Beginners questions
- jcsuperstar
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Re: Beginners questions
who says you cant have a family and practice the dhamma?
สัพเพ สัตตา สุขีตา โหนตุ
the mountain may be heavy in and of itself, but if you're not trying to carry it it's not heavy to you- Ajaan Suwat
the mountain may be heavy in and of itself, but if you're not trying to carry it it's not heavy to you- Ajaan Suwat
Re: Beginners questions
you dont have to leave your family, no one is telling you to do that
You only become a monk and renounce family life if you really feel that it will be a benefit to your practice to become enlightened. There are many householders in the pali canon that achieve a great deal, from stream-winner up to to non-returner. Some even became arahants without ever becoming a monk (although as far as i have read this seems to be when they were on their death bed)
You only become a monk and renounce family life if you really feel that it will be a benefit to your practice to become enlightened. There are many householders in the pali canon that achieve a great deal, from stream-winner up to to non-returner. Some even became arahants without ever becoming a monk (although as far as i have read this seems to be when they were on their death bed)
“The teacher willed that this world appear to me
as impermanent, unstable, insubstantial.
Mind, let me leap into the victor’s teaching,
carry me over the great flood, so hard to pass.”
as impermanent, unstable, insubstantial.
Mind, let me leap into the victor’s teaching,
carry me over the great flood, so hard to pass.”
Re: Beginners questions
I think the Theravada approach is the same as the other approaches. In fact, i would say Theravada offers many more teachings than both Taoism and Mahayana for one living the household life. There is no need to leave our family.Livindesert wrote:So how would taking up a bowl and leaving my family (which would get me in legal trouble in this day and age) be better than a Taoist approach of enjoying the moment? Or a Mahayana approach of keeping the family and practicing dhamma?
With metta
Element
- Livindesert
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Re: Beginners questions
I would be interested in a quick overview of some of thoseI would say Theravada offers many more teachings than both Taoism and Mahayana for one living the household life.
- retrofuturist
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Re: Beginners questions
Greetings Livindesert,
See this thread for examples...
Suttas for the Householder
http://www.dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=259" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Metta,
Retro.
See this thread for examples...
Suttas for the Householder
http://www.dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=259" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Metta,
Retro.
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
- Livindesert
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Re: Beginners questions
Thanks for the sutra links
O.k. something I just thought about if this constantly changing thing is not realted to some sort of a self then isn't everything you inherit beyond your control? I guess at least a good thing from the same scenario would be someone else besides you would benefit from your good deeds.
O.k. something I just thought about if this constantly changing thing is not realted to some sort of a self then isn't everything you inherit beyond your control? I guess at least a good thing from the same scenario would be someone else besides you would benefit from your good deeds.
- jcsuperstar
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Re: Beginners questions
if you inherit a million dollars is how you use it beyond your control?
สัพเพ สัตตา สุขีตา โหนตุ
the mountain may be heavy in and of itself, but if you're not trying to carry it it's not heavy to you- Ajaan Suwat
the mountain may be heavy in and of itself, but if you're not trying to carry it it's not heavy to you- Ajaan Suwat
- Livindesert
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Re: Beginners questions
In another post on the board.
O.k. if their is no self which aggregate gets to choose which other aggregates it joins up with?When a Buddha-to-be in the Tusita heaven is getting ready to take rebirth in the human realm, he chooses the circumstances (gender, caste, location) most ideal to helping the most people.
- Livindesert
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Re: Beginners questions
Exactly I would only get one shot and no others to spend that money. After I died the remaining money would just go to someone else.jcsuperstar wrote:if you inherit a million dollars is how you use it beyond your control?
- retrofuturist
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Re: Beginners questions
Greetings Livindesert,
Metta,
Retro.
Good question... I don't see there's much choice in the matter. Furthermore, don't forget also that Gotama was not enlightened prior to becoming the Buddha.Livindesert wrote:O.k. if their is no self which aggregate gets to choose which other aggregates it joins up with?
Metta,
Retro.
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
- Dhammanando
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Re: Beginners questions
Hi Livindesert,
Best wishes,
Dhammanando Bhikkhu
It's a decision and all decisions belong to the aggregate of formations. In fact everything that's mental but isn't a feeling, perception or cognition, belongs to this aggregate.Livindesert wrote:O.k. if their is no self which aggregate gets to choose which other aggregates it joins up with?
Best wishes,
Dhammanando Bhikkhu
Rūpehi bhikkhave arūpā santatarā.
Arūpehi nirodho santataro ti.
“Bhikkhus, the formless is more peaceful than the form realms.
