Search found 19 matches

by DorjePhurba
Tue Mar 23, 2010 9:32 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Books on the Brahmaviharas?
Replies: 5
Views: 2567

Books on the Brahmaviharas?

I'm interesting in learning about and practicing the brahmaviharas. Can anyone recommend any good books on the subject?

With metta,
Chris
by DorjePhurba
Tue Mar 09, 2010 6:15 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Many lifetimes of paramita development needed to be aryan?
Replies: 591
Views: 117194

Re: Many lifetimes of paramita development needed to be aryan?

Greetings saltspring, Im lovin it Retro. Sing it from the mountain top. The Buddha is cool. 8-) Metta, Retro. :) Retro, I completely agree with your surprise at the number of people who take the commentaries over the suttas, when the suttas explain things quite clearly in a good majority of cases. ...
by DorjePhurba
Fri Feb 26, 2010 10:04 pm
Forum: Samatha Bhāvana
Topic: Using Buddho to gain jhana
Replies: 14
Views: 7531

Using Buddho to gain jhana

Yes, yet another jhana question. I've read about the usage of the mantra buddho by Ven. Ajahn Chah's students and its usage in developing samadhi. Now, I'm still unclear of whether you can use Buddho as a means to enter jhana or if it is simply a tool to calm the mind down when its acting up and it ...
by DorjePhurba
Sat Feb 20, 2010 6:23 pm
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: A Glimmer of Light
Replies: 25
Views: 5923

Re: A Glimmer of Light

Not to go off-topic, but I think it is a little too far to throw out the whole visuddhimagga, rather it might be said that it's not so good when it comes to anapanasati samatha practice. This essay is good on this topic: http://www.budsas.org/ebud/ebmed058.htm" onclick="window.open(this.h...
by DorjePhurba
Sat Feb 20, 2010 6:19 pm
Forum: Samatha Bhāvana
Topic: What basis is there for seperating jhana into two?
Replies: 9
Views: 4339

Re: What basis is there for seperating jhana into two?

DorjePhurba, Ok. So I've come to the conclusion after reading some suttas and listening to a few talks that jhanic practice is fundamental to developing vipassana or insight. I have a copy of U Pandita's book 'In This Very Life' and he says there are two different jhanas. Samatha jhana and vipassan...
by DorjePhurba
Sat Feb 20, 2010 6:15 pm
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: A Glimmer of Light
Replies: 25
Views: 5923

Re: A Glimmer of Light

Thank you for the recommendations I was wondering what you meant by not taking everything 100% What if I interprate things incorrectly? Like the last poster said, you have to gather information for yourself and figure things out based upon looking for good sources of information. What I mean by wha...
by DorjePhurba
Sat Feb 20, 2010 4:05 pm
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: A Glimmer of Light
Replies: 25
Views: 5923

Re: A Glimmer of Light

Collective, I'd recommend you read Focused and Fearless by Shaila Catherine. It's the best book I've read on jhana and I've gone through the most popular. Just remember that not everything is 100 percent the way the author says it is. There is some room for interpretation, so just keep that in mind....
by DorjePhurba
Wed Feb 17, 2010 12:57 am
Forum: Samatha Bhāvana
Topic: What basis is there for seperating jhana into two?
Replies: 9
Views: 4339

What basis is there for seperating jhana into two?

Ok. So I've come to the conclusion after reading some suttas and listening to a few talks that jhanic practice is fundamental to developing vipassana or insight. I have a copy of U Pandita's book 'In This Very Life' and he says there are two different jhanas. Samatha jhana and vipassana jhana. Now I...
by DorjePhurba
Mon Feb 15, 2010 2:05 pm
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: Stillness or Blankness?
Replies: 16
Views: 3874

Re: Stillness or Blankness?

I think the easiest way to explain the difference is to ask what happens when you are focusing on the breath. When your mind becomes still are you aware of the feelings and sensations of the breath from beginning to end? It doesn't need to be perfect, but as you practice you should progressively be ...
by DorjePhurba
Fri Feb 12, 2010 9:49 pm
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: Shamatha or Vipassana? That is the question
Replies: 45
Views: 10585

Re: Shamatha or Vipassana? That is the question

TIlt, I think my question would be where in the suttas is there a distinction between samatha jhana and vipassana jhana. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the idea of vipassana jhana fairly new? What need is there for the idea of vipassana jhana if those who have done what the suttas say have achie...
by DorjePhurba
Thu Feb 11, 2010 2:34 pm
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: Shamatha or Vipassana? That is the question
Replies: 45
Views: 10585

Re: Shamatha or Vipassana? That is the question

I have to say that I am glad that many of you have responded to my question. As far as how IFeel at the moment I think I'm leaning more towards trying to attain jhana since it does seem that gaining insigjt is best done through jhanic concentration. I think the main thing that has confused me is the...
by DorjePhurba
Wed Feb 10, 2010 9:10 pm
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: Shamatha or Vipassana? That is the question
Replies: 45
Views: 10585

Shamatha or Vipassana? That is the question

As the subject says, I'm having trouble deciding whether to focus on shamatha or vipassana. I've read a lot lately on jhana, but I'm still confused as to whether it's necessary or not for awakening. I can't seem to get a straight answer on whether vipassana can be done while in a state of jhana. Som...
by DorjePhurba
Sat Feb 06, 2010 10:35 pm
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: Is the Satipatthana Sutta the direct path or the only path?
Replies: 31
Views: 8589

Is the Satipatthana Sutta the direct path or the only path?

I've been listening recently to Joseph Goldstein's talks on the Satipatthana Sutta and I decided to read it. Now, it starts off: Thus have I heard. At one time the Blessed One was living in the Kurus, at Kammasadamma, a market-town of the Kuru people. Then the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus as f...
by DorjePhurba
Mon Feb 01, 2010 7:16 pm
Forum: Samatha Bhāvana
Topic: Do you have to abstain from sex to achieve jhana?
Replies: 76
Views: 25313

Do you have to abstain from sex to achieve jhana?

Recently someone suggested that a meditator must abstain from sex in order to gain jhanic concentration. I've been reading a lot about jhana lately and have not come across anyone suggesting that. Could anyone shed some light and explain whether the Buddha ever said this?

Thanks,
Chris
by DorjePhurba
Fri Jan 22, 2010 4:28 pm
Forum: Samatha Bhāvana
Topic: 4 factors in the first jhana or 5?
Replies: 12
Views: 6264

4 factors in the first jhana or 5?

Earlier today someone posted on the thread about thoughts in jhana and gave a link to website that I found a bit intrigueing. The author believes there are 4 factors in the first jhana. The article is http://www.leighb.com/jhana_4factors.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; I...