Are monks in modern America allowed to have a few possessions like say the materials that comprise an altar and a few potted plants. I ask because I am an avid horticulture enthusiast.

Thank you for the input all. Becoming a monk is certainly not something to be taken lightly. I need to speak more about it with the Abbott at a local Monastery. I think working on reaching enlightenment while serving others would be a fine way to spend the rest of my life. I also enjoy learning and ...

Hello all, I haven't posted in a while and have not been keeping up on my reading and learning like I should. Due to a variety of factors, such as my past and due the direction in which I would like to see my life go, I have been giving serious consideration to beginning on the path to becoming a Bu...

I see Ceisiwr, that makes sense. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the matter.

Can you elaborate on the contention that the Earth is not a closed system? Thank you.

-Michael

Hello All, I was reading about reincarnation in "The Great Rebirth Debate" thread and I have a question for the experts on here. I understand from said thread that when a person passes away, their consciousness (energy) leaves their body and transmits to another, new person. But the number...

Thank you for sharing DooDoot and Lucas. I would enjoy seeing other forum member's Altars if you care to share.

-Michael

The purpose of this thread is to share your home Altar with other members of the dhammawheel.com Sangha. As a new Buddhist, I am not sure if this is tasteful or not and if not please feel free to let me know and the thread will end there. Otherwise, please post your home Altar setup. :buddha1: Here ...

I just ordered the Discourse on Elements from the Pāli Text Society. This will be the source for the rest of my Canonical literature.

-Michael

Yess i dont argue the fact that men can eyaculate and become aroused due to anal penetration, just that physiological speaking is less suitable than penis-vagina for obvious reasons. There are no reasons that are obvious to me.....can you please explain those reasons so that they may become obvious...

Thank you for the resources mikenz66. I will check these out and use them when deciding what to order. Though my bank account tells me to read more and order less for now. :jumping: BKh, sorry if my questions are a bit redundant at times. I don't mind dry and awkward. It is the message that counts. ...

Is it safe to assume the any publication in English by the Pāli Text Society is a sound translation?

Hi: I dont know what the suttas say about homosexuals and bisexuals, i have read about pandakas but eventually got bored and didnt get much from it. But my view on the subject hopefully from a buddhist perspective is: -Being homosexual or bisexual is unpleasant kamma or bad kamma. Because unless th...

So, it seems that the answer to my question is not made entirely clear in the body of teachings. Though, according to some interpretations, it is clearly prohibited (not necessarily being homosexual but homosexual behavior).

"The society is different, and so homosexuals living in free societies who wish to practice the Dhamma and the 5 precepts should follow the same advice that was given to heterosexuals in the suttas". I had suspected the modern answer in Buddhist teachings in today's free societies would be...

What do Theravāda teachings say about the subject of homosexuality and about homosexual (and bisexual) people? Thank you.

-Michael