Search found 11 matches

by himalayanspirit
Fri Nov 15, 2013 5:21 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Buddhism, Hinduism and the caste system
Replies: 43
Views: 15044

Re: Buddhism, Hinduism and the caste system

As a Hindu that too an OBC (Other Backward Caste), I have to call you out on this one... Why dont you still understand that you do not have to identify yourself with a caste (OBC)? Only then will the caste system end. The problem with Hindus is that they purport to speak against caste based discrim...
by himalayanspirit
Thu Sep 27, 2012 9:05 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Theravada and Zen sitting practice
Replies: 8
Views: 2650

Re: Theravada and Zen sitting practice

If you will be totaly concentrated on immobility of your body, immobility of your spine, you will be able to penetrate Jhanas most rapidly if you will concentrate on some phenomena (mental of physical). Why? Because in sentences concentrate on body or concentrate on mental formations the key word i...
by himalayanspirit
Wed Sep 26, 2012 12:58 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Theravada and Zen sitting practice
Replies: 8
Views: 2650

Theravada and Zen sitting practice

Like most non-Buddhists who get introduced to Buddhism through Zen, my knowledge of Theravada is rudimentary. I am familiar with terms like Shamatha and Vipassana (at least I feel I am) and would like to know if meditation practices of Zen tradition have any correlation with Shamatha and Vippassana....
by himalayanspirit
Wed Sep 26, 2012 12:49 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Bodhisattva ideal during Buddha's time?
Replies: 4
Views: 1531

Bodhisattva ideal during Buddha's time?

I would like to know if there were some monks during Buddha's own time who aspired towards the Bodhisattva goal? Or were all of his disciples practicing to be Arhats? Also, an unrelated question. Mahakashyapa was one of the most foremost disciples, and he is described as being a strict ascetic who a...
by himalayanspirit
Wed May 02, 2012 6:24 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Is Vajrayana/Mahayana the work of Mara?
Replies: 65
Views: 8714

Re: Is Vajrayana/Mahayana the work of Mara?

Greetings! I was referring to Dharmas which are so much in contradiction to the early Buddhism that it is unambiguous that it couldn't have come out from the mouth of the Buddha. And indeed its practitioners themselves never claim it did. I am talking about practices involving sex with consorts (in ...
by himalayanspirit
Wed May 02, 2012 6:13 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Is Vajrayana/Mahayana the work of Mara?
Replies: 65
Views: 8714

Is Vajrayana/Mahayana the work of Mara?

I dont know where exactly in the Canon, but I read somewhere that Buddha had warned that in future, frauds will wear monk's robes and pretend to teach his dhamma only to deceive the people away from it. This, he said, would be the work of Mara. Mahayanists/Vajrayanists claim that their teachings did...
by himalayanspirit
Thu Apr 26, 2012 6:19 pm
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: Difference between awareness and mindfulness?
Replies: 9
Views: 6471

Re: Difference between awareness and mindfulness?

These two terms have always been quite confusing to me, so much so I that i believe these aren't really distinct things. Mindfulness and 'pure awareness' seem to be complimentary to each other. If you have "pure awareness" then the mind doesn't settle on any thing (it doesn't grasp anythi...
by himalayanspirit
Wed Apr 25, 2012 6:06 pm
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: Difference between awareness and mindfulness?
Replies: 9
Views: 6471

Difference between awareness and mindfulness?

These two terms have always been quite confusing to me, so much so I that i believe these aren't really distinct things. Mindfulness and 'pure awareness' seem to be complimentary to each other. If you have "pure awareness" then the mind doesn't settle on any thing (it doesn't grasp anythin...
by himalayanspirit
Wed Apr 25, 2012 5:22 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Intelligence and Buddhism
Replies: 4
Views: 3750

Re: Intelligence and Buddhism

Thank you for the answers.

Like all things, intelligence is dependent on causes and conditions - which means it is not constant. I presume, practicing Dhamma/Dharma will lead to greater intelligence for the practitioner, along with the wisdom. Am I correct in thinking so?
by himalayanspirit
Sun Apr 22, 2012 5:36 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Porn Free for 90 Days
Replies: 326
Views: 72686

Re: Porn Free for 90 Days

I am 24 and the maximum I've stayed away from porn (and masturbation/sex) is about 23 days.
by himalayanspirit
Sun Apr 22, 2012 5:12 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Intelligence and Buddhism
Replies: 4
Views: 3750

Intelligence and Buddhism

What is the theory of intelligence in Buddhism? It goes without saying that your intelligence is a result of various causes of the past. Can one be more intelligent through practice or become dumber through wrong practice? There was a disciple of Buddha called "Suddhipanthaka" who was so d...