While they introduced a number of new terms and methods, the canonical Abhidhamma texts are doctrinally conservative. Many of the concepts familiar from later Abhidhamma are not found—ultimate vs. conventional truth, mind moments, kalāpas, the idea that each phenomena is defined by its sabhāva or i...

Besides this thread and retro’s refutation of the abhidhamma, just wondering if others would know of or have come across other threads on here or other forums that might be worth taking a look into that debates on the authenticity of the Abhidhamma? As well it would mention something new on the ref...

In that case, when living the lay life, it seems safer to try and "do the right thing" in terms of "non-harming," "non-stealing," "non-lying," "generosity," and "sexual responsibility" while one continues with private and group Dhamma prac...

There is merit, there is virtue. Those two are not same, albeit there is overlap. But for simplicity of discussion, we bias on their difference for now. I may be misunderstanding how you are using the terminology. If by virtue you mean sīla, then it is just one possible contributor to merit (puñña)...

I happened to come across a sutta on politics for sangha called Attha hitha parahitha sutta where lord budda advised bikkus to better their own minds (attha ,hitha) on sila visuddhi pragna vimukti and darshana first while serving the follwers minds (,para hitha) which explains s the bikkus on how t...

Hi SDC, ... often people like to say that being politically/socially involved is “part of my Dhamma practice”, when the truth is often the other way around: that their practice is a part of their worldly lifestyle, an order with totally different implications. All in all, there is no point in passin...

Mike wrote You need to register here: https://chat.openai.com/ then you just talk to it. Thanks Mike, it is more complicated than DeepL or Google or Yandex translation sites. With those I just copy and paste the Chinese sutta, and right away the translation appears. So far I have been satisfied wit...

What exactly is ChatGPT translator. I tried to access it, and could not. Do I need to download an app? You need to register here: https://chat.openai.com/ then you just talk to it. It's under some load, so sometimes will tell you to come back later... What is your opinion of dhammawheel.com? I am a...

Here is some useful discussion of the disagreements over Jhāna by Bhikkhu Dhammananado: What strikes me the most is that it seems to me that no sides acknowledges that both interpretations are actually possibile and have their strenghts and that the matter, and this is very unfortunate because I thi...

I see it as that need to affiliate that I’m always going on about, and this notion that “my side” leading in the popularity contest is somehow a victory in Dhamma. I think we all go through a period of being enamored with our chosen information, but to relish in it and call that practice is clearly...

I'd note a couple of things: 1. You can read another two translations, including Bhikkhu Bodhi's here: https://suttacentral.net/sn22.53 2. This sutta is in the khandha samyutta, so I think it should be read in that context. Here are some of Bhikkhu Bodhi's comments: “Bhikkhus, one who is engaged is ...

I'd note a couple of things: 1. You can read another two translations, including Bhikkhu Bodhi's here: https://suttacentral.net/sn22.53 2. This sutta is in the khandha samyutta, so I think it should be read in that context. Here are some of Bhikkhu Bodhi's comments: “Bhikkhus, one who is engaged is ...

Thanks, Mike Perhaps taste, the smell comes under the feeling category. "Furthermore, the monk remains focused on mental qualities in & of themselves with reference to the sixfold internal & external sense media. And how does he remain focused on mental qualities in & of themselves...

Why Satipathana Sutta has not mentioned mindfulness in the speech? https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.010.than.html Again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is one who acts in full awareness when going forward and returning;147 who acts in full awareness when looking ahead and looking away; who acts ...

Interestingly, the suttas do not mention what happens to the eyes. Or the Pali commentaries, as far as I'm aware... Is there anywhere in the scriptures that speaks directly to whether one should have one's eyes open or shut, and if either, why? No, in the Pali texts nothing is stated on the matter....