Search found 4318 matches

by Bhikkhu Pesala
Sun Jan 02, 2011 8:15 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Access to Insight Bulk Download
Replies: 22
Views: 4785

Re: Access to Insight Bulk Download

Updated with the latest version released on 31st December 2010. The links in the first post are the same.

The original ZIP archive is now 27.6 Mbytes, and my Self-extracting archive is now 15.7 Mbytes, so it looks like a good deal of new material has been added again.
by Bhikkhu Pesala
Sat Jan 01, 2011 10:44 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: An American Buddhist Tradition
Replies: 51
Views: 13735

Re: An American Buddhist Tradition

If the wheel ain't turning, push harder.

Some of you might be surprised just how long it has taken for the English Sangha Trust to establish a western monastic tradition in the UK. It did not start with Ajahn Sumedho.
by Bhikkhu Pesala
Fri Dec 31, 2010 11:11 am
Forum: Theravāda for Beginners
Topic: metta sutta mp3
Replies: 6
Views: 2504

Re: metta sutta mp3

Here is a PDF version that I prepared earlier.
by Bhikkhu Pesala
Fri Dec 31, 2010 8:36 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: An American Buddhist Tradition
Replies: 51
Views: 13735

Re: An American Buddhist Tradition

It is OK to chant in English. These things do not take away from the teachings at all and will make it more accessible and comfortable to American sensibilities. Although its OK to chant in English, I disagree that it will not take anything away from the teachings. Which translation will you use? C...
by Bhikkhu Pesala
Thu Dec 30, 2010 5:25 am
Forum: Theravāda for Beginners
Topic: How does Karma transmigrate after death?
Replies: 21
Views: 3241

Re: How does Karma transmigrate after death?

There is a saying, “The child is the father of the man.” Contemplate how kamma done in childhood influences and to some extent determines what you are like later in life. The childhood hopes and dreams are mental kamma, the education and training we receive are physical kamma. The habits we acquire ...
by Bhikkhu Pesala
Wed Dec 29, 2010 4:56 am
Forum: Theravāda for Beginners
Topic: How does Karma transmigrate after death?
Replies: 21
Views: 3241

Re: How does Karma transmigrate after death?

How is this any different to your previous question?

What inherits the Karma if there is Anatta?
by Bhikkhu Pesala
Tue Dec 28, 2010 11:16 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: is ever ok to criticize any Buddhist idea or technique?
Replies: 61
Views: 6921

Re: is ever ok to criticize any Buddhist idea or technique?

I remember a good lesson from Ven. Dr Rewata Dhamma when I was still a young lay person staying with him. I did some carpentry in my youth and I knew how to make a bookcase. The Sayādaw wanted a bookcase, so he bought some ½" pine planks and some 2" nails. I told him that it would need som...
by Bhikkhu Pesala
Tue Dec 28, 2010 10:57 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Do hostile spiritual forces exist?
Replies: 17
Views: 3747

Re: Do hostile spiritual forces exist?

Ven Dhammika describes believing whatever is written in the texts as "Flat Earth Buddhism," but that is not how I describe it. Flat Earth Buddhism, for me, means dismissing whatever is beyond your own personal experience. For example, if one stands on the cliff tops at Dover, one can see F...
by Bhikkhu Pesala
Mon Dec 27, 2010 6:49 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Where does the Buddha describe ways to get rid of ill will?
Replies: 9
Views: 1539

Re: Where does the Buddha describe ways to get rid of ill will?

I have thought of it that way, but how else would you sever the unwholesome roots? By using one the other six methods — gaining insight into ill-will as a mental process that is impermanent, unsatisfactory, and not-self, for example. My point is, that unless we are non-returners, ill-will and anger...
by Bhikkhu Pesala
Mon Dec 27, 2010 1:00 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Where does the Buddha describe ways to get rid of ill will?
Replies: 9
Views: 1539

Re: Where does the Buddha describe ways to get rid of ill will?

If you want to get rid of something, isn't that itself ill-will? :stirthepot: Sabbāsava Suttta "Bhikkhus, I declare [that there is] the extinction of āsavas in one who knows and sees, and not in one who does not know and see. Bhikkhus! What is known and what is seen by one in whom I declare [th...
by Bhikkhu Pesala
Mon Dec 27, 2010 10:09 am
Forum: Theravāda for Beginners
Topic: How to 'pay'
Replies: 8
Views: 1837

Re: How to 'pay'

retrofuturist wrote:Putting money into an envelope may be an option as well... this way they're handling envelopes, not money.
:juggling:

See Money Makes the World Go Round
by Bhikkhu Pesala
Mon Dec 27, 2010 9:45 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Which leads to more harm unawareness or vindictiveness?
Replies: 25
Views: 4040

Re: Which leads to more harm unawareness or vindictiveness?

I think the issue is not about prompted vs unprompted, but associated with wrong view (ditthigata sampayutta) vs dissociated from wrong view (ditthigata vippayutta). This applies to unwholesome consciousness rooted in greed (lobhamūla citta). Premeditated killing is prompted consciousness, while spo...
by Bhikkhu Pesala
Sun Dec 26, 2010 1:18 pm
Forum: Theravāda for Beginners
Topic: Hi, I just have a few questions about Buddhism
Replies: 22
Views: 6397

Re: Hi, I just have a few questions about Buddhism

If the intention to kill is absent, the first precept is not broken, even though one is aware that some insects will be killed due to one's actions, e.g. mowing a lawn or driving a car on a motorway. One cannot fail to notice the dead bodies in the grass cuttings or on the windscreen, but the intent...
by Bhikkhu Pesala
Sun Dec 26, 2010 10:30 am
Forum: Classical Theravāda
Topic: The suffering as fourth messenger
Replies: 4
Views: 1387

Re: The suffering as fourth messenger

Yes, there is another sutta that describes five divine messengers: The Devaduta Sutta

1. A new-born infant
2. An old person
3. A sick person
4. A criminal being punished
5. A dead person.
by Bhikkhu Pesala
Sun Dec 26, 2010 10:21 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Who defined near & far enemies of the Brahma-viharas?
Replies: 11
Views: 4034

Re: Who defined near & far enemies of the Brahma-viharas?

You should have no doubt that lust and affection are the enemies of loving-kindness (metta). An entire chapter of the Dhammapada is devoted to the dangers of Affection . What the ordinary person with an undeveloped mind thinks of as love is defiled by affection, attachment, possessiveness, and lust....