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Questions tagged [buddhism]

a religion of eastern and central Asia that is based on the teachings of Gautama Buddha

a religion of eastern and central Asia that is based on the teachings of Gautama Buddha

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Wholesome Actions in Buddhist Philosophy

I was thinking about whether the goal of a wholesome action in Buddhist philosophy is to reduce suffering (dukkha) or to "shrink" the roots of suffering, namely craving, desire or aversion (the three poisons). In fact, there are actions that…
JoJo
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Trying to understand koan, Buddhist philosophy

I'm having a hard time trying to understand a koan from the Introduction of Mathematics Made Difficult, by Carl E. Linderholm "One of the great Zen masters had an eager disciple who never lost an opportunity to catch whatever pearls of wisdom might…
jeyron blasse
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Validation of Enlightenment in Buddhism

What standards are used to evaluate and validate the potential enlightenment one may have achieved in Buddhism? Do these vary between Theravada and Mahayana traditions, or vary in even more granularity? Lastly, are these tests/evaluations only…
Sunyatman
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Prestige in Buddhist philosophy

What does Buddhist say to all forms of prestige? Starting with high-school popularity, social status, being regarded as intelligent, or honest. Should Buddhists try to build these as long as they are true images of oneself or should we ignore them,…
jParr
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What is Buddhism: and have any Western philosophers got anything ineffable across?

I understood almost all the philosophical texts of the Western countries I read, because the West separates philosophical issues from religious and nationalist issues. But when I read about Buddhism, I do not understand anything! So I'm at a loss as…
The Last Jedi
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Does the question further?

Sometimes, a lay person would approach the Buddha and ask a question, such as, "If I earn all of the money in the world, will she like me?" to which the Buddha would reply, "It does not further". As the answer would not further his ultimate purpose,…
Jossie Calderon
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If our perceptions are not "real", how can common perceptions be explained?

I am trying to understand emptiness (Buddhism). As I understand it, nothing that can be changed, or broken down into smaller parts is inherently real. If my worldly perceptions of emptiness are not inherently real, but created out of some…
Derrick
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What does Ñanavira Thera's Notes on Dhamma mean here, about a one-one correspondence?

This is from Ñanavira's Notes on Dhamma: The notion of sensation, however, as we see from the dictionary's definition, is an abomination from the start—how can one 'perceive the state of one's senses' when it is precisely by means of one's senses…
PDT
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Does Buddhism espouse reincarnation?

If Buddhism asserts "anatta" (no-self), then must it also assert that there is no re-incarnation for lack of a soul to persist over time? I don't know how to square this doctrine of no-self & the way that Buddhists seem to believe in life after…
Thomas Ruble
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Definition and scope of dukkha

The goal of the Buddha's doctrine is said to be the eradication of 'dukkha' variously translated as anguish, stress, unsatisfactoriness, pain... what is the definition of this term as given in the suttas? What is the intended scope of this term?
alex
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Is Buddhism a religion or philosophy?

I am planning to live with Buddhist monks. But I am hesitant. I am not sure whether I shall be able to live with them without leaving my current religion. I think, if Buddhism is a religion, I am bound to face hard times. Because, it will clash with…
user2201
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The unanswered questions

Avyākṛta in sanskrit. The Buddha remained silent when asked these fourteen questions. He described them as a net and refused to be drawn into such a net of theories, speculations, and dogmas. He said that it was because he was free of bondage…
user6917
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Are axioms non-empty?

In Buddhism the concept of inherent existence plays a very important role: an object is "empty" is synonymous with saying that it is dependently originated. So I was looking for non-empty things. Abstracts things, like mathematical proofs for…
draks ...
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Consequences in Buddhist theories of karma

Can't ask on the other stack, nor can I find the answer through google or my notes on what I've read. Do Buddhists talk about the consequences of e.g. wrong action, and do they carry the same karmic results for us even when the wrong action has no…
user71083
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Nagarjuna on the mind body problem?

So I understand the physicists framing of casuality as follows: given an initial value of a system, say a cart on a piece of land. I add a fictitious (and privileged) initial condition, say a push. Then I say I calculate the force on the cart. And…
More Anonymous
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