Search found 14 matches

by Richard Paul Johnson
Tue Aug 07, 2012 4:27 pm
Forum: Early Buddhism
Topic: Buddhism before Theravada
Replies: 24
Views: 11872

Buddhism before Theravada

Hey guys, I came accross this great series on audiodharma, just recommending it here for everyone and putting this post up as a possible discussion for everything and anything raised in the six part series. http://www.audiodharma.org/series/207/talk/2602/" onclick="window.open(this.href);r...
by Richard Paul Johnson
Sun Aug 05, 2012 6:32 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Buddhism and Sexuality?
Replies: 32
Views: 9528

Re: Buddhism and Sexuality?

iRichard Paul Johnson The Bhikkhuni Controversy is not just a Thai one, it is across Theravada and also within Tibetan Buddhism, the Bhikkhuni line died out and it is a vinaya issue, something VERY IMPORTANT when it comes to the legitimacy of an ordination, which allows them participation in sangha...
by Richard Paul Johnson
Sat Aug 04, 2012 10:20 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Buddhism and Sexuality?
Replies: 32
Views: 9528

Re: Buddhism and Sexuality?

Hi Richard, It is possible for stream entrants and once-returners to have sex, but not non-returners and arahanths. So 50% of the path to nibbana ie full enlightenment IS possible while being sexually active. I hope that answers your question to some degree- I don't understand how a person can be s...
by Richard Paul Johnson
Sat Aug 04, 2012 9:43 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Buddhism and Sexuality?
Replies: 32
Views: 9528

Re: Buddhism and Sexuality?

Thankyou for your response. The division between Monasticism and Laity im talking about is that... if sexuality and family etc is totally excluded from Dhamma practice then the Dhamma will only ever be available to the religious elite that choose monasticism, while the rest of mankind would have a ...
by Richard Paul Johnson
Sat Aug 04, 2012 9:26 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Buddhism and Sexuality?
Replies: 32
Views: 9528

Re: Buddhism and Sexuality?

The division between Monasticism and Laity im talking about is that... if sexuality and family etc is totally excluded from Dhamma practice then the Dhamma will only ever be available to the religious elite that choose monasticism, while the rest of mankind would have a sub-standard Dhamma. I know ...
by Richard Paul Johnson
Sat Aug 04, 2012 8:42 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Buddhism and Sexuality?
Replies: 32
Views: 9528

Re: Buddhism and Sexuality?

The division between Monasticism and Laity im talking about is that... if sexuality and family etc is totally excluded from Dhamma practice then the Dhamma will only ever be available to the religious elite that choose monasticism, while the rest of mankind would have a sub-standard Dhamma. I know ...
by Richard Paul Johnson
Sat Aug 04, 2012 7:34 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Buddhism and Sexuality?
Replies: 32
Views: 9528

Re: Buddhism and Sexuality?

The Tantric sexuality in Vajrayana Buddhism is generally not practiced by monastics, but by laity. The mainstream position in Vajrayana is that a Monk/Nun must be fully celibate. I agree that sexuality can be simply a way of seeking pleasure, but it can also be more than that. Indeed, Tibet was a k...
by Richard Paul Johnson
Sat Aug 04, 2012 6:04 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Buddhism and Sexuality?
Replies: 32
Views: 9528

Re: Buddhism and Sexuality?

True, Renunciation is a key virtue, but doesnt the Middle Way mean that you must also Renunciate some aspects of Renunciation? Ie: dont go into uber-extremes? Otherwise you become attached to Renunciation? Renunciation is a path of letting go of things counterproductive to enlightenment, i.e, keepi...
by Richard Paul Johnson
Sat Aug 04, 2012 6:00 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Buddhism and Sexuality?
Replies: 32
Views: 9528

Re: Buddhism and Sexuality?

Hey all, I have spent the past few days doing some research on the place of sexuality in various Buddhist traditions. There is a very wide range of thought, in most Mahayana schools there is an inclusivity around sexuality in practice which brings a sense of being able to practice properly while be...
by Richard Paul Johnson
Sat Aug 04, 2012 5:28 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Buddhism and Sexuality?
Replies: 32
Views: 9528

Re: Buddhism and Sexuality?

There are no easy answers to these questions, as a householder. The fact is that Buddhism has always regarded celibate monastic life as the ideal. And in practice most Mahayana Buddhist schools are just as strict as the Theravada on this factor - certainly the sect of Chan Buddhism I studied under ...
by Richard Paul Johnson
Sat Aug 04, 2012 5:23 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Buddhism and Sexuality?
Replies: 32
Views: 9528

Re: Buddhism and Sexuality?

Most of the Suttas on the topic seem to suggest that marriage is workable, there are many ways for spouses to practice together, and obviously they will have some sexual component in that relationship, but there are two points. First, sex is sensual pleasure - how can it be lauded? Second, "Th...
by Richard Paul Johnson
Sat Aug 04, 2012 4:36 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Buddhism and Sexuality?
Replies: 32
Views: 9528

Buddhism and Sexuality?

Hey all, I have spent the past few days doing some research on the place of sexuality in various Buddhist traditions. There is a very wide range of thought, in most Mahayana schools there is an inclusivity around sexuality in practice which brings a sense of being able to practice properly while bei...
by Richard Paul Johnson
Fri Aug 03, 2012 5:38 pm
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: staying awake during meditation, non standard ideas welcome.
Replies: 50
Views: 12167

Re: staying awake during meditation, non standard ideas welcome.

There is a book called "Living, Dreaming, Dying: wisdom of Tibetan psychology" by Rob Nairn, its an extremely good introduction to dream yoga, i practiced it and regularly experienced lucid dreaming. I feel like Theravada has something to learn from this kindof dream yoga.
by Richard Paul Johnson
Fri Aug 03, 2012 4:14 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: What is Wrong with Buddha Nature
Replies: 205
Views: 46152

Re: What is Wrong with Buddha Nature

Hey guys, Hmm... i always struggle with this one. To me, the difference on most issues (though not all), including Buddha nature, between Mahayana/Vajrayana and Theravada is purely semantic, though i am by no means an expert on these things. Buddha nature in the Mahayana tradition seems to be basica...