Search found 653 matches

by KathyLauren
Sat Jan 28, 2023 10:11 pm
Forum: Tibetan Buddhism
Topic: New potential buddist monk questions while living outside the temple
Replies: 27
Views: 1493

Re: New potential buddist monk questions while living outside the temple

The Buddha had nothing to say about transgender people. The closest he got to saying anything was in this passage from the Vinaya: Now at that time the sexual features of a woman appeared on a certain monk. They told the Blessed One about this matter. [He said,] “Monks, I allow the same teacher, the...
by KathyLauren
Tue Dec 27, 2022 1:58 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Depreciating Christmas
Replies: 62
Views: 3198

Re: Depreciating Christmas

Also, Ukrainian Christians used to celebrate Christmas in early January but many celebrated on December 25 after their church's break from the Russian Orthodox church, some saying they preferred to celebrate with Europe. On the Canadian Prairies, "Ukrainian Christmas", Jan 7th (= Dec 25th...
by KathyLauren
Sun Dec 25, 2022 1:57 pm
Forum: Discovering Mahayana Buddhism
Topic: If my eons of negative karma are purified through Mahayana buddhist practice, then why am I still suffering?
Replies: 22
Views: 2547

Re: Why am I still suffering despite my daily Nembutsu practice?

But... Why am I still suffering? Why am I still facing so much hardships, pain, and adversity in my life? The short answer: Too many eons, not enough practice. The shorter answer: Patience, Grasshopper. It is not like flipping a switch: saying the magic words and - Shazam! - all is well. It takes t...
by KathyLauren
Sat Dec 24, 2022 11:40 pm
Forum: Mahāyāna Buddhism
Topic: Is there an eternal hell in Buddhism?
Replies: 17
Views: 1331

Re: Is there an eternal hell in Buddhism?

It is not forever. It just seems like forever when you are there. :tongue:

Om mani padme hum
Kathy
by KathyLauren
Sat Dec 24, 2022 6:39 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Depreciating Christmas
Replies: 62
Views: 3198

Re: Depreciating Christmas

That's a very good opportunity to practice six perfections and Bodhicitta. :good: Yes, this. I object to the enforced participation. I lost count of how many conversations like this I had with my mother over the years: K: But I'm Buddhist. M: All religions celebrate something at Christmas time. K: ...
by KathyLauren
Wed Dec 14, 2022 4:14 pm
Forum: Dharma in Everyday Life
Topic: Indian Visa and departure country/city question
Replies: 5
Views: 535

Re: Indian Visa and departure country/city question

My experience was a long time ago, but all they cared about was that you had a valid passport and a visa. You will need to arrange for the visa well ahead of time through the nearest Indian embassy. I had to send them my passport (use registered mail!). It came back with the visa stamped in it. Beca...
by KathyLauren
Sun Dec 04, 2022 3:31 pm
Forum: Dharma in Everyday Life
Topic: Being present is boring
Replies: 15
Views: 836

Re: Being present is boring

And then the thoughts said: “This is being present? There are so many other things I’d rather be doing. ” This is clinging, the cause of suffering. It is progress to be aware of it. That's good. That is all you have to do. Just sit and be aware of the clinging and how it is the cause of suffering. ...
by KathyLauren
Mon Nov 14, 2022 2:24 pm
Forum: Dharma in Everyday Life
Topic: What time of day do you meditate?
Replies: 20
Views: 1513

Re: What time of day do you meditate?

I meditate in the morning, after I wash but before breakfast. Sure I am a bit groggy, but my mornings are governed by routine (a.k.a. "auto-mother") so meditation becomes part of my routine. That way, I am unlikely to forget it or postpone it.

Om mani padme hum
Kathy
by KathyLauren
Thu Nov 10, 2022 2:39 pm
Forum: Mahāyāna Buddhism
Topic: a poll about fifth precept
Replies: 42
Views: 2575

Re: a poll about fifth precept

That's not really a difference, since the Catholics also admit they haven't an explanation. ... Transubstantiation is the Catholic Church's doctrine about what happens to the bread and wine. It's not an explanation of how it happens. This is a perfect example of the lack of inherent existence of ph...
by KathyLauren
Tue Nov 08, 2022 1:48 pm
Forum: Mahāyāna Buddhism
Topic: a poll about fifth precept
Replies: 42
Views: 2575

Re: a poll about fifth precept

are five precepts pre.requisite for tantric initiation? or will people automatically receipt the five precepts after the initiations? or can people take them separately? In my experience, precepts are not required prerequisites for initiations, not are they given automatically as part of initiation...
by KathyLauren
Sun Nov 06, 2022 11:44 pm
Forum: Mahāyāna Buddhism
Topic: a poll about fifth precept
Replies: 42
Views: 2575