Cessation is more peaceful than the formless realms.”
(Santatarasutta, Iti 73)
Arūpehi nirodho santataro ti.
“Bhikkhus, the formless is more peaceful than the form realms.
Cessation is more peaceful than the formless realms.”
(Santatarasutta, Iti 73)
- Ngawang Drolma.
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Re: Beginners questions
I benefitted from reading those reasons.Element wrote:Hi Craigclw_uk wrote:One can be a householder without a family and still have these virtues and one can be a householder with a family and lack these virtues.
I agree here however this understanding was not the intention of my post. I was merely listing some reasons for having a family.
Regards,
E
Thanks
-
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Re: Beginners questions
Like I have stated before I am quite new and have a few questions to ask our more experienced members, if they would be so kind as to lend some wisdom
When I examine my motives for practice, it seems that the answers I come up with are very self-centered. I want wisdom, I aspire to enlightenment, why, because I want it! When I examine why I want it, well I'm not 100% sure, but I am beginning to feel my motives may be selfish and ego-driven. I strive to be ego-free and unselfish and believe practice is the way to accomplish this, but if practise has its roots in ego and selfishness can is this possible? Has anyone else encountered this and how does one overcome this?
Is the ambition to be desire free a desire in itself? And if so is it not self defeating?
This is what I have so far, only two questions but the two biggest I have so far. I am sure there will be more
When I examine my motives for practice, it seems that the answers I come up with are very self-centered. I want wisdom, I aspire to enlightenment, why, because I want it! When I examine why I want it, well I'm not 100% sure, but I am beginning to feel my motives may be selfish and ego-driven. I strive to be ego-free and unselfish and believe practice is the way to accomplish this, but if practise has its roots in ego and selfishness can is this possible? Has anyone else encountered this and how does one overcome this?
Is the ambition to be desire free a desire in itself? And if so is it not self defeating?
This is what I have so far, only two questions but the two biggest I have so far. I am sure there will be more
He who formerly was wreckless and afterwards became sober
brightens this world, like the moon when freed from clouds
brightens this world, like the moon when freed from clouds
- Livindesert
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Re: Beginners questions
Dhammanando wrote:Hi Livindesert,
It's a decision and all decisions belong to the aggregate of formations. In fact everything that's mental but isn't a feeling, perception or cognition, belongs to this aggregate.Livindesert wrote:O.k. if their is no self which aggregate gets to choose which other aggregates it joins up with?
Best wishes,
Dhammanando Bhikkhu
So are you saying that choosing rebirth is illusion?
Re: Beginners questions
Hi,
There is a story in the Sutta-piṭaka about Ānanda-thera and one bhikkhunī who was in love with him. Ānanda-thera teaches her that this body comes into being through food, craving, conceit, and sexual intercourse. By relying on the food, craving, and conceit one can abandon food, craving, and conceit. But sexual intercourse is of no use on the path. In relation to conceit Ānanda-thera said:Slartibartfast wrote:When I examine my motives for practice, it seems that the answers I come up with are very self-centered. I want wisdom, I aspire to enlightenment, why, because I want it! When I examine why I want it, well I'm not 100% sure, but I am beginning to feel my motives may be selfish and ego-driven. I strive to be ego-free and unselfish and believe practice is the way to accomplish this, but if practise has its roots in ego and selfishness can is this possible? Has anyone else encountered this and how does one overcome this?
- "'This body comes into being through conceit. And yet it is by relying on conceit that conceit is to be abandoned.' Thus was it said. And in reference to what was it said? There is the case, sister, where a monk hears, 'The monk named such-and-such, they say, through the ending of the fermentations, has entered & remains in the fermentation-free awareness-release & discernment-release, having known & realized them for himself in the here & now.' The thought occurs to him, 'The monk named such-and-such, they say, through the ending of the fermentations, has entered & remains in the fermentation-free awareness-release & discernment-release, having known & realized them for himself in the here & now. Then why not me?' Then, at a later time, he abandons conceit, having relied on conceit. 'This body comes into being through conceit. And yet it is by relying on conceit that conceit is to be abandoned.' Thus was it said, and in reference to this was it said. — Bhikkhunī-sutta (AN 4.159)
Yes it is a desire, but a skillful one. According to the teaching in the Suttas it's not self-defeating, since it is like, using canonical analogy, going to the park. When you're not in the park, then you may have a desire to go there. After you find yourself in the desired place, you're free from desire to go where you are.Is the ambition to be desire free a desire in itself? And if so is it not self defeating?
Bhagavaṃmūlakā no, bhante, dhammā...