Search found 95 matches

by Jack
Tue Jul 03, 2012 8:38 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Online teachers
Replies: 11
Views: 2644

Re: Online teachers

Lucky, there are quite a few very good teachers that use Skype. It has worked for me and I know lots of people who have had success with this method. Try http://alohadharma.wordpress.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; or http://www.pragmaticdharma.com/forum/" onclick=...
by Jack
Tue Sep 27, 2011 3:16 pm
Forum: Vipassanā / Satipaṭṭhāna Bhāvana
Topic: Satipatthana: instructions for Vipassana?
Replies: 34
Views: 8532

Re: Satipatthana: instructions for Vipassana?

Hi sammasati (i.e the 4 satipatthana) What's the use of just discovering the 1st truth other than to stir motivation to get out of there? The satipatthanas cover all 4 truth. I think the 1st Noble Truth involves both noticing dukkha in one's life and learning to relate to this dukkha in a skillful ...
by Jack
Mon Sep 19, 2011 12:38 pm
Forum: Vipassanā / Satipaṭṭhāna Bhāvana
Topic: Mental Noting
Replies: 41
Views: 14152

Re: Mental Noting

I finally study Dzocghen and Mahamudra, which finally release me from this counting technique. It directly see mind nakedly, without any modification. Look for this book. "The flight of Garuda" or any other Dzocghen or Mahamudra book. It will help you. =========== I find vipassana noting ...
by Jack
Tue Sep 06, 2011 9:47 pm
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: Shorter session?
Replies: 7
Views: 2002

Re: Shorter session?

I've also had this need to quit after a short time. For me, it was an urge with no internal dialogue to go with it. I tried just looking at it with little luck. It got to the point where I became fascinated by this urge. I would start a meditation session hoping it would appear so I could study it s...
by Jack
Sat Jul 30, 2011 8:45 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Human realm vs. Heaven
Replies: 33
Views: 9105

Re: Human realm vs. Heaven

Thanks for the quotes about rebirth. They were informative. But, I was looking for a sutta reference that specifically mentioned belief in rebirth as part of the 8-Fold Path. The Sutta that Kirk and I have now both quoted is about the 8-fold path: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.117.t...
by Jack
Thu Jul 28, 2011 2:19 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Human realm vs. Heaven
Replies: 33
Views: 9105

Re: Human realm vs. Heaven

Thanks for the quotes about rebirth. They were informative. But, I was looking for a sutta reference that specifically mentioned belief in rebirth as part of the 8-Fold Path. Anybody know of any? The references I have found about right view (see below) as part of the 8-Fold Path (ways to alleviate s...
by Jack
Thu Jul 28, 2011 12:54 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Human realm vs. Heaven
Replies: 33
Views: 9105

Re: Human realm vs. Heaven

I think readers should decide for themseleves the difference between what the Buddha taught to reduce suffering Namely, the 8-fold path. And there is the part about wrong view regarding rebirth. ================ Kirk, Is rebirth being part of wrong view found in the sutttas? It might be there but I...
by Jack
Wed Jul 27, 2011 8:25 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Human realm vs. Heaven
Replies: 33
Views: 9105

Re: Human realm vs. Heaven

Are you aware that there are several translations of this sutta? The one I quoted was by Payutto Bhikkhu. Still another one is by Bhikkhu Bodhi. There are many more. My reading is that all mean the same thing. Going on in the sutta the Buddha when asked about life after death and other metaphysical...
by Jack
Tue Jul 26, 2011 5:51 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Human realm vs. Heaven
Replies: 33
Views: 9105

Re: Human realm vs. Heaven

Jack[/quote] Agreeing to disagree is fine, but that quotation is not what MN63 says. "So, Malunkyaputta, remember what is undeclared by me as undeclared, and what is declared by me as declared. And what is undeclared by me? 'The cosmos is eternal,' is undeclared by me. 'The cosmos is not eterna...
by Jack
Tue Jul 26, 2011 4:39 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Human realm vs. Heaven
Replies: 33
Views: 9105

Re: Human realm vs. Heaven

Sorry Jack, I don't agree with you. The mental states that you've described are mostly illusions or delusions created momentraily by mind altering drugs. [snipp)I can't help whether you believe it or not, but there is life after death, and there are heavens as well as hells. I used to be a sceptic ...
by Jack
Tue Jul 26, 2011 1:38 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Human realm vs. Heaven
Replies: 33
Views: 9105

Re: Human realm vs. Heaven

Hi Jack, Your question is short, but the answer would be a long one; to make it short you will need to practice vipassana meditation and keep the five precepts strictly. If you want to be sure of a rebirth either as a human or a god/deva there is only one way; i.e. to attain Sula Sotapana at least,...
by Jack
Mon Jul 25, 2011 4:05 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: kalamas sutta
Replies: 17
Views: 3800

Re: kalamas sutta

My understanding is that the sutta says pay attention and respect to the wise but they aren't the last word. The Buddha said come and see. He didn't say believe what I say just because I say it. He is saying try out the teachings to see if they work for you or not. I think this sutta sets out a high...
by Jack
Mon Jul 25, 2011 3:58 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Human realm vs. Heaven
Replies: 33
Views: 9105

Re: Human realm vs. Heaven

I thought about this and came to the following conclusion: As long as there is a Buddhasasana, it is better to strive to be reborn as a human, again and a gain, because then you will have the opportunity to practice Dhamma. On the other hand, if, while in a Buddhasasana, we aim for heaven, then whe...
by Jack
Mon Jul 25, 2011 3:55 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Frightening Experience
Replies: 10
Views: 3120

Re: Frightening Experience

A daily meditation practice (slowly) builds up our mental muscles and ability to keep equanimity. From what you stated, I think the emotional load you faced was far more than your ability to deal with it. It is like working out at the gym. You are able over time to slowly increase the weight you can...
by Jack
Tue Jul 19, 2011 6:40 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Sangha proves that dhamma is not peaceful
Replies: 5
Views: 2053

Re: Sangha proves that dhamma is not peaceful

This is mostly a philosophical argument, not a textual one, and I have a feeling it may have been covered at some point in Buddhism's 2500-year history, but I hope my little essay inspires some interesting thoughts. -- When Siddhartha Gautama became Shakyamuni Buddha he decided against peace. What ...