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Buddhism

Launched Q&A site for people interested in Buddhist philosophy, teaching, and practice.

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Isn't Buddhism a Religion?

aug 14 '15 at 20:33 Flimzy 5,225
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6
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Would questions on other religions which adopted Buddhism be accepted

may 18 '14 at 3:59 jabahar 201
4
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2
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How do we keep questions about doctrine from devolving into endless debate and discussion?

apr 28 '14 at 7:49 Donaudampfschifffreizeitfahrt 7,544
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What are the guidelines (next to the obvious ones) that new proposals should adhere to?

oct 28 '12 at 17:32 Community♦ 1
20
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What needs to be done to prevent this proposal from stagnating?

oct 24 '12 at 10:11 Community♦ 1

discuss this proposal

116 Example Questions (1 closed)

active newest votes
up vote 7 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 '13 at 3:50
up vote 7 down vote
What is the Buddhist way to deal with cockroaches in the kitchen? I don't mind them now but worry that they will multiply and get out of hand.
added by eug May 22 '13 at 14:16
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up vote 5 down vote
I'm not a Buddhist. I don't believe in rebirth or Bodhisattvas. Can I still benefit from Buddhist meditation practices?
added by Dan Hulme Apr 6 '13 at 22:55
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That is a very good question many people may ask and want to find the answer. – Rabbit Jun 5 '13 at 23:13
up vote 4 down vote
Why are some buddhist tantra texts considered secret?
added by raoulsson Jun 4 '13 at 14:56
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up vote 3 down vote
Is Enlightenment an event, a realization of the nature of reality, a state of being, or all of the above?
added by Trish Rempel Feb 7 '13 at 16:56
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As a beginner in Buddhist philosophy, this is a question I might ask. – Trish Rempel Feb 7 '13 at 16:57
up vote 3 down vote
How important is the teacher in Buddhism? Is it enough to read books and meditate at home to be a Buddhist?
added by Rabbit May 6 '13 at 1:42
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up vote 2 down vote
What are the (main) differences between Buddhism and other common religions?
added by CRoshanLG Nov 8 '12 at 6:43
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It's creator, His's teaching, goals, methods, philosophy. – catpnosis Nov 17 '12 at 7:38
2  
Won't such general outlines not more appropriate at places like Wikipedia, as specific chapters of a general article? Well, my opinion about this is a bit weak: I remember some years ago I'd possibly asked the same question - but today I won't even open the question to read that expectable comments & answers..., discussions from contrary viewpoints... - so I'd discourage to reduce oneself to such broad questions (... "to reduce to...broad..." :-) that may sound paradoxical but contains a/my special view on a couple of things ) – Gottfried Helms Dec 8 '12 at 14:16
First of all that is very good question don't know why only few votes here, answering the question: I think there only one a notable difference it is the teaching of dependent origination. – morozovm Mar 1 '13 at 18:45
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 '13 at 18:14
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up vote 2 down vote
How do the conceptualizations of "hell" differ between different sects of Buddhism?
added by Hrafn Feb 5 '13 at 7:00
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up vote 2 down vote
What is a difference between samādhi and dhyāna?
added by sviter Feb 14 '13 at 16:39
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<comments removed> @trideceth12 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 '13 at 14:17
up vote 2 down vote
Is meditation posture practical or esoteric: is the meditation mudra solely a way to self monitor? Why sit in the full lotus position?
added by MετάEd Apr 16 '13 at 4:37
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up vote 2 down vote
If you eat meat you are indirectly responsible the death of a creature?
added by Maduka Jayalath Jun 2 '13 at 11:10
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up vote 1 down vote
Has a decision already been made to the effect that Ogyen Trinley Dorje will become the 15th Dalai Lama?
added by Drux Oct 24 '12 at 18:06
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1  
Personally I think this is a good question for a potential site on Buddhism, because it is clearly related to the topic and I would not ask it on Philosophy beta or another existing site. – Drux Oct 24 '12 at 18:18
3  
Hmm, I thought we wanted a site for Q&A in "facts" , not in prognoses? – Gottfried Helms Oct 25 '12 at 7:25
But then notice that what is asked is not whether he may become the next Dalai Lama (yes, he may), but whether a decision to that effect has in fact already been taken (as Colin Goldner claims). I'd argue that you can expect perhaps as factual an answer as on several of the other example questions (which is not good or bad per se IMO). – Drux Oct 25 '12 at 15:34
1  
