Questions tagged [theravada]
The oldest of the two big branches in Buddhism. Theravada tries to follow the original teachings of Gautama Buddha as closely as possible
811
questions
1
vote
1
answer
179
views
Does Theravada have the role of priest like Japanese Mahayana?
I'm aware that they both have monks generally, but what about priests? If so, do they perform the same function?
- 195
-1
votes
1
answer
29
views
Seeking Information on Theravada Bhikkhuni Monasteries in Canada, USA, and New Zealand [closed]
I am a student from the UK interested in pursuing PhD research focused on Bhikkhuni ordination within Theravada Buddhism. As part of my research, I am seeking information on Theravada Bhikkhuni ...
2
votes
1
answer
177
views
What are the suttas in which the Buddha claimed he was greater than the gods?
There are many people, especially from other religions, who say, ‘The Buddha is just a human being; he is not a god,’ but I know the Buddha is greater than the gods because he attained Nirvana by ...
- 81
-2
votes
5
answers
151
views
How do Buddhists separate caste system from itself when Gautama Buddha was so casteist?
There has been many questions on whether Gautama Buddha was casteist or not. The answer to that is, of course he was.
Majjhima Nikaya
If, sometime or other, at the end of a long period, that fool ...
- 231
1
vote
3
answers
117
views
Sexual visualizations during retreats
I’ve been going to Vipassana meditation retreats for a while now. Every single time, I am plagued by sex idea and fantasies, almost like going crazy by it. During the sittings sometimes the whole hour ...
- 431
1
vote
2
answers
126
views
Is copying code online breaking the second precept?
I'm a computer science student striving to uphold the principles of Buddhism, particularly the precept of "not taking which is not given." In my journey to learn coding, there are moments ...
- 11
0
votes
6
answers
197
views
Is Buddha wrong in Dhammapada?
In Dhammapada, verse 129, Buddha states:
All tremble at violence; all fear death.
Putting oneself in the place of another,
one should not kill nor cause another to kill.
Taking this at face value, ...
- 195
2
votes
1
answer
48
views
Can Mahayana Monks ordain Theravadins?
I wonder if Mahayanabhikkhus can perform a Theravadin ordination and have the ordination be recognized as valid by the Theravadin bhikkhusangha without doing dalhikamma?
What if the theravadins do a ...
- 131
5
votes
5
answers
1k
views
Is Buddhism Effective?
I am sure of my ignorance and apologize.
Is Buddhism effective? There are only 28 Buddha since the beginning of perception, right? What hope is there of ever awakening? I am very discouraged. Though ...
- 53
1
vote
2
answers
43
views
Should one be practicing restraint or be practicing mindfulness?
Not that the two are mutually exclusive, but many Theravada teachers warn against practicing restraint in the commonly understood sense of the word.
For example, if I understand correctly, Yuttadhammo ...
- 431
0
votes
2
answers
77
views
Visualization in Body scanning?
Should one visualize while scanning different parts of the body? If not, should one try to suppress it? When I do body scanning practice, automatically an image of the corresponding body part arises ...
- 431
2
votes
1
answer
85
views
Rimé movement and Theravada
I know that Tibetan Buddhism has the Rime movement, which is positioned as non-sectarian Buddhism. But I like Theravada methods. Can I practice Theravada while staying within Tibetan Buddhism?
- 123
2
votes
2
answers
111
views
Origins of Theravada Buddhism
Namaste!
Speaking of Theravada Buddhism, I've seen some authors conflating what we know now as Theravada with the whole Sthavira Nikaya / Sravakayana. So they would say that extinct Sravakayana ...
- 29
5
votes
2
answers
304
views
Is Right Concentration equivalent to the Four Jhanas?
Point 8 of the Noble Eightfold Path is "Right Concentration". According to Wikipedia and at least some of the (Theravada-leaning) books I have read, with Right Concentration the Buddha meant ...
- 153
0
votes
1
answer
41
views
Difference between rahat and maha rahat
This is more directed to someone who understands Sinhalese.
Is there difference between Rahath and Maha rahath? Is it interchangeable?
In the texts some places it says rahath and in some places it ...
- 111