To answer the question of the thread starter: For myself, being "locked" into Theravada by living in Thailand, the Mahayana perspective has certainly been useful. I can say it has enhanced my understanding. My favourites are the Heart Sutra, the Lotus Sutra, the Diamond Sutra, the Mahaparinirvana Su...

I am sorry Ben, but can we speak English rather than Pali? - Remorse is certainly different from shame.

Cheers, Thomas

A nice little story I read some time ago: A rabbi once met a Buddhist monk. The monk invited the rabbi into his temple, but the rabbi refused saying, "I am not allowed to enter a house of idol worship". The monk asked why. The rabbi answered, "Because worshipping an object is an affront to G-d". The...

Individual wrote:The story suggests a continuity of personality between the dead money-lender and the buffalo, that the behavior or mind of the previous being was implanted in the buffalo.

Are you saying there is no continuity?

Cheers, Thomas

Hi guys, I've just graduated from a Christian high school. In my school, there are 15% of Buddhist students. All of the students must learn the religion lesson for 3 years, which in the end, we had to do the final test. In that test, the teacher asked me: Do you fear of God? That was a tricky quest...

Judging from the abstract, Duncan McCargo has indeed hit the nail on the head. Not that Thailand is an exception. Most governments like to use religion as a controlling force, thus they emphasise orthodoxy and authoritarian structures.

Cheers, Thomas

This suggests to me that to the extent we are in a position to infuence how another person might engage with the world, then if we are able to find a skillful way to help them develop these sukka lokapala, that's a good thing for them and good for all of us. Do you see it differently? Yes, I see th...

Thanks for your answers and for the links. I have put the talk on my MP3 player for early hearing. I agree with Peter that language is tricky here, because it is said that enlightenment entails letting go and sloughing off, rather than achieving and gaining. I am however sceptical that even this lat...

Hello Ven. Gavesako, Yes, I've been to Wat Umong several times, though I did not yet have a chance to talk to the monks there. Looking forward to do so. Most temple visits are a busy affair since I tend to go there with family and friends to make offerings to the monks (Thai style). I am thrilled to...

If I understand the Pali terms correctly, they mean (moral) shame and fear. Insofar, the phrase "inspiring fear and shame" is an oxymoron, because that would be the very opposite of inspiration, namely "de-inspiration", instilling, or deterring. Fire and brimstone spring to mind, Avici hell and such...

Apparently the notions of Tathāgatagarbha (Buddha embryo or Buddha matrix) and Buddha-dhātu (Buddha nature) are not part of the Theravada teaching. However, I see a logical problem with the concept of arahatship and enlightenment in Theravada without the notion of Buddha-dhātu. If enlightenment is p...

Hello everyone, My name is Thomas; I am an expatriate living in Thailand since 1993. A lifelong interest in philosophy and psychology brought me to study the Theravada school of Buddhism shortly after moving here. I found it very profound and it has an enduring effect on my life. In addition to Budd...