Search found 16 matches

by matais
Tue Feb 12, 2013 3:19 pm
Forum: Vipassanā / Satipaṭṭhāna Bhāvana
Topic: The attainment of the fifth Jhàna breathing ceases.How?
Replies: 43
Views: 16845

Re: The attainment of the fifth Jhàna breathing ceases.How?

Throughout the first four jhanas the perception of breath (or body, depending on ones meditation subject) remains in various degrees of subtlety. Since the fifth jhana is formless, this'd be the first jhana where breath, along with the rest of the body, becomes unnoticable. Regardless of what the bo...
by matais
Mon Feb 04, 2013 9:37 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Heaven, Hell, etc.
Replies: 12
Views: 3171

Re: Heaven, Hell, etc.

The reason the Buddha taught his followers about heaven, hell, devas, etc is because doing so would convince his followers that their actions made a difference even after death. The buddha never taught anyone to worship a deva though, and rather than saying that people should try to go to heaven, as...
by matais
Fri Feb 01, 2013 6:18 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Does the theory of evolution confirm Buddha’s teaching?
Replies: 18
Views: 4214

Re: Does the theory of evolution confirm Buddha’s teaching?

This sounds almost like the way the vedic priests would've viewed the kamma, to explain the castes. The Buddha basically turned this onto its head, making it possible for different kinds of people to turn noble (enlightened), much to the priests' amazement. :anjali: I think you misunderstood me. I'...
by matais
Fri Feb 01, 2013 12:03 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Does the theory of evolution confirm Buddha’s teaching?
Replies: 18
Views: 4214

Re: Does the theory of evolution confirm Buddha’s teaching?

Regarding the connection of kamma with physical attributes, I'd like to compare this with wealth: a family does not become wealthy because someone within this family becomes pregnant of someone with really good kamma, requiring a fortunate birth. Rather, a family is already wealthy and for this reas...
by matais
Mon Sep 17, 2012 1:20 am
Forum: Theravāda for Beginners
Topic: Inner goodness
Replies: 6
Views: 2550

Re: Inner goodness

In Therevada, is there an innate goodness within each of us, is there an original nature, is there original mind, Buddha nature? What is there? Are we just completely empty beings with nothing going for us and enlightenment is some far off dream that most of us will never attain? From the way you w...
by matais
Sat Sep 15, 2012 12:17 am
Forum: Sīla
Topic: Does illegal downloading violate the 2nd precept?
Replies: 492
Views: 129562

Re: Does illegal downloading violate the 2nd precept?

I initially didn't want to post here, since this is a topic that I can get extremely argumentative about, but I feel there's some things that really need to be pointed out. Apologies in advance for a rather long post. The second precept is to refrain from taking what is not given. So to see how this...
by matais
Sat Sep 01, 2012 4:11 pm
Forum: Shrine Room
Topic: A Special Temple Cat Called "Liberation" in S.Korea !!
Replies: 3
Views: 2471

Re: A Special Temple Cat Called "Liberation" in S.Korea !!

Cats can actually survive on a vegetarian diet, though they do require lots of dairy products in that case. It is interesting to see any cat doing so voluntarily though.
by matais
Sat Sep 01, 2012 4:08 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: What makes one a Buddhist?
Replies: 81
Views: 17637

Re: What makes one a Buddhist?

A Buddhist is one who has taken the 3 refuges. In other words, a Buddhist is anyone who believes the Buddha to have been enlightened, the Dhamma to be well-expounded and accessible in the here-and-now for anyone who searches for it, and the Sangha to have preserved these teachings, practicing accord...
by matais
Wed Aug 22, 2012 4:35 pm
Forum: Theravāda for Beginners
Topic: Theravada attainment
Replies: 10
Views: 3316

Re: Theravada attainment

That's a problem I feel Buddhism has. Buddha talks about how if t doesn't make sense to you don't believe it. Faith makes no sense to me, so should I believe arahats dot exist? I'd like to meet one to confirm that Buddha was in fact teaching thr right path to happiness. Faith is a normal part of th...
by matais
Tue Aug 21, 2012 6:45 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Theravāda Sectarian Attitudes
Replies: 40
Views: 8472

Re: Theravāda Sectarian Attitudes

Want to know why martial artists are much more reserved when it comes to this "dissing other schools" business? Anyone who opens their mouth might not have any tooth left to reconfirm the claim 2 seconds later inside the ring! Unfortunately, there's no ring here at the forum so... We all ...
by matais
Tue Aug 21, 2012 12:27 pm
Forum: Theravāda for Beginners
Topic: is 'no self' a self-identity view?
Replies: 4
Views: 1775

is 'no self' a self-identity view?

Hello all, I have a question. Is the view 'there is no self' also a self-identity view? Specifically, does holding such a view prevent the attainment of stream-entry? "As he attends inappropriately in this way, one of six kinds of view arises in him: The view I have a self arises in him as true...
by matais
Mon Aug 20, 2012 2:09 am
Forum: Wellness, Diet & Fitness
Topic: Would this site still function with a text-only O.S.?
Replies: 15
Views: 3552

Re: Would this site still function with a text-only O.S.?

Hello,

I'm currently visiting dhammawheel.com through elinks, a text-only browser. Except for not being able to see any avatars and emoticons, the experience is rather good. See attached screenshots.
by matais
Fri Aug 17, 2012 2:35 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Mental vs physical feeling?
Replies: 10
Views: 1877

Re: Metal vs physical feeling?

You are asking a question under a particular plane of existence and expecting an answer under the same plane of existence because you are thinking under that particular plane (a view).....by doing so, you are limiting yourself.....this is a mental barrier......it does not exist.....it is not real.....
by matais
Fri Aug 17, 2012 2:16 pm
Forum: Theravāda for Beginners
Topic: Theravada attainment
Replies: 10
Views: 3316

Re: Theravada attainment

The highest form of attainment is that of an arahant - a being who is free from greed, hatred, and delusion. You can reach this by following the Noble Eightfold Path - Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Concentration, and Right Mindfulness...
by matais
Thu Aug 16, 2012 12:10 pm
Forum: Introductions
Topic: Hello!
Replies: 11
Views: 2171

Re: Hello!

reflection wrote:Welcome!

As a suggestion: Perhaps you could post where you live so you can come into contact with other practitioners locally.

With metta,
Reflection
Hi Reflection,
I'm from the Netherlands. I feel uncomfortable being more precise than that though.

All the best,
Matais