Thanks Spiny Norman. I appreciate that.

Agreed. The cost is too great and there's little to gain.

I feel responsible; I was certainly involved in the discussion and I certainly handled it unskillfully. Strange how things have a tenancy to be brought to mind at odd times.

I think I remember that whole sorry affair. It's a shame it lead to the exodus. Does anyone know if those who left are doing okay? Annapurna is another name that springs to mind.

I hope they're okay.

It just occurred to me that Fede has been missing for quite some time and there was no indication of them planning a hiatus. Does anyone know if Fede is alright?

Everyone has the capacity to rid themselves of the defilements of greed, aversion and delusion, so everyone has the capacity of reducing their dukkha-sources to nothing. If that state of zero defilements is labelled 'Buddha nature', then everyone has it, plus the defilements. To me, though, it is li...

Hello how's the health?

This book is the very next one on my reading list and I just finished the previous book, so I'll be starting it tonight.

Odd for me to be only just reading such a praised book about Theravada only now, given that I've been practising Theravada for years, but hey ho.

samseva wrote:It says: BBC iPlayer TV programmes are available to play in the UK only.

Uh huh, so try this: https://youtu.be/ZMHUI3Z64WI

This is a very short interview with HHDL: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b061yf3v My review: I am not particularly impressed with the interviewer, who cuts HHDL off a few times and doesn't really give him long enough to formulate an answer before bouncing on to the next topic. I got the impression ...

My daughter provides an endless supply of opportunities to develop the brahmaviharas, like here: She decided to help out with the washing by pulling it all out of the machine when our back was turned. Developing equanimity is an important part of the Dhamma.

I think I understand where a few people are coming from who say that all killing has an element of hatred as a component of motivation: not necessarily hatred for the animal, but hatred for seeing it suffer. In the case of the fishermen, hatred of the idea of being without enough fish to earn enoug...

Lots of talk about euthenasia of pets, but what about euthenasia of an animal you have no previous relationship with? Without that strong aversion to a companion's suffering, can it still be compassionate/humane to end the life of a suffering animal? I think I understand where a few people are comin...

Out of curiosity, are there any sutta references where the Buddha suggested killing could be compassionate? Are these morally-grey areas every presented? I vaguely recall the Buddha condoning national armies, yet condemning violence: some middle way approach is neccessary to reconcile this apparent ...

Sorry to be blunt, but I didn't want to discuss if it was ever acceptable to kill, nor whether it was a violation of the first precept, I simply was curious about whether the claim that euthenasia can be 'humane' was justifiable or not. If my opinion is sought about whether killing an animal is ever...