Search found 74 matches

by Mal
Sun Oct 14, 2012 2:11 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Neurosurgeon's visit to heaven - proof of afterlife?
Replies: 113
Views: 28960

Re: Neurosurgeon's visit to heaven - proof of afterlife?

Ajahn Jayasaro (a Western monk in Thailand) has talked about this issue. He said that given so many cases which suggest something like rebirth taking place (e.g. very small children remembering things they could not have learnt in this life), a true scientist who does not think that rebirth is a pl...
by Mal
Sun Oct 14, 2012 1:56 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: the great rebirth debate
Replies: 7546
Views: 1331080

Re: the great rebirth debate

If one is looking at a one-life-only viewpoint, the multiple-lives-dependent definition of parinibbana is rendered meaningless. Mixing worldviews like this is a logical black hole. To use a possibly clumsy example: it's like believing that there is no God, but that you'll go to Abrahamic-religious ...
by Mal
Sun Oct 14, 2012 1:25 pm
Forum: Study Group
Topic: AN 6.55: Sona Sutta
Replies: 23
Views: 10085

Re: AN 6.55: Sona Sutta

Interesting that the persistence is talked about here not as an isolated faculty, but as one of the five faculties. Where does it say that? How can it be one of the five faculties - aren't these the five sense faculties? [Update: Mike -thanks for alternative translations, now I see it's five SPIRIT...
by Mal
Sun Oct 14, 2012 1:07 pm
Forum: Study Group
Topic: AN 6.55: Sona Sutta
Replies: 23
Views: 10085

Re: AN 6.55: Sona Sutta

Then the Blessed One, as soon as he perceived with his awareness the train of thought in Ven. Sona's awareness — as a strong man might stretch out his bent arm or bend his outstretched arm — disappeared from Vulture Peak Mountain, appeared in the Cool Wood right in front of Ven. Sona, and sat down ...
by Mal
Sun Oct 14, 2012 11:31 am
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: Transitioning from nostril to belly?
Replies: 13
Views: 3983

Re: Transitioning from nostril to belly?

Ajahn Brahm is critical about focusing on the nose too much, suggesting it might lead to "nose perception" rather than "breath perception", so it might be worth you experimenting with his method at this time. He suggests asking yourself how you know you're making an in/out breath...
by Mal
Sun Oct 14, 2012 11:24 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Neurosurgeon's visit to heaven - proof of afterlife?
Replies: 113
Views: 28960

Re: Neurosurgeon's visit to heaven - proof of afterlife?

Blakemore is more dogmatic than Harris. He states bluntly: "The odd perceptions are just the consequences of confused activity in the temporal lobes." How can he say this? The "hard problem of consciousness" is far from solved so he can't delineate a causal link between the tempo...
by Mal
Sun Oct 14, 2012 11:02 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Depression and Right View
Replies: 10
Views: 5039

Re: Depression and Right View

Your symptoms are often seen in those who try too hard to just intellectually brow-beat themselves into desirelessness. But the intellectual view brings none of the joy and freedom that direct knowledge does. So I would recommend, as Ben said, just following the Noble Eightfold Path without "w...
by Mal
Sun Oct 14, 2012 10:47 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Is the Buddha sexist
Replies: 35
Views: 9143

Re: Is the Buddhs sexist

dreamov wrote:... women can not become self-enlightened (Buddha), teach self-discovered dhamma and establish a sangha.
Is there a quote in the suttas that supports this position?
by Mal
Sat Oct 13, 2012 12:48 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Depression and Right View
Replies: 10
Views: 5039

Re: Depression and Right View

I have a question on right view of desire and depression. I used to practice Buddhism, and after a while it made me feel empty and made life feel meaningless. I viewed desire as harmful, so I worked to get rid of desire, but it ended up making me depressed, feeling as though everything was pointles...
by Mal
Fri Oct 12, 2012 12:00 pm
Forum: Ordination and Monastic Life
Topic: Is a UK student loan considered debt
Replies: 85
Views: 19880

Re: Is a UK student loan considered debt

Mawkish1983 wrote:Plus, I don't think 'right view' as a doctrinal term includes opinions like those discussed here; I think it refers to the dhamma seals
You are right, of course.

Apologies, should have added a smiley, or better, not have attempted to be ironic.
by Mal
Thu Oct 11, 2012 1:55 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Appearing sanctimonious
Replies: 8
Views: 3050

Re: Appearing sanctimonious

What would be sanctimonious would be to loudly say, "No thanks! I am a Buddhist, and we don't indulge in intoxicants, because this creates very bad kamma. Everyone here who is doing so is doing the wrong thing!" And while that statement might be true... And it might not... an advanced bei...
by Mal
Thu Oct 11, 2012 1:47 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Is the Buddha sexist
Replies: 35
Views: 9143

Re: Is the Buddhs sexist

Isn't the Buddha just stating the facts as he sees them? So just as a woman can't get an erection, she can't be Boss of the Gods. Simple fact, it's just that we can't see it, but the Buddha can (the Boss of the Gods that is...) Women needn't despair though, they can be reborn as a man, and, therefor...
by Mal
Thu Oct 11, 2012 1:35 pm
Forum: Ordination and Monastic Life
Topic: Is a UK student loan considered debt
Replies: 85
Views: 19880

Re: Is a UK student loan considered debt

Mawkish1983 wrote:(Just look at how attached to the view 'a UK student loan is not a debt' I am! Regardless of whether it'd inhibit ordination or not, I'm a long way off being ready anyway!)
You cannot be attached to Right View.
by Mal
Wed Oct 10, 2012 1:59 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: web of views
Replies: 19
Views: 5142

Re: web of views

what does one do when they get a wrong view. say someone denies karma. and they know its a wrong view but just cant seem to accept karma. How can you know, in your unenlightened state, if the 'law of karma' is right or wrong? Why not suspend judgement on this? Doing so leads to a calmer mind as you...
by Mal
Wed Oct 10, 2012 12:59 pm
Forum: Ordination and Monastic Life
Topic: Is a UK student loan considered debt
Replies: 85
Views: 19880

Re: Is a UK student loan considered debt

the issue is if the government/law/the lender sees it as debt not other money lenders. The lender and government, surely, have nothing to do with it. If the CEO of Lloyds TSB or the Prime Minister grumble about too many students "running away to be monks" then such grumbling should be ign...