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Buddhism

Proposed Q&A site for people interested in Buddhist philosophy, teaching, and practice.
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Isn't Buddhism a Religion?

may 7 at 14:35 Chris Travers 680
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What are the guidelines (next to the obvious ones) that new proposals should adhere to?

oct 28 at 17:32 Drux 329
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What needs to be done to prevent this proposal from stagnating?

oct 24 at 10:11 Gottfried Helms 151

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85 Example Questions (1 closed)

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up vote 15 down vote
All religions seem to have creation stories. How do Buddhists explain the creation of the world/universe
added by Crab Bucket Oct 30 '12 at 12:54
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2  
please don't upvote this question anymore, it already has 10 votes, and we need other questions to reach that threshold too so that this proposal can move to the beta stage. – Christofian Dec 22 '12 at 19:20
3  
Please vote whatever you consider a good question, regardless of its current score. "Optimizing" your votes against a threshold of 10 upvotes is a false friend and may harm the proposed site in the future phases. – bytebuster Jan 2 at 23:34
up vote 14 down vote
According to Buddhists teachings there is no soul or a "self" (anatman). So how can one be reborn?
added by THelper Oct 24 '12 at 7:27
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<comments removed> @Drux Please do not use comments to answer these questions. This proposal is not part of a Q&A site, and the task at hand is to help define what is on and off topic for a site. Comments are here to help improve the questions; not to answer them. See What is the rationale for deleting answers? Thank you. – Robert Cartaino♦ Apr 19 at 13:49
up vote 12 down vote
What are the main differences between God(s) mentioned in Buddhism & other religions?
added by Nalaka526 Oct 8 '12 at 16:42
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7  
Guys, don't answer the questions - comments here are for expressing opinion on their suitability for the proposal. Read the faq. – Yuttadhammo Nov 18 '12 at 11:32
up vote 11 down vote
Is it wrong if I kill an animal mistakenly?
added by Nalaka526 Oct 15 '12 at 2:34
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10  
In the context of Buddhism it might be better to refer to wrong or unskillful action instead of sin. – Drux Oct 15 '12 at 18:31
@Drux Of cource, I too think so... – Nalaka526 Oct 16 '12 at 3:15
2  
No, if it is unintentional. But it still may be accounted as heedless action. – catpnosis Oct 23 '12 at 23:04
@durex, @alex Updated the question... :) – Nalaka526 Jan 12 at 5:24
up vote 11 down vote
According to Buddhism, where are heaven and hell located?
added by Nalaka526, edited by Yuttadhammo Nov 18 '12 at 11:32
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<comments removed> @catpnosis Please do not use comments to answer these questions. This proposal is not part of a Q&A site, and the task at hand is to help define what is on and off topic for a site. Comments are here to help improve the questions; not to answer them. See What is the rationale for deleting answers? Thank you. – Robert Cartaino♦ Apr 19 at 13:50
@Robert Cartaino. Should I take your opinion (or linked answer) as the final Truth? Becasue you are omniscient like Buddha? I have different opinion of what should be in comments. And I believe my answers improved questions. – catpnosis Apr 19 at 17:17
3  
@catpnosis Yes, basically. You're working against the purpose for which these features were added. I can appreciate your enthusiasm for getting started with your "pre-answers" (a term which made us chuckle over here), but this is not a Q&A site, and we're not going to start hosting answers to these hypothetical questions like an old-style free-for-all discussion forum. These features all serve a very specific purpose and we can't really allow them to be re-purposed like that without actively disrupting the process for which they were created. Give it time. You'll have your site soon enough. – Robert Cartaino♦ Apr 19 at 18:45
up vote 11 down vote
Is modern Theravada and ancient Sthaviravada are same school?
added by catpnosis Nov 3 '12 at 13:38
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Second line of what article of Wikipedia? And this is not yes/no question, and I don't care about yanas in this question either. What I want to see is arguments how much modern Theravada is similar or dissimilar to ancient Theravada. (Not about name change.) What if modern Theravada is not Theravada school at all? For example, Milindapanha is non-theravadin text in theravadin canon. Also note, that I ask about modern Theravada (tradition), not about some particular theravadin text (like pali nikaya only). Include all that is authoritative today. – catpnosis Jan 14 at 12:53
I can't say the comment clears up what answer is desired. Do the practitioners of a certain school consider themselves descended from another school? Do scholars? Do other schools agree? By what criteria is a modern school the same or similar to an ancient school? Practice, language, teachings, life styles, beliefs, hair styles? Unbroken ordination chain? Unaltered preservation of oral and text tradition? – alex Feb 14 at 22:02
@alex Probably scholars opinion is most interesting for me. – catpnosis Feb 15 at 1:35
up vote 11 down vote
Is it necessary for a Buddhist to believe in reincarnation?