So why not ask simply, whether such a decision has been made (by whom?) ? Instead, the question focuses on speculation: "whether we can assume" is still a speculation. And frankly speaking: that way of arguing is feeding my reserve against the thema "Buddhism" on a Q&A-site as becoming a place of talkativity – Gottfried Helms Oct 26 '12 at 4:40
@Gottfried Helms frankly I do not see the difference (I usually assume only what I have good reason to assume, and you were reminding us about "facts", not facts :), but then I am not a native speaker either, so I will rephrase the question. Thx for your response. – Drux Oct 26 '12 at 6:48
show 7 more improvement suggestions
up vote 1 down vote
Where should a new-comer go to learn about Buddhism?
added by yuttadhammo Nov 18 '12 at 11:37
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Too broad a question IMO. – Drux Nov 25 '12 at 8:38
From buddhist teacher or buddhist monk, I guess. – catpnosis Nov 28 '12 at 22:07
4  
It is a surely broad, and yet many students of Buddhism begin with exactly this question. I think this gets to the heart of the purpose of the site. The original StackOverflow site frowns upon broad questions like this, but then StackOverflow is a site about programming where questions should be well-defined and answers should be definitive and backed by substantive evidence rather than opinion. Should a site about Buddhism be constrained in the same way? – user246 Dec 3 '12 at 17:07
I would hope if this question was asked that we would help them focus the question. I think we should also come up with a FAQ that answers this question with conscensous so that we can just point to the FAQ. I would hate to see the question poster awarding McDhamma the 'best' answer. – alex Jan 13 '13 at 3:56
up vote 1 down vote
I heard that Buddha said there is no soul. Is that true?
added by Jordan Rothstein Nov 18 '12 at 19:54
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2  
Question should perhaps be rephrased without "I heard that". – Drux Nov 24 '12 at 21:34
2  
Is what true? That the Buddha indeed said X or that X is true? – zvolkov May 7 '13 at 13:03
up vote 1 down vote
In a Buddha's lives prior to enlightenment, what prevents him from entering cessation prematurely as a Paccekabuddha?
added by Unaffixed Nov 24 '12 at 5:49
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1  
You could rephrase this as "What causes a Buddha to teach the Dhamma?" It is a good question, as the Buddha Gautama's first intention was not to teach the Dhamma. – trideceth12 Feb 27 '13 at 13:50
up vote 1 down vote
How accurate are the Buddha's teachings about the beginnings of the universe and our planet based on current scientific understanding?
added by Unaffixed Nov 24 '12 at 6:17
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I think it is not based on current scientific understanding at all. – catpnosis Nov 28 '12 at 21:39
4  
I think it is a leading double question, skips over, and implies a false assertion. The two questions are (1) "what is the Buddha's teachings about the beginnings...?" and because the answer is null (the Buddha refused to speculate on such things) there is no need to ask (2) "How accurate ... based on current scientific understanding?" – alex Jan 14 '13 at 4:33
up vote 1 down vote
If devas are said to exist in other realms, why is it also said that some live in the trees of this realm?
added by Unaffixed Nov 24 '12 at 6:37
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up vote 1 down vote
What type of 'thinking' (vitakka) is present during the first jhana?
added by alex Jan 10 '13 at 18:10
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up vote 1 down vote
Assuming that eventually all people achieve enlightenment, does this mean that eventually no one will have to get be reborn?
added by Nikita Feb 13 '13 at 19:05
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1  
related question: area51.stackexchange.com/proposals/45110/buddhism/… – Hamlet Mar 10 '13 at 3:13
up vote 1 down vote
In the Buddhist story, why didn't the old man eat the moon rabbit, accepting his gift of himself as food?
added by Chris Travers May 7 '13 at 14:38
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up vote 1 down vote
When were women first welcomed into Buddhist orders?
added by Dan Hulme May 8 '13 at 6:12
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up vote 1 down vote
What is the difference between the 3 unwholesome roots and the 10 courses of unwholesome action? What is the purpose of each?
added by Wideshanks May 27 '13 at 16:52
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up vote 1 down vote
What did the Buddha teach about magic and fortune telling?
added by Maduka Jayalath Jun 2 '13 at 10:59
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up vote 1 down vote
Is there any evidence of Buddhist thought influencing ancient greek philosophies such as Stocism, Scepticism, Epicureanism etc..
added by Crab Bucket Jun 6 '13 at 12:25
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up vote 0 down vote
Is it correct to state that Pema Chödron is of the Mahayana tradition?
added by Drux Oct 24 '12 at 20:31
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You might want to look here for additional context. Pls notice that on a beta or an operational site, a question would come with several paragraphs of additional text, whereas here in Area 51 it does not. BTW, why don't you help out by contributing some questions of your own? And BTW, this questioner firmly believes that Pema Chödron is not of the Mahayanna (sic!) tradition :) – Drux Jan 14 '13 at 4:28
