Search found 138 matches

by philosopher
Wed Sep 26, 2018 6:26 am
Forum: Theravāda for Beginners
Topic: Are these traditional Buddha images?
Replies: 8
Views: 2787

Re: Are these traditional Buddha images?

I'm a bit confused now. I read in another thread that the Buddha explicitly said that no images of him were to be made (if I recall correctly). Why is it then that there are always Buddha images even in orthodox Theravadin monasteries? I think this is the thread that I had read: https://dhammawheel...
by philosopher
Wed Sep 26, 2018 5:57 am
Forum: Theravāda for Beginners
Topic: Are these traditional Buddha images?
Replies: 8
Views: 2787

Re: Are these traditional Buddha images?

There is a Thai activist organization founded by Acharavadee Wongsakon dedicated to protecting the proper use of Buddha images ... and then, why would you be attached to a certain 'look' the Buddha would need to have? Might he not have been sitting as such, looking at a sunset? Might he not have be...
by philosopher
Wed Sep 26, 2018 5:42 am
Forum: Shrine Room
Topic: Has anyone ordered / seen in person Three Hands Buddha statues?
Replies: 11
Views: 5412

Re: Has anyone ordered / seen in person Three Hands Buddha statues?

Holy Spit, they're expensive! Don't do it! Yes, I agree. Similar statues can be found in the big DIY centres with outdoor gardening sections - and also in some of the PDSA charity shops in the UK, for less than that ! . Oooh, great idea! I will check out my local gardening stores. Re: charity shops...
by philosopher
Wed Sep 26, 2018 5:32 am
Forum: Shrine Room
Topic: Has anyone ordered / seen in person Three Hands Buddha statues?
Replies: 11
Views: 5412

Re: Has anyone ordered / seen in person Three Hands Buddha statues?

There are figures in the same posture at our local monastery, placed on either side of the main buddha-rupa as if listening or attending. For this reason, I've always assumed (and I could be wrong - I never thought to ask!) that they represent the Buddha's disciples, rather the Buddha himself. Agai...
by philosopher
Sun Sep 23, 2018 3:44 am
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: Are posthumous gifts considered acts of generosity, and do they make merit?
Replies: 3
Views: 1560

Are posthumous gifts considered acts of generosity, and do they make merit?

If one leaves to, say, Buddhist world organizations a sum of money after one's death, is this still an act of generosity? Would setting up a fund that gives gifts into perpetuity (through investing) keep generating merit that would benefit the giver in his/her future births?


:anjali:
by philosopher
Sun Sep 23, 2018 3:40 am
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: Why Buddhism is True by Robert Wright
Replies: 13
Views: 4980

Re: Why Buddhism is True by Robert Wright

His Coursera course is available here: https://www.coursera.org/learn/science-of-meditation

I'm on the last week. It's been... entertaining.
by philosopher
Sun Sep 23, 2018 2:43 am
Forum: Theravāda for Beginners
Topic: Are these traditional Buddha images?
Replies: 8
Views: 2787

Are these traditional Buddha images?

They are being sold as Buddha images, but I'm wondering if they are traditional. If so, what is their historical context / significance? https://www.wayfair.com/decor-pillows/pdp/design-toscano-bodhisattva-discovering-nirvana-asian-statue-txg5045.html https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Three-Hand...
by philosopher
Sun Sep 23, 2018 2:20 am
Forum: Shrine Room
Topic: Has anyone ordered / seen in person Three Hands Buddha statues?
Replies: 11
Views: 5412

Re: Has anyone ordered / seen in person Three Hands Buddha statues?

JamesTheGiant wrote: Sat Sep 22, 2018 7:58 am Holy Spit, they're expensive!
Don't do it!
I know... they seem overpriced.
by philosopher
Sun Sep 23, 2018 2:18 am
Forum: Shrine Room
Topic: Has anyone ordered / seen in person Three Hands Buddha statues?
Replies: 11
Views: 5412

Re: Has anyone ordered / seen in person Three Hands Buddha statues?

I especially love the "pondering" Buddhas (is that what that posture is called?) in the top row. There are figures in the same posture at our local monastery, placed on either side of the main buddha-rupa as if listening or attending. For this reason, I've always assumed (and I could be w...
by philosopher
Sun Sep 23, 2018 2:14 am
Forum: Shrine Room
Topic: Any recommendations for how to find local stores that might carry Buddha statues for a shrine?
Replies: 9
Views: 3670

Re: Any recommendations for how to find local stores that might carry Buddha statues for a shrine?

Is price / budget an issue? If so, Ross department stores and dd's discounts have very inexpensive ones. Just look in their home furnishings area; they have some small to medium sized ones, almost always under $20. Oh, wow - thank you!!! I'd never have guessed. I will check out my local stores. :) ...
by philosopher
Sat Sep 22, 2018 6:01 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Do you like or dislike devotional practices?
Replies: 25
Views: 4486

Re: Do you like or dislike devotional practices?

What are some examples of devotional practices that one might do at home? I must be a very typical Western Buddhist, because I don't even know what this entails. Chanting? Lighting incense in front of a Buddha image? Yes, many Westerners that I know do both on a regular basis, and also make offerin...
by philosopher
Sat Sep 22, 2018 2:29 am
Forum: Shrine Room
Topic: Any recommendations for how to find local stores that might carry Buddha statues for a shrine?
Replies: 9
Views: 3670

Re: Any recommendations for how to find local stores that might carry Buddha statues for a shrine?

Are you in the USA? I find it's the New Age and Hippy stores which sell Buddha statues. Some of them are actually quite nice. They are those stores which sell lots of incense and tie-dye clothing and ethnic wooden stuff. Hippy Junk, really, although I'm sort of a hippy myself. Yes, USA. :) I did ch...
by philosopher
Sat Sep 22, 2018 2:27 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Any recommended teachings, talks, or advice for dealing with noise?
Replies: 19
Views: 4296

Re: Any recommended teachings, talks, or advice for dealing with noise?

I fully believe that it is possible to perceive sound in this way, but I am unsure about how to achieve this in practical terms. I think I need more detailed guidance. Is this a perception to adopt - i.e. just sound (perhaps use a noting technique? "sound, sound")? Yes, I'm sorry if it so...
by philosopher
Sat Sep 22, 2018 2:24 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Any recommended teachings, talks, or advice for dealing with noise?
Replies: 19
Views: 4296

Re: Any recommended teachings, talks, or advice for dealing with noise?

@Volovksy and @paul, I have tried many noise canceling headphones - including top of the line ones by Bose as well ones designed for shooting ranges. None block the sounds of my neighbors - loud voices, children screaming, dogs barking, etc. Sad to hear. I also was struggling with noise a lot (alth...
by philosopher
Sat Sep 22, 2018 2:22 am
Forum: Shrine Room
Topic: Shrine Devotional Practice: A Wizard did it Primer
Replies: 2
Views: 2621

Re: Shrine Devotional Practice: A Wizard did it Primer

Thank you for sharing this, Wizard in the Forest. I'm someone who has not dabbled in devotional practices and this gives me some wonderful ideas about how and where to start. :anjali: