Search found 10 matches

by qoheleth
Sun Mar 31, 2013 12:54 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Grace in Buddhism?
Replies: 22
Views: 6942

Re: Grace in Buddhism?

manas wrote: I hope that was in some way helpful.

:anjali:
Quite helpful, indeed!

Thanks kindly, manas and Prasadachitta.
by qoheleth
Sat Mar 30, 2013 12:42 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Grace in Buddhism?
Replies: 22
Views: 6942

Re: Grace in Buddhism?

Thank you, every one, for your thoughtful and helpful responses. :)
by qoheleth
Sat Mar 30, 2013 12:40 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Grace in Buddhism?
Replies: 22
Views: 6942

Re: Grace in Buddhism?

Is there anything even remotely resembling the idea of grace - help from outside of ourselves - in the Suttas or the writings of Theravada Buddhists that you know of? Maybe not ongoing active help, but it is I believe worth reflecting on the good fortune that we have inherited. To be born in a time...
by qoheleth
Sat Mar 30, 2013 12:36 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Grace in Buddhism?
Replies: 22
Views: 6942

Re: Grace in Buddhism?

Is there anything even remotely resembling the idea of grace - help from outside of ourselves - in the Suttas or the writings of Theravada Buddhists that you know of? Kalyāṇa-mittatā aside, no. Not only NO, but HEAVENS NO! The question alone betrays the ignorance of the questioner with regard to th...
by qoheleth
Sat Mar 30, 2013 4:08 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Grace in Buddhism?
Replies: 22
Views: 6942

Grace in Buddhism?

Hello, According to my understanding, Theravada Buddhism places the responsibility for awakening on each individual. In many other religious traditions, there is an "other power", like the Amida Buddha, Christ, etc, and by calling upon or entrusting ourselves to this power or entity, we re...
by qoheleth
Sat Jul 16, 2011 10:12 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Intermediaries in the Pali Texts?
Replies: 7
Views: 1613

Re: Intermediaries in the Pali Texts?

mike said: It might be easier to comment if you could give a link to the other discussion. Please, as Mike has requested, give a link to the other discussion. It can be misleading to request comment on a chosen quote which is only part of an inaccessible discussion elsewhere. with metta Chris There...
by qoheleth
Sat Jul 16, 2011 9:19 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Intermediaries in the Pali Texts?
Replies: 7
Views: 1613

Re: Intermediaries in the Pali Texts?

Thanks, Mike. Your explanation makes sense to me. This poster didn't say that meetings with past Buddhas were possibly an important factor in his awakening. He said awakening was impossible without studying under a Buddha. Here's the gentleman's quote: "... the good priest states that early Bud...
by qoheleth
Sat Jul 16, 2011 8:09 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Intermediaries in the Pali Texts?
Replies: 7
Views: 1613

Intermediaries in the Pali Texts?

Greetings, I feel that Theravada Buddhism is possibly being misrepresented on another forum that I sometimes frequent. The poster says that it is a western misunderstanding that Buddhists can become enlightened without an intermediary, and that the Pali texts make it clear that one can ONLY achieve ...
by qoheleth
Fri Apr 01, 2011 12:51 pm
Forum: Theravāda for Beginners
Topic: Is Buddhism Anti-Life?
Replies: 18
Views: 7650

Re: Is Buddhism Anti-Life?

Thanks for all of the insightful and encouraging responses. Much appreciated!
by qoheleth
Thu Mar 31, 2011 1:32 pm
Forum: Theravāda for Beginners
Topic: Is Buddhism Anti-Life?
Replies: 18
Views: 7650

Is Buddhism Anti-Life?

Sorry to start with a provocative title, but I have wrestled with this for a long time. In my "search" for the best way to live, no "path" makes as much immediate and practical sense to me as that of Buddhism, and particularly Theravada. I have studied it alongside many other tra...