Search found 314 matches

by _anicca_
Thu Aug 02, 2018 9:16 am
Forum: Samatha Bhāvana
Topic: the 6R for Right Effort?
Replies: 7
Views: 4500

Re: the 6R for Right Effort?

Bhante Vimalaramsi is not the best resource out there.

His approach is very gimmicky and not tailored to the individual.

Of course, if all you have is a hammer, then everything is a nail.
by _anicca_
Thu Aug 02, 2018 9:14 am
Forum: Samatha Bhāvana
Topic: samatha retreats/teachers
Replies: 22
Views: 10183

Re: samatha retreats/teachers

Wat Yan (Ajahn Suchart) is also samatha oriented.

I stayed there this summer. It is in a forest an hour from Pattaya.
by _anicca_
Thu Aug 02, 2018 9:11 am
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: Pa Auk Sayadaw
Replies: 15
Views: 7091

Re: Pa Auk Sayadaw

He is a very good teacher. His practice revolves around commentarial style jhana ("deep" jhana) up until you develop the 4th jhana, and then you begin investigating rupa and nama. I would say his method is very personalized. He has a book called 'Knowing and Seeing' which is a good startin...
by _anicca_
Thu Aug 02, 2018 12:24 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Transgenders?
Replies: 5
Views: 1300

Re: Transgenders?

It's a contentious issue...

Whatever conclusion you come to, do not allow it to put a damper on your practice.
by _anicca_
Thu Aug 02, 2018 12:22 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: What is the contact? Can we experience the contact?
Replies: 25
Views: 2878

Re: What is the contact? Can we experience the contact?

"See only the seen": don't get caught in craving and clinging: your own personal narrative.
by _anicca_
Tue Jul 17, 2018 6:26 pm
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: Metta Prayer and Anatta
Replies: 8
Views: 2409

Re: Metta Prayer and Anatta

For metta bhavana, you focus on the feeling that it creates (metta) and not so much the phrases. The phrases are used as primers, and you can even drop them if you like and just direct that feeling towards the concept of self.

Metta bhavana is a conceptual practice.
by _anicca_
Tue Jul 17, 2018 6:23 pm
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: Mindfulness of Breathing
Replies: 15
Views: 3973

Re: Mindfulness of Breathing

He trains himself, 'I will breathe in steadying the mind.' He trains himself, 'I will breathe out steadying the mind.' Imo, this does not refer to jhana because awareness of breathing remains. Imo, all of MN 118 is neighbourhood concentration. [/quote] The factors he list accompanying the knowledge...
by _anicca_
Tue Jul 17, 2018 6:13 pm
Forum: Dhammic Stories
Topic: How Buddhist meditation kept the Thai boys calm in the cave
Replies: 4
Views: 2996

Re: How Buddhist meditation kept the Thai boys calm in the cave

People in the Buddhist circles are speaking about this as if meditation saved them from the cave.

I'm certain that meditation was just a small part of the coping process, and much less important than the medication, food, and help they received.
by _anicca_
Mon Jul 16, 2018 12:14 am
Forum: Early Buddhism
Topic: Are there two types of satipaṭṭhāna; where one type has jhana?
Replies: 34
Views: 7085

Re: Are there two types of satipaṭṭhāna; where one type has jhana?

All meditation incorporates satipatthana, but it depends on how you respond to the influx of phenomena that determines if you are developing insight or samadhi. In traditional concentration meditation, you place the mind on one object and use effort to keep it there regardless of what feelings come ...
by _anicca_
Wed Jul 11, 2018 12:45 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Can we teach Anicca, Dukkha , Anatta without the teaching of rebirth and Kamma?
Replies: 43
Views: 5589

Re: Can we teach Anicca, Dukkha , Anatta without the teaching of rebirth and Kamma?

You could, but it wouldn't have it's full depth or impact. It's the same with most other things in Buddhism, once you remove rebirth and kamma.

It then becomes a secular therapy.
by _anicca_
Fri Jul 06, 2018 2:50 am
Forum: Sīla
Topic: Sex before marriage
Replies: 62
Views: 16877

Re: Sex before marriage

Thai culture perverts Buddhism. Any culture does.
by _anicca_
Fri Jul 06, 2018 12:30 am
Forum: Sīla
Topic: What drugs were there in Ancient India?
Replies: 16
Views: 4448

Re: What drugs were there in Ancient India?

Smoking and gambling don't violate the 5th precept. An addiction, like to food or sex, that does not directly cause the brain to become intoxicated does not violate the precept. People who are binge eaters, smokers, and gamblers very much have their wits about them compared to smoking pot or drinkin...
by _anicca_
Fri Jul 06, 2018 12:26 am
Forum: Samatha Bhāvana
Topic: Brahmaviharas as a main meditation Practice?
Replies: 16
Views: 6161

Re: Brahmaviharas as a main meditation Practice?

The brahmaviharas are just used to counter another unwholesome state (for instance, metta to counter ill-will) and they aren't meant as a main practice. The abhidhamma describes the brahmaviharas as only being useful for people of a certain temperament. However, a kamatthana - like anapanasati or th...
by _anicca_
Fri Jul 06, 2018 12:23 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Is it possible for deva to get ordain ?
Replies: 7
Views: 1257

Re: Is it possible for deva to get ordain ?

JamesTheGiant wrote: Wed Jul 04, 2018 4:26 am
There's a fun and sad story about a giant Naga serpent who wanted to be a monk, and died of sadness when the Buddha said no. Someone else can post the story here, I'm not sure where to find it.
Yes, as another has mentioned this is how the anagarika started.
by _anicca_
Fri Jul 06, 2018 12:20 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Rebirth question
Replies: 34
Views: 4428

Re: Rebirth question

LuisR wrote: Thu Jul 05, 2018 4:43 pm If i die in Canada can I be reborn in another country or will i be reborn in Canada?
No way of knowing. It all depends on kamma.

However, if someone is particularly attached to their house they could be reborn as a bug inside that house.

This is all theoretical...