Search found 14 matches

by Lhamo
Mon Jul 25, 2011 2:58 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: past life
Replies: 10
Views: 2164

Re: past life

WellI Plwk, this extensive textual material certainly seems to answer the question in the affirmative: did the Buddha teach rebirth, multiple-lifetime rebirth. thank you for this. To the OP: I think you're fortunate to have this recall. It means you have no doubt in the reality of rebirth. :thumbsup:
by Lhamo
Sat Jul 23, 2011 12:32 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Rules or terrible injustice?
Replies: 29
Views: 6355

Re: Rules or terrible injustice?

Thank you again, for posting these important updates. I'm glad someone set the Buddhist organizations in Nepal straight on the rules. I remember reading monastic rules that say that the nun is defrocked only if she enjoys the rape. Let's hope the rules have been updated and revised since that nonsen...
by Lhamo
Sat Jul 23, 2011 12:18 am
Forum: Sīla
Topic: Understanding the fourth precept
Replies: 405
Views: 61686

Re: Is it ever O.K. to lie?

haha! That's a good laugh, Jason! How do we know Santa & helpers aren't Enlightened Beings working devotedly for others' happiness? Besides, Marx was all for working hard for a higher good. After visiting the utopian experiments in the US, he took the Shaker maxim, "Hands to work, hearts to...
by Lhamo
Fri Jul 22, 2011 8:03 pm
Forum: Sīla
Topic: Understanding the fourth precept
Replies: 405
Views: 61686

Re: Is it ever O.K. to lie?

Whynotme, why do I get the feeling this topic upsets you? No one is throwing caution (or precepts) to the wind, and saying we don't need to take the precepts seriously, or we can lie whenever we feel it convenient. The discussion is about the rare and extraordinary situations that may arise in life ...
by Lhamo
Thu Jul 21, 2011 6:03 pm
Forum: Sīla
Topic: Understanding the fourth precept
Replies: 405
Views: 61686

Re: Is it ever O.K. to lie?

You should research patimokha, You can release a pig without theft intention, but how could you say untrue things without lying intention? Regards. Thank you for the suggestion, I'll do that research. But to answer your question, I'd say that one would willingly accept the minor karmic consequences...
by Lhamo
Thu Jul 21, 2011 5:50 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Kammic effects on birth?
Replies: 9
Views: 1597

Re: Kammic effects on birth?

I've been thinking about this recently. How does Kamma influence human birth? For example: If one is born as a villager in some failing African country starving etc.. What would be the cause of them being born there instead of as a rich American? Is there any writings or teaching which discuss this...
by Lhamo
Thu Jul 21, 2011 5:32 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Drama Wheel
Replies: 51
Views: 8258

Re: Drama Wheel

As a refugee from a couple of those Drama sites (I was fortunate to miss out on e-sangha altogether), I want you all to know how grateful I am to find a forum where people are actually nice. Imagine--Buddhists who actually practice the compassion, the right speech, the loving-kindness! It's revoluti...
by Lhamo
Wed Jul 20, 2011 7:15 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Question about Vajrayana
Replies: 30
Views: 6314

Re: Question about Vajrayana

Claudia, what a wonderful testimony you gave us, it's encouraging. I'm looking for a new tradition, having decided Vajrayana isn't for me, and I've learned a lot about the Pali sutras from participating on forums, so that's the direction in which I'm headed. Nice to know you found your dharma "...
by Lhamo
Wed Jul 20, 2011 5:58 pm
Forum: Sīla
Topic: Understanding the fourth precept
Replies: 405
Views: 61686

Re: Is it ever O.K. to lie?

The Buddha made it clear that there is no flexibilty here. If one chooses to lie one must accept his kamma but the Buddha NEVER said that it was ok to lie or that there is flexibility. Herein someone avoids false speech and abstains from it. He speaks the truth, is devoted to truth, reliable, worth...
by Lhamo
Wed Jul 20, 2011 5:09 am
Forum: Sīla
Topic: Understanding the fourth precept
Replies: 405
Views: 61686

Re: Is it ever O.K. to lie?

bodom wrote: Unfortunately one cannot hide from kamma in a basement. Knowing this truth fully well, the compassionate being don't give up but still try their best for the sake of others.. Yes, good point, santa. This reminds me: the Bodhisattva vows (oops--Mahayana) addresses this scenario precisel...
by Lhamo
Wed Jul 20, 2011 4:49 am
Forum: Sīla
Topic: Understanding the fourth precept
Replies: 405
Views: 61686

Re: Is it ever O.K. to lie?

Thanks for your reply, Ben. I would put it this way: the Dhamma is to be taken as a whole: compassion, intent, the precepts, are all interdependent. If compassion moves us to euthanize a severely ailing pet near the end of its years, or rescue girls who were trafficked to a brothel (taking what wasn...
by Lhamo
Wed Jul 20, 2011 1:03 am
Forum: Sīla
Topic: Understanding the fourth precept
Replies: 405
Views: 61686

Re: Is it ever O.K. to lie?

If there's nothing in the Pali about it, then it must be a Mahayana thing. So, if the Nazis were after your Jewish friend, whom you'd hidden behind the wall in your home, and they came and asked you if you were harboring Jews, as a Buddhist, would you reply truthfully? I'm just trying to clarify the...
by Lhamo
Tue Jul 19, 2011 8:44 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Question about Vajrayana
Replies: 30
Views: 6314

Re: Question about Vajrayana

The Buddha said on his deathbed that there were no esoteric teachings, and yet Vajrayana has esoteric teachings. The Buddha taught celibacy, yet Vajrayana has sex practices. He taught to not become dependent on ritual, and yet Vajrayana is full of ritual. Vajrayana practitioners say that the Buddha ...
by Lhamo
Tue Jul 19, 2011 8:26 pm
Forum: Sīla
Topic: Understanding the fourth precept
Replies: 405
Views: 61686

Re: Is it ever O.K. to lie?

Of course it's ok to lie, under certain circumstances (key phrase). One can break the precepts if it is for a higher good, and if we are motivated by compassion. I doubt the Buddha said to never lie, I'm pretty sure there's a teaching about the "higher good" principle. But breaking a prece...