Re: When I was 4/5 years old I had my life visons

I used to smoke weed everyday. I quit altogether and started mediating instead. Since then, I haven't touched it. Having distance from it, and having seen some of the benefits of meditation, it is clear to me that marijuana is just another kind of suffering. I hope you do the same, and I hope you pu...
by Moth
Thu Dec 22, 2016 6:10 am
Forum: Dhammaduta (Dhamma propagation)
Topic: What are the hurdles hindering Dhamma propagation in the US?
Replies: 70
Views: 22219

Re: What are the hurdles hindering Dhamma propagation in the US?

A major hindrance to propagating the Dhamma in the west, in my opinion, are the people who want to modify the teachings to suit their kilesa.
by Moth
Mon Feb 02, 2015 4:08 am
Forum: Ordination and Monastic Life
Topic: Trying to ordain at Wat Boonyawad -- Looking for some advice
Replies: 13
Views: 6467

Re: Trying to ordain at Wat Boonyawad -- Looking for some advice

I am here now. If you want a good taxi driver, just call Lek 098-984-5752. He drives many foreigners to Wat Boonyawad and used to be a monk. Very nice guy. You can get a Thai sim for very cheap at the airport. I got the happy sim dtac for like $15 for 30 days unlimited data. Ajahn Dtun is a very goo...
by Moth
Mon Dec 29, 2014 11:03 pm
Forum: Ordination and Monastic Life
Topic: Trying to ordain at Wat Boonyawad -- Looking for some advice
Replies: 13
Views: 6467

Re: Trying to ordain at Wat Boonyawad -- Looking for some advice

Does anyone have advice on getting from Bangkok to Wat Boonyawad? I looked on Google Maps and it gives me this route, however there is no train option https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Bangkok,+Thailand/Wat+Boonyawad+Bo+Thong+Chon+Buri+Thailand/@13.4340536,100.9418852,10z/data=!4m19!4m18!1m10!1m1!1s0x...
by Moth
Wed Dec 17, 2014 7:23 pm
Forum: Ordination and Monastic Life
Topic: Trying to ordain at Wat Boonyawad -- Looking for some advice
Replies: 13
Views: 6467

Re: Trying to ordain at Wat Boonyawad -- Looking for some ad

What about insurance. Should I keep the insurance I have here in the states while I am there. Should I go on international insurance?
by Moth
Tue Dec 16, 2014 6:49 pm
Forum: Ordination and Monastic Life
Topic: Trying to ordain at Wat Boonyawad -- Looking for some advice
Replies: 13
Views: 6467

Trying to ordain at Wat Boonyawad -- Looking for some advice

I am planning to go to Thailand in about a month, with hopes to ordain at Wat Boonyawad. I emailed them and they told me to come visit first and see. I am trying to figure out all the things I need to do to prepare for this trip and it is somewhat overwhelming. (1) I still need to get my visa, but I...
by Moth
Mon Dec 01, 2014 7:52 pm
Forum: Ordination and Monastic Life
Topic: Going Forth and Visas
Replies: 1
Views: 1210

Going Forth and Visas

If one were to go forth in Thailand, what visa should they get? Is it possible to get a non-immigrant visa instead of the tourist visa?