added by user246 Nov 30 '12 at 18:15
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<comments removed> Please do not use comments to answer these questions. This proposal is not part of a Q&A site, and the task at hand is to help define what is on and off topic for a site. Comments are here to help improve the questions; not to answer them. See What is the rationale for deleting answers? Thank you. – Robert Cartaino♦ Apr 19 at 13:53
up vote 11 down vote
How can I know that I am clear of thoughts while I am meditating?
added by raukodraug Jan 15 at 19:45
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<comments removed> @alex Please do not use comments to answer these questions. This proposal is not part of a Q&A site, and the task at hand is to help define what is on and off topic for a site. Comments are here to help improve the questions; not to answer them. See What is the rationale for deleting answers? Thank you. – Robert Cartaino♦ Apr 19 at 13:56
up vote 10 down vote
What should one do during meditation?
added by Eric.Void Oct 19 '12 at 23:46
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<comments removed> @Suminda Please do not use comments to answer these questions. This proposal is not part of a Q&A site, and the task at hand is to help define what is on and off topic for a site. Comments are here to help improve the questions; not to answer them. See What is the rationale for deleting answers? Thank you. – Robert Cartaino♦ Apr 19 at 13:54
up vote 10 down vote
What are the main differences between the Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana branches of Buddhism?
added by THelper Oct 23 '12 at 20:59
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1  
What is difference between you and other person? That is very broad question. – catpnosis Oct 23 '12 at 23:09
@catpnosis Ok, I'll rephrase. – THelper Oct 24 '12 at 7:12
4  
IMO answers to such basic questions are best looked up in existing Wikipedia articles or in a FAQ, say. They perhaps don't warrant a new Q&A site. – Drux Oct 24 '12 at 20:15
up vote 10 down vote
How can I use mindfulness meditation to overcome feelings of groundlessness (as described by Pema Chödron)?
added by BenjaLim Oct 24 '12 at 2:32
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up vote 10 down vote
Do I have to be fully vegetarian if I'm following Buddhist teachings, or if I'm meditating?
added by Nalaka526 Oct 24 '12 at 4:27
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up vote 10 down vote
Is it possible to expulse person from being buddhist in Theravada? And if yes, how it 's performed and decided?
added by catpnosis Oct 27 '12 at 11:40
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up vote 10 down vote
Is Zen Buddhism considered part of Mahayana branch or is it merely influenced by it?
added by maple_shaft Nov 6 '12 at 20:36
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up vote 10 down vote
In the Buddhist path to Awakening, what is meant by the need to purify ones mind of karmic tendencies?
added by maple_shaft Nov 6 '12 at 20:42
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up vote 10 down vote
Is Buddhism just another "religion" or is it a philosophical practice?
added by CRoshanLG Nov 8 '12 at 4:44
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I've always difficulties with questions, which ask two different things at the same time. And also, as a buddhist, I wouldn't involve myself in a question "...goes beyond other religions..." other than at most ironic, because it is in a way comparative and -in my view and my experience- introduces much too lightheartedly (and needlessly) diminuishing feelings if the reader incidentally is "in" the other religion. – Gottfried Helms Nov 8 '12 at 6:29
@Gottfried Helms Thank you for your views sir. I've edit the question. – CRoshanLG Nov 8 '12 at 6:34
@Gottfried Helms Thank you for your views sir. I can't understand what you've meant by "diminuishing". I guess it's just a typo. But I think I got the general idea & edited the question. – CRoshanLG Nov 8 '12 at 6:41
Hello CRoshan - nice to see your efforts! Thanks! Well, perhaps it is also time to look deeper at the second part of your original question, and whether one can make some better formulation for what was -possibly- a constructive idea behind it. Sometimes it is just a job of more mindful precision? – Gottfried Helms Nov 8 '12 at 6:51
@Gottfried Helms I've added the second part of the original question as a separate question. Really like to see this develop to an actual SE site. So that all of us can discuss these kind of issues. – CRoshanLG Nov 8 '12 at 7:52
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up vote 10 down vote
Do enlightened beings (arahats) still exist? If so how to identify them?
