Search found 23 matches

by thljcl
Fri Mar 11, 2016 6:58 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Did the Buddha contradict himself?
Replies: 62
Views: 10479

Re: Did the Buddha contradict himself?

There are a lot of outsiders who tried to “analyze” Buddha’s teaching by comparing it to the then prevailing philosophical or religious thoughts. I do not think that they have been on the right path to properly understand what Buddha taught. Buddha may have “borrowed” a lot of commonly-used terms; b...
by thljcl
Thu Mar 10, 2016 10:52 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Did the Buddha contradict himself?
Replies: 62
Views: 10479

Re: Did the Buddha contradict himself?

1 Is there a self? 2. Is there no self? 3. Did Buddha teach that there is no self? 4. Did Buddha teach that there is a self? 5. Did Buddha only say that five aggregates are not self? 6. Did Buddha imply that there is a self beyond “five aggregates”? If we say that there is a self, that is wrong view...
by thljcl
Thu Mar 10, 2016 10:04 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Did the Buddha contradict himself?
Replies: 62
Views: 10479

Re: Did the Buddha contradict himself?

Well. Let’s start with a couple of inappropriate questions due to subtle wrong views of people. 1. Is there a self? 2. Is there no self? 3. Did Buddha teach that there is no self? 4. Did Buddha teach that there is a self? 5. Did Buddha only say that five aggregates are not self? 6. Did Buddha imply ...
by thljcl
Wed Feb 03, 2016 3:49 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: The Production of the Eye.
Replies: 81
Views: 8576

Re: The Production of the Eye.

It’s not that the worldling produces eyes. In fact, the very question of “Who sees” is invalid. The same can be said of “who feels”. While the meaning of “eye” is not restrictive to the biological definition of “eye”, it should be understood as one of three that makes “seeing”, namely “eye”, “form”,...
by thljcl
Fri Jul 17, 2015 3:45 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Bunch of personal anaylsizing + Does true compassion really exist? Isn't everything egocentric?
Replies: 70
Views: 13546

Re: Does true compassion really exist? Isn't everything egocentric?

Buddha does teach us to be compassionate. I must rephrase your questions in order to give my answers according to Dhamma. Your question revolves on two points: 1. Human beings are fundamentally egocentric; that is care for themselves the most. Whenever there arise the conflicts of interest between o...
by thljcl
Thu Apr 23, 2015 6:59 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: There is nothing either good or bad ...
Replies: 19
Views: 4479

Re: There is nothing either good or bad ...

"Why, then, ’tis none to you, for there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so." Hamlet, Shakespeare What do you think of this verse from Hamlet? Is it our thoughts and perceptions which make something "good" or "bad"? Wrong, thinking does not make thi...
by thljcl
Fri Dec 05, 2014 7:56 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: First and Third Noble Truth
Replies: 533
Views: 101083

Re: First and Third Noble Truth

On the other note, obviously lay disciples are expected to achieve arahantship in this very life as well, at least in the Four Nikayas. From SN 55.54 Mahanama the Sakyan said to the Blessed One: “… I have not heard and learnt in the presence of the Blessed One how is a wise lay follower who is sick,...
by thljcl
Fri Dec 05, 2014 7:54 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: First and Third Noble Truth
Replies: 533
Views: 101083

Re: First and Third Noble Truth

Now, it would seem there are various speculations in regard to feelings. Such is known by some: there is bodily feeling and there is mental feeling. There are some people who have speculated exactly when and how the cessation of suffering comes to be. This noble truth of cessation of suffering could...
by thljcl
Tue Nov 25, 2014 4:35 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Sensual Desires and Aversions (Advice)
Replies: 20
Views: 4837

Re: Sensual Desires and Aversions (Advice)

I certainly wish to cut them at the non metaphorical root, but naturally as a contemplative running solo, I've nothing but the suttas, books, and online Dhamma talks to give me an indication of whether I am doing anything right. So I was hoping a good ole' group pow wow might help with passing arou...
by thljcl
Mon Nov 24, 2014 9:06 pm
Forum: Vipassanā / Satipaṭṭhāna Bhāvana
Topic: Right way to practice Right Mindfulness?
Replies: 16
Views: 6326

Re: Right way to practice Right Mindfulness?

Dear SarathW, thanks for sharing the audio talk given by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana. From what I’ve heard from Gunaratana, I realized that he advocated the use of mindfulness of breathing to fulfill four establishments of mindfulness. Again, I use the same abbreviation as follows: 1. Connected Disco...
by thljcl
Mon Nov 24, 2014 6:47 am
Forum: Vipassanā / Satipaṭṭhāna Bhāvana
Topic: Right way to practice Right Mindfulness?
Replies: 16
Views: 6326

Re: Right way to practice Right Mindfulness?

Let’s take an in-depth look on the understanding of MN 10 by referring to Buddha’s explanation found in other suttas from the Four Nikayas. 1. SN=Connected Discourses 2. DN=Long Discourses 3. MN=Middle-Length Discourses 4. AN=Numerical Discourses From MN 10 “Bhikkhus, this is the direct path for the...
by thljcl
Mon Nov 17, 2014 7:33 am
Forum: Early Buddhism
Topic: Misunderstanding of sakaya-ditthi.
Replies: 74
Views: 19553

Re: Misunderstanding of sakaya-ditthi.

Cessation of “Identity” is not the same as destruction of “Identity View”. Whether if you are the one who practices for the fruit of stream-enterer, once-returner, non-returner or arahant, you practices for the cessation of craving and clinging of five aggregates. Complete destruction of craving onl...
by thljcl
Fri Nov 14, 2014 9:01 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Sensual Desires and Aversions (Advice)
Replies: 20
Views: 4837

Re: Sensual Desires and Aversions (Advice)

The practice of restraint of sense faculties is closely related to the practice of four establishments of mindfulness; as both depends on each other. First of all, you need to understand that with regards of form, there would be enticing form, repulsive form, and neither enticing nor repulsive form....
by thljcl
Thu Nov 13, 2014 2:00 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Faith vs Determination.
Replies: 30
Views: 5678

Re: Faith vs Determination.

“Faith” as being described is a conveniently borrowed term; but it does not necessarily mean the same as most people think. There are five powers/faculties: faith, energy, mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom. These five of them are co-related to each other. Five faculties is one of the ways Buddh...
by thljcl
Thu Nov 13, 2014 12:56 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Right View. Expression vs practice
Replies: 32
Views: 4657

Re: Right View. Expression vs practice

The kamma can be understood as action by body, speech, and mind; it can also be understood as result driven by action; it can be understood as volitional formation. As the name suggests, the forefront of kamma is ultimately volition or mind. What one perceives would have direct impact over what one ...