Well stated @Drux . I withdraw the motion to axe the question. But I believe my point is valid: unless there is some reason (indicated in the opening question or body of the question) why one should doubt common sources such as Wikipedia, we should not entertain elementary questions. ... I have asked questions that I would likely ask and I would like to see and answer. They appear not to be superficial enough to be upvoted. – alex Jan 14 '13 at 12:53
@Alex I agree with you about standard questions (see e.g. my comment about "difference between the Theravada, Mahayana ..." I have no problem with axing (or alexing :) my questions (and the forum seems sadly defunct anyway), but I honestly can't tell about Pema Chödron and Wikipedia isn't always right. Anyway, thx for a (now) constructive contribution. I'll look at your questions too. – Drux Jan 14 '13 at 13:17
My personal opinion is that she is of the Mahayana school (by virtue of being of the Tibetan school as well). But I'm seeking further confirmation with this question and after consulting Wikipedia, for not everybody agrees (see earlier link). – Drux Jan 14 '13 at 21:24
up vote 0 down vote
Why is karma a better explanation than probability for why good and bad things happen?
added by Unaffixed Nov 24 '12 at 5:54
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Who said it is a better explanation in the first place? and what do you mean by 'better'? – Rabbit May 31 '13 at 15:37
up vote 0 down vote
How is the need for cosmic characters such as King Yama or Mara explained in Buddhism?
added by Unaffixed Nov 24 '12 at 6:01
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Are you asking if there is a literary function/need for these characters? Or cosmological purpose, like a creator, or the turtle upon which the earth rests? If there is a need for such characters would Buddhism describe it? Do Shakespeare's characters describe their dramatic function? Should we expect them to do so? – alex Feb 13 '13 at 6:36
up vote 0 down vote
Osho and buddhism ? Do his interpretations of meditation/Vipassana conform to Buddhist teaching ?
added by Ashika Umanga Umagiliya Jan 10 '13 at 3:48
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The question is good and interesting. However, I don't think we should expect many to know Osho's understanding of Buddhism, meditation, and vipassana. The question must provide a summary or links in the detailed description of the question. – alex Jan 13 '13 at 15:37
up vote 0 down vote
What is the meaning of the term 'emptiness' as given in the Suttas?
added by alex Jan 11 '13 at 3:10
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1  
I ask this question because the Mahayana commentary is not consistent with the suttas with respect to the word and context. I've seen this misunderstanding arise twice on the philosophy discussion. It will certainly occur here, and I hope we'll address it head on. – alex Jan 13 '13 at 15:56
By 'suttas' I assume you are referring exclusively to the Pali Canon? – trideceth12 Feb 27 '13 at 13:42
up vote 0 down vote
All translation is interpretation of some sort; What is a good method for seeing through the bias of translators?
added by alex Jan 11 '13 at 3:21
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I think learning Pali could be a good idea. – azev Jan 11 '13 at 22:37
True but then you're not seeing through the translator, you've pushed him entirely off the boat. :) – alex Jan 12 '13 at 5:20
Good point. Perhaps a monk could address this question properly. (; – azev Jan 14 '13 at 17:33
up vote 0 down vote
Is it defensible or useful to translate sankhara as conditioned?
added by alex Jan 14 '13 at 4:15
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up vote 0 down vote
Is it possible to leave physical plane during meditation, by raising your vibrational frequency?
added by ertx Jan 28 '13 at 13:14
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1  
This question may be better suited to a humor forum. – user246 Feb 7 '13 at 17:08
up vote 0 down vote
Is shamatha without an object the same practice of zazen?
added by Yamaneko Feb 15 '13 at 20:41
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up vote 0 down vote
Was Tan Ajahn Chah a contemporary or a disciple of Tan Ajahn Mun?
added by trideceth12 Feb 27 '13 at 13:40
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up vote 0 down vote
Is there such a thing as Buddhist therapy, or a kind of therapy that employs Buddhist ideas?
added by Eyal Apr 7 '13 at 20:02
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up vote 0 down vote
Is Dharma the same between Hinduism and Buddhism, or does the word represent a different concept in each?
added by Mark Booth Apr 12 '13 at 23:56
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up vote 0 down vote
Is zazen practised for its own sake, or as a means to end suffering? Experts seem to say different things.
added by MετάEd Apr 16 '13 at 4:29
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up vote 0 down vote
When Suzuki-roshi speaks about appeasing the inmost desire, what does that mean? Is it different for everyone, or is there a universal inmost desire?
added by MετάEd Apr 16 '13 at 4:41
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up vote 0 down vote
Which schools of Buddhism eschew non-scientific metaphysical claims?
added by Dave Apr 19 '13 at 14:53
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