added by Nalaka526, edited by Yuttadhammo Nov 18 '12 at 11:34
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up vote 10 down vote
Is there a possibility of mental instability (or even mental illness) being caused by meditation?
added by CRoshanLG Nov 14 '12 at 5:00
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<comments removed> @Gottfried Helms Please do not use comments to answer these questions. This proposal is not part of a Q&A site, and the task at hand is to help define what is on and off topic for a site. Comments are here to help improve the questions; not to answer them. See What is the rationale for deleting answers? Thank you. – Robert Cartaino♦ Apr 19 at 13:57
up vote 10 down vote
Is it practical to follow the noble eight-fold path in modern world?
added by CRoshanLG Nov 16 '12 at 5:09
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5  
Yup. Probably easier than ever for those of us with enough resources to sit in front of a computer screen in our spare time. I would prefer to see more detail in the question. It seems to imply the modern world poses challenges, please explicitly state those beliefs. – alex Jan 12 at 4:09
up vote 10 down vote
World population has been ever increasing; from where these souls come from? cannot be only reincarnations because the number is increasing with time!
added by CRoshanLG Nov 16 '12 at 5:15
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up vote 10 down vote
How do I know which type of Buddhism is for me?
added by Yuttadhammo Nov 18 '12 at 11:35
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up vote 10 down vote
Do Buddhists believe in God?
added by Yuttadhammo Nov 18 '12 at 11:35
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up vote 10 down vote
What is the main difference between samatha (tranquility) meditation and vipassana (insight) meditation?
added by Yuttadhammo Nov 18 '12 at 11:36
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up vote 10 down vote
I read that Buddha taught there is no self. How does Buddhism define self? What is the difference between self and soul?
added by Jordan Rothstein Nov 18 '12 at 20:04
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up vote 10 down vote
Is it counter productive to study and practice the teachings of more than one branch of Buddhism (like Vajrayanna and Zen)?
added by azev Dec 25 '12 at 0:33
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up vote 10 down vote
There's no Sangha in my hometown, if I form a Buddhism study group would it be the same as a Sangha?
added by azev Jan 11 at 13:44
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<comments removed> Please do not use comments to answer these questions. This proposal is not part of a Q&A site, and the task at hand is to help define what is on and off topic for a site. Comments are here to help improve the questions; not to answer them. See What is the rationale for deleting answers? Thank you. – Robert Cartaino♦ Apr 19 at 13:56
up vote 9 down vote
How do I become a Buddhist?
added by Crab Bucket Oct 31 '12 at 11:41
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2  
This was a question I was asked by some youngish students when I was presenting at a school. They meant the question sincerely. I appreciate that the question looks simplistic but to become a Christian it might be said that one accept Jesus Christ as ones saviour (or another criteria). What about Buddhism. I welcome suggestions to rephrase or I will happily delete as appropriate – Crab Bucket Feb 14 at 16:17
The question only seems simply because the answer is simple. However, this could lead into requirements of monks, recommended lay practice and precepts, etc. I wonder if one would be satisfied knowing the Buddha discourages practitioners from becoming or that ritual is a hindrance to the path. – alex Feb 14 at 22:10
up vote 7 down vote
Is a belief in reincarnation essential for Buddhism?
added by eug Apr 28 at 9:58
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up vote 5 down vote
Is Buddhism opposed to science?
added by Jordan Rothstein Nov 18 '12 at 18:14
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up vote 5 down vote
Do you need to worship Buddha in order to be a Buddhist?
added by user246 Nov 30 '12 at 18:13
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6  
I hope everyone understands that we are not actually asking questions right now; we are posing questions hat might be typical of what would appear in the proposed forum. Your comments should describe your reaction to the question as an exemplar. If you attempt to answer the question , you are hindering the process. – user246 Dec 2 '12 at 4:54
1  
You probably not completely understand the process you trying to explain. We not "proposing typical questions". Quote from the FAQ: "Propose questions you might ask or want to see answered on the site." – catpnosis Dec 5 '12 at 5:23
up vote 5 down vote
Can a kusala condition act as an agent for an akusala condition (and vice-versa)?