Re: a poll about fifth precept

I did not take the fifth precept because I was not sure I could keep it literally. I do mostly keep it in spirit, but I do enjoy an occasional glass of wine. I was told by my preceptor that it was better not to take it if I wasn't sure I could keep it than to take it and then break it. That seemed r...
by KathyLauren
Tue Oct 11, 2022 11:35 pm
Forum: Dharma in Everyday Life
Topic: Why do Americans say "Boo-da", even top academics & ordained masters?
Replies: 11
Views: 1181

Re: Why do Americans say "Boo-da", even top academics & ordained masters?

North Americans have some odd ideas about pronunciation. I grew up in Scotland, and I have a hard time distinguishing among the sounds in your examples. To me, "put", "could", "good", "boot", "fruit", "compute", and "Beirut" all h...
by KathyLauren
Sun Aug 21, 2022 11:12 pm
Forum: Dharma in Everyday Life
Topic: Why is reincarnation "bad"?
Replies: 34
Views: 2239

Re: Why is reincarnation "bad"?

Why shouldn't I want to reincarnate if I want to? I can't imagine not coming back. I can't see the bs of being alive as so bad as to not want to come back. I don't know how to unexist in order to believe that I will come to an end, but in a thousand years I probably won't be the me that I am now. A...
by KathyLauren
Sat Aug 20, 2022 9:12 pm
Forum: Dharma in Everyday Life
Topic: Why is reincarnation "bad"?
Replies: 34
Views: 2239

Re: Why is reincarnation "bad"?

Why are we supposed to attain enlightenment to escape from the cycle of birth, death and rebirth? If something of you survives death and can reincarnate why should you try to prevent it? And where would this energy go once you do leave the cycle? Does enlightenment lead to the knowledge of how to d...
by KathyLauren
Thu Aug 11, 2022 1:14 pm
Forum: Dharma in Everyday Life
Topic: Being a bystander (ethic question)
Replies: 15
Views: 959

Re: Being a bystander (ethic question)

Even if I could somehow subdue these men, should I? Even if it comes at the cost of harming them and risk escalating the situation? Or should I just call the police and chuck what happened up to karma? Calling the police would be the sensible thing to do. They can arrive in sufficient numbers and w...
by KathyLauren
Sat Aug 06, 2022 12:29 pm
Forum: Tibetan Buddhism
Topic: Teacher-Student Consent
Replies: 128
Views: 5468

Re: Teacher-Student Consent

If the guru really is a living Buddha, he can teach me effectively in the conventional way. In my experience, it is the lay members of the community who are most to blame for this mythology. I have never heard a teacher claim special powers. But I have met teachers I did not trust not to take advan...
by KathyLauren
Fri Aug 05, 2022 11:00 pm
Forum: Tibetan Buddhism
Topic: Teacher-Student Consent
Replies: 128
Views: 5468

Re: Teacher-Student Consent

Alas, it appears again because of the emphasis on the role of the guru, TBist scandals seems to involve issues of consent in addition to the above. The ability to refuse consent is short-circuited by the belief that the abuser is incapable of wrongdoing and even to think such a thing is a wrong vie...
by KathyLauren
Fri Aug 05, 2022 5:46 pm
Forum: Tibetan Buddhism
Topic: Teacher-Student Consent
Replies: 128
Views: 5468

Re: Teacher-Student Consent

Alas, it appears again because of the emphasis on the role of the guru, TBist scandals seems to involve issues of consent in addition to the above. The ability to refuse consent is short-circuited by the belief that the abuser is incapable of wrongdoing and even to think such a thing is a wrong vie...
by KathyLauren
Tue Aug 02, 2022 9:09 pm
Forum: Tibetan Buddhism
Topic: Teacher-Student Consent
Replies: 128
Views: 5468

Re: Teacher-Student Consent

I am not comfortable with either extreme. Saying that consent can never be given in a student-teacher relationship is one extreme. Saying that if the (tantric) teacher wants to have sex with you it is the greatest honour and the greatest teaching and you must agree to it is the other extreme. I have...
by KathyLauren
Sun Jul 10, 2022 11:00 pm
Forum: Introductions
Topic: Another human being seeking answers
Replies: 4
Views: 394

Re: Another human being seeking answers

Welcome, mizsty.

Alan Watts is often seen as a controversial figure, but he introduced a lot of people to Buddhism, myself included.

Explore. Read a lot. Ask questions. See if you can find a meditation group or groups and try it/them out to see if any are a good fit.

Om mani padme hum
Kathy

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