added by azev Jan 7 at 2:51
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I think this is an excellent question with (in theory) a yes or no answer (I just don't know what the answer is). However, a question like "If I kill Hitler before he kills 30 million people...?" should lead to a fascinating discussion but may be inappropriate for SE where we should expect a single 'best' answer. – alex Jan 13 at 3:23
up vote 5 down vote
What is the main purpose of meditation in Buddhism?
added by Prair Jan 27 at 11:19
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up vote 4 down vote
Can some one reach samadahi without mantras ?
added by Alejandro Bastidas Feb 5 at 19:34
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up vote 3 down vote
How do the main Buddhist traditions differ with respect to contemporary views on dāna?
added by Drux Nov 24 '12 at 21:27
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I'm asking this from a Western perspective, because I noticed that there are e.g. all this Theravada-inspired podcasts out for free (e.g. Audiodharma), whereas one usually seems to have to pay for Tibetan-inspired material (e.g. Pema Chödrön's CDs). – Drux Nov 24 '12 at 21:30
up vote 3 down vote
What is the Buddhist concept of karma?
added by user246 Nov 30 '12 at 18:17
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2  
I feel that this type of question should be called something like "lazy question" (a term which I came across sometimes recently in related discussions), and I don't like it that way: it gives the impression, that the asker not even took the most simple impulse to get information in something already written, like wikipedia. It attempts to make the formum members do and do again the same job of explaining the same thing ... Hmm: just an emotion when reading that question-title; maybe in the text of such a question the asker would be more specific and it would catch my couriosity then... – Gottfried Helms Dec 3 '12 at 9:43
@Gottfried Fair point. I think what distinguishes this question is that karma is one of the few Buddhist terms that appears commonly in popular culture, where it is often cast as a sort of spiritual bank account or a synonym for "if you do something bad/good to someone, eventually something bad/good will happen to you". – user246 Dec 3 '12 at 14:13
:-) - yes, that's what I meant with"..maybe in the text of such a question..."... I've read the "Spirituellen Materialismus durchschneiden" (cut spiritual materialism, Chöguam Trungpa) and so there actually exists a certain inner-buddhistic contemplation of that problem. That question would attract more of my positive interest, if such focusing on certain aspects of -for instance- "the reception of the idea of the karma and its potential of mislead and measures in some traditions against such mislead" were visible in the question header. – Gottfried Helms Dec 3 '12 at 15:03
We should expect a basic Wikipedia knowledge but not expect people to have connected the dots. I would like to see a FAQ that includes basic concepts like "the buddha claims to have taught only dukkha and the cessation of dukkha" such that the above "lazy" question might at least be "how is karma significant with regard to nibbana?" – alex Jan 13 at 2:09
Too unspecific. There's way too many different ways to answer this question. – Zetta Suro Mar 1 at 13:08
up vote 3 down vote
Is it better to concentrate in the silence or in the sounds when meditating?
added by raukodraug Jan 15 at 19:45
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Quiet topical, but not clear. Is the question asking about the meditation object as silence rather than a sound; or is the question about absorption versus insight? It's the article 'the' that throws me off: "Concentrate in THE silence" (between sounds or focused on silence) vs. "Concentrate in silence" (as opposed to while watching television). – alex Feb 13 at 5:36
@alex I can see the ambiguity, the question is referred to the silence between sounds and the sounds that arise from silence. – raukodraug Apr 29 at 14:02
up vote 2 down vote
To what extend do Buddhist teachings employ (or cause) paradoxes?
added by Drux Oct 24 '12 at 20:45
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up vote 2 down vote
What is the difference between a fully enlightened Buddha and an Arahant?
added by Yuttadhammo Nov 18 '12 at 11:36
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Btw, Buddha is arahant. – catpnosis Nov 28 '12 at 22:10
Yes but A not necessarily B.... what's the difference between a fully enlightened Buddha and a not-fully enlightened Buddha? – alex Jan 12 at 3:50
up vote 2 down vote
Considering that moral values are different from culture to culture, what defines something as kusala or akusala?
added by azev Jan 7 at 2:57
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up vote 2 down vote
Is a Buddha or Arahant conscious (viññāṇa, vi~n~naa.na) after enlightenment but before death?
added by alex Jan 10 at 18